Nearly 60% of the 212 billion mail pieces the U.S. Postal Service processes annually is direct mail. But with countless millions of people moving each year, just try to imagine how much marketing material gets returned as undeliverable due to address changes alone.
To limit the amount of undeliverable mail, the USPS is getting creative. Two upcoming initiatives will give mailers new incentives to keep their files current.
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Beginning this month, mailers will have to verify that their address changes are up to date within 95 days of a mailing. The previous guideline was 180 days.
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And next May, the Intelligent Mail barcode is expected to replace the existing Postnet and Planet barcodes on all domestic mail. The USPS will require use of this barcode to qualify for automation discounts.
Intelligent Mail is the result of the postal service’s efforts
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