The U.S. Postal Service next month is scheduled to launch the third and final phase of its Automatic Barcode Evaluator (ABE) program which verifies the quality of mailer applied barcodes on mass mailings submitted for automation discounts.
Checking the quality of the barcode ensures its readability by automatic mail sorting equipment while verifying a mailer’s application for postage automation discounts.
Beginning Nov. 15, the USPS is raising the threshold on the percentage of trayed mail of 100 pieces or more that must meet ABE standards from 80% to 90%. That threshold must be met to qualify for a full automation discount.
Mailers will receive a partial postage discount for mailings that are between 80% and 89% barcoded, but will lose their discount eligibility if barcoding falls under 79%.
When the program began in May 1998, the standard was 70% and was raised last February to 80%. Last month the USPS reported that nearly 94% of all mailings tested since February scored above 90% and that just over 4% scored between 80% and 89%.
The mailings failing the test were either corrected by the mailer or the decision was reversed, partially or completely, after an appeal by the mailer, postal officials said.
