Introduction
USPS confirmation services uses UCC/EAN128 barcodes to uniquely identify
mail pieces and to designate the type of services requested. This
barcode encodes the Package Identification Code (PIC), commonly referred
as a tracking number. With Morovia U.S.
Postal Fontware, you are able to produce such barcode in your own
shipping labels in minutes.
This article is based on
USPS Publication 91, published in September 2003. The whole document
can be downloaded
here. (PDF: 849K, 96 pages)
Package ID
The confirmation services use a 20-digit package ID which can be
further divided into four parts:
- Service Type Code - 2-digit
- Customer ID - 9-digit DUNS Number
- Sequential Package ID - 8-digit
- Check Digit - Mod 10
Service Type Code (STC)
Service Type Code are 2-digit designators to represent Postal Service
Classes of mail in conjunction with the postal service being requested.
The detailed list of STC codes can be located in
USPS publication
91, pages 68-70.
Dun & Bradstreet Number (DUNS)
The DUNS uniquely identify a business at specific geographical
locations. If you want to do business with U.S. government you need to
have a DUNS number. The DUNS can be obtained via Internet at
www.dnb.com.
Sequential Package ID
Customers assign an 8-digit sequential package identifier. This
string of numbers can be a variable length field of 2-8 digits.
Check Digit
The check digit is appended at the end of the number to validate the
authenticity of the number. The value of the check digit is that when
added to the sum of other digits in the barcode, results in a total that
is multiple of 10. For example in the diagram above, the check digit for
91801 is 1 since 9+1+8+0+1+1=20 which is two times of 10.
EAN128 Barcode
The barcode uses EAN128 symbology. The
Application Identifier in this case is 91. If you are familiar with
Code128C, it is not difficult to find out the barcode is composed with
six parts:
- Start character (START-C)
- UCC/EAN128 Indicator - FNC1
- Application Identifier, in our case, 91
- 20-digit Package ID, including the check digit;
- Code128 Checksum character
- Stop Character (STOP-C)
The AI and Package ID are required to be printed underneath of the
barcode per USPS requirement.
The function to calculate checksum digit for package ID, as well as
the complete barcode
string for USPS confirmation services
is included in Morovia Font
Tools, which is included in Morovia
U.S. Postal Fontware.
Printing Requirement
The text above the barcode code must read as appropriate: "USPS DELIVERY
CONFIRMATION", "USPS SIGNATURE CONFIRMATION", etc. The font must be sans
serif bold. And the size must be at least 12 points. (14-point type
preferred).
The human readable text representing the barcode must be placed below
the quiet zone of the barcode, and must be printed with a sans serif
bold with minimum point size 10. The AI 91 must be printed at the
beginning of the human readable text.
Two identification bars with at least 0.062" thick must appear
between 0.125 inch and 0.5 inch above and below the human readable text
and numbers to distinguish the Confirmation Services bar code from other
information on the shipping label.
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