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What is the origin and development process of Intelligent Mail Barcode?

Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMb) is a barcode used in U.S. mail. The term "Smart Mail" refers to the service provided by the United States Postal Service for domestic mail delivery.

Its historical origins date back to the 1980s, when the United States Postal Service began using POSTNET barcodes to automatically identify postal codes for mail.

In 1996, the U.S. Postal Service introduced the PLANET barcode to track the delivery status of mail.

In 2003, the U.S. Postal Service began developing a new barcode that combined the capabilities of POSTNET and PLANET and added more information capacity and security. This is the prototype of Intelligent Mail Barcode.

In 2006, the United States Postal Service officially released the specifications for Intelligent Mail Barcode, and began full implementation in 2009. It allows mail senders to participate in multiple Postal Service programs simultaneously using a single barcode and expands tracking capabilities for individual pieces of mail, improving visibility into mail flow.

IM barcodes are designed to provide richer information and functionality than their predecessors, POSTNET and PLANET. Intelligent mail barcodes are also known as single-code solutions and 4-state customer barcodes, abbreviated as 4CB, 4-CB or USPS4CB. Complete specifications can be found in USPS document USPS-B-3200.

It effectively combines routing postal code and tracking information contained in previously used postal barcode standards.

IM barcodes are affixed to mails by the sender. Effective January 28, 2013, the Postal Service requires the use of smart mail barcodes to qualify for automated pricing.

The use of IM barcodes can improve overall efficiency, including improved delivery capabilities and new services.

Intelligent Mail Barcode is a highly modulated barcode that can encode up to 31 decimal digits divided into 65 vertical bars. It consists of four different symbols, hence it was once called the 4-State Customer Barcode.

The Intelligent Mail Barcode standard is developed by the United States Postal Service (USPS).

The purpose of this standard is to improve the efficiency of mail sorting and tracking, and to provide more value-added services. Intelligent Mail Barcode combines data from legacy POSTNET and PLANET Code barcodes, as well as other data, into a single barcode.

What are the application scenarios of Intelligent Mail Barcode?

Used to participate in the OneCode Confirm project, which is a service that provides mail delivery confirmation, which can help mail senders understand the arrival time and status of the mail.

Used to participate in the OneCode ACS project, which is an mail address correction service that can help mail senders update mail addresses and reduce bounced mails.

Used to participate in the Full-Service Intelligent Mail project, which is a service that provides mail tracking and reporting to help mail senders optimize mail marketing and management.

Used to participate in the Intelligent Mail Small Business (IMsb) Tool project, an online tool for small businesses that helps them create and print Intelligent Mail Barcodes and submit electronic postage statements.

EasierSoft Barcode Label Design & Bulk Printing Software

---- Use Excel Data to Batch Print Barcodes on Label Sheets or Roll Labels  

---- How to use this barcode software

Download:  Free Barcode Software + Barcode Label Designer Download Free Barcode Software at Softonic      Download at CNET

Once you obtain a GS1/UPC/EAN barcode, or other barcode type and QR code, you can use our free software to batch print barcode labels onto Roll label paper using a professional label printer, or to batch print barcodes onto Avery 5160 label sheets using a regular laser or inkjet printer. Our software has free and paid versions.

The free version fully meets your needs for batch printing GS1/UPC/EAN barcodes. The paid version can import data from Excel and databases to batch print barcode labels with different values.

How to Use & FAQ:

Highlights

Excel integration: Import data directly from Excel to generate and print barcodes in bulk.

Label designer: Create complex labels with multiple barcodes, text, logos, and shapes.

Batch printing: Print thousands of barcodes at once using standard inkjet/laser printers or professional barcode printers.

Flexible editions:

Standard Edition: Simple batch printing with Excel data.

Professional Edition: Adds command-line automation for workflow integration.

Label Designer Edition: Advanced design features for complex labels.

Why Choose Our Barcode Solutions?

Cost-effective: Free online generator and permanent free desktop version available.

Easy to use: No technical expertise required—just input data and print.

Versatile: Supports nearly all 1D and 2D barcode types, including QR codes.

Trusted: Recommended by CNET and widely downloaded by users worldwide.

Suitable Use Cases

Small businesses and startups needing quick barcode labels for products.

Retailers and online sellers managing inventory with batch barcode printing.

Manufacturers requiring sequential or custom barcode labels for packaging.

Educational and testing environments where barcodes are used for tracking.