ASK THE EXPERTS: Preparing For the New USPS Move Update Regulations

[JBarth]

I sort my mail by hand and don't use barcodes -- do I still have to comply with the Move Update rules?

[PB-Elizabeth]

Yes, this regulation applies to all commercial-priced / discounted mailings.  So even with "hand-sorted" mailings, which the USPS calls "presorted" or "nonautomation" you'll need to comply with the Move Update Standard. 

The only exception is mailings with alternative address formats, such as "Occupant."

Thanks for participating in our forum!

Elizabeth

[CarrieB]

Elizabeth,

We have customers who give us pre-labeled letters that we then hand sort to get the non-automated rate.  How are we supposed to do move update on that?  I thought this was only for automated mailers.

Thank you,

CarrieB

[PB-Elizabeth]

Hi Carrie,

The Move Update Standard applies to automation and nonautomation (as you say "hand sort" ) First-Class Mail and Standard Mail.

Either the mail owner (your customers) or you will need to implement one of the Move Update options that we've discussed on this Forum.

I'd recommend that rather than having your customers give you preprinted labels, they simply give you an excel sheet of the addresses. You could then run the database through our SmartMailer and VeriMove software to not only meet the Move Update regulation, but also to assign barcodes that could be printed along with the addresses directly on the envelopes.

Think of the value you'd offer your customers! Improved deliverability. The elimination of labels. Lower postage costs. Enhanced openability. Move Update compliance. And the benefit to you would be that you'd be offering valuable services that could be revenue-generating for you!

Please let me know if you have additional questions!

Kind regards,

Elizabeth

Message Edited by PB-MikeH on 09-11-2008 09:19 AM