Intelligent Mail Barcode Generator

Quickly sort & track letters, cards, flats, & other mail forms with our easy-to-use IMB barcode generator API at a highly competitive price.


What is an Intelligent Mail Barcode Generator?

An Intelligent Mail barcode is a 65-bar code used by the United States Postal Service to track and sort mail. The code has four main parts: the routing Zip code, the delivery point, the barcode identifier, and the check digit. The intelligent mail barcode generator is an API (application programming interface) that creates these codes.

This API can be used by businesses or individuals who need to send large amounts of mail. The generator makes it easy to create and print out the codes, which can then be affixed to envelopes or packages. The USPS uses intelligent mail barcodes to track items through the postal system and speed up delivery. By using this system, businesses and individuals can save time and money on their mailing costs.

Types of Intelligent Mail Barcodes

There are two types of intelligent mail barcodes (IMBs): basic and full-service. Basic IMBs contain tracking information, while full-service IMBs include mailing data such as postage amount and destination ZIP code. Full-service IMBs offer the most benefits for businesses, as they can provide detailed tracking information and help automate the mailing process.

USPS IMB Components

The IMB consists of four components: the routing code, address information, tracking information, and optional extras.

  1. Routing Code: Comprises 21 bars and identifies the USPS facility where the mail piece will be processed.
  2. Address Information: Is made up of 31 bars and encodes the delivery point ZIP Code and other data such as plus-4 codes, urbanization names, and carrier route codes.
  3. Tracking Information: Comprises 13 bars and contains data such as the date and time of mailing, origin ZIP Code, and unique serial numbers.
  4. Optional Extras: Are made up of 1 bar and can be used to encode things like special services, intelligent mail features, and return information.


Why Use an Intelligent Mail Barcode Generator?

There are many reasons why a business might want to use an Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB) generator. Primarily, IMBs are used for tracking purposes. The barcodes can track individual pieces of mail as they make their way through the USPS system. This is especially useful for businesses that send out a lot of mailings, such as marketing materials or invoices.

Another reason to use an IMB generator is for address verification. By including an IMB on your mail pieces, you can be sure that the USPS will be able to deliver them to the correct address. This can save a lot of time and hassle down the line.

Overall, using an IMB generator can save businesses time and money. By tracking their mailings and ensuring that they are being delivered to the correct address, businesses can avoid a lot of potential problems.

Barcode Fun Facts The first barcode ever scanned was on a pack of Wrigley’s Juicy Fruit chewing gum in June 1974. This was the same year Wrigley’s raised the price of its gum from $0.05 to $0.10-0.15 per pack.

How Do I Get a ZIP+4 Code and an IMB Generator?

To ensure mailing addresses are correct and ZIP+4 codes are accurate, the USPS recommends using a CASS™ Certified postal address verification service like Esendex’s PAV API.

When to Use Intelligent Mail Barcode Generators

There are various barcode generators available on the market, but not all of them are created equal. When choosing the right barcode generator for your business, you’ll want to make sure that you choose one that offers the features and functionality you need. Here’s a look at when you should use an intelligent mail barcode generator:

When choosing an intelligent mail barcode generator, make sure you choose one that offers the features and functionality you need. This way, you’ll be able to get the most out of your barcode generator and keep track of your mail pieces effectively.

IM Barcodes are Perfect For

  • First Class Mail
  • Periodicals
  • Standard Mail
  • Insured Mail
  • Certified Mail
  • Remittance Mail

What Does Our PAV API Do?

Postal Address Verification (PAV) standardizescorrects, and verifies addresses for deliverability before mail and packages are sent out.

PAV also appends the required ZIP+4 code to your data and returns an IM barcode key, giving you the ability to easily and quickly generate Intelligent Mail barcodes.


Benefits of Intelligent Mail Barcode Generators

If you’re looking for a reliable and efficient way to track your mail, an Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB) generator is the perfect solution. Here are just some of the benefits of using an IMB generator:

  1. Increased efficiency: With an IMB generator, you can quickly and easily create barcodes for your mail pieces. This means you’ll spend less time manually creating barcodes and more time focused on other tasks.
  2. Better tracking: IMBs provide detailed tracking information for each mail piece. This means that you can easily track where your mail is and ensure that it arrives at its destination on time.
  3. Reduced costs: By using an IMB generator, you can avoid the need to purchase expensive barcode labels. This can save you money in the long run and make your mail-tracking operation more cost-effective.

Allows Multi-Program Participation

Provides Mail Stream Visibility

Generates Greater Data Capacity

Expands Tracking Capabilities

Allows for Unique Identification

Creates More Accurate Information

Increases Mailpiece “Real Estate”

Saves Time, Money, and Resources

What are the components of an Intelligent Mail Barcode Generator?

An Intelligent Mail barcode generator is a tool that allows you to create and print barcodes for use with the United States Postal Service’s Intelligent Mail system. This system uses barcodes to track and manage mail pieces throughout the postal network.

There are four main components of an Intelligent Mail barcode generator:

  1. The data source. This is the information that will be encoded in the barcode. It can come from various sources, including address databases, customer files, or even hand-written addresses.
  2. The barcode symbology. This is the type of barcode used to encode the data. The USPS supports several symbology’s, including Code 128 and Interleaved 2 of 5.
  3. The printing system. This is the system used to print the barcodes onto the mail pieces. It can be a desktop printer, a commercial printing press, or even a handheld labeler.
  4. The verification system. This is a system that can be used to check the accuracy of the barcodes that have been printed. It can be as simple as a handheld scanner or as sophisticated as a full-fledged barcode reader/verifier.


Intelligent Mail Barcode Generator Examples

With an IMB generator:

Jane Doe

1033 Flamingo Court
Chesapeake, VA 23451-2420

Hugh Manne

12 N Applewood St.
Elizabeth City, NC 38141-3221

Without an IMB generator:

Address Service Requested

#BWNGKVC
#1223 9940 0105 277#

Jane Doe

1033 Flamingo Court
Chesapeake, VA 23451-2420

Address Service Requested

#BWNGKVC
#7962 8002 1243 622#

Hugh Manne

12 N Applewood St.
Elizabeth City, NC 38141-3221

Intelligent Mail Barcode Generator and You

Save time, money, and resources with Esendex’s PAV API.
Our CASS Certified API will provide all of the information and reports below to make sure you qualify for additional USPS discounts:

Append the required ZIP+4 code to your data

Provide a CASS Summary Report (Form 3553)

Return a barcode key for easy IMB generation

PAV uses a simple, USPS-approved three-step process to ensure your mail and packages are deliverable. Our API produces results for bulk addresses in a fraction of a second and generates an impressive list of return values.

1. Standardize

Standardization formats addresses to meet USPS standards. How does correction differ from standardization? Read this to find out.

2. Correct

Correction identifies and corrects wrong address information. How does correction differ from standardization? Read this to find out.

3. Validate

Validation uses the USPS databases to ensure address deliverability. Want to learn more about address validation? We’ve got you covered.

Get all of your United States and Canadian USPS address verification API questions answered here.

1. What is an Intelligent Mail Barcode Generator?

An Intelligent Mail barcode is a 65-bar code used by the United States Postal Service to track and sort mail. The code has four main parts: the routing Zip code, the delivery point, the barcode identifier, and the check digit. The intelligent mail barcode generator is an API (application programming interface) that creates these codes.

This API can be used by businesses or individuals who need to send large amounts of mail. The generator makes it easy to create and print out the codes, which can then be affixed to envelopes or packages. The USPS uses intelligent mail barcodes to track items through the postal system and speed up delivery. By using this system, businesses and individuals can save time and money on their mailing costs.

2. How does a business use intelligent mail barcode generators?

There are a few different ways to use Intelligent Mail Barcode Generators. The most common way is to use them as a part of your postage meter or shipping labels. You can also find these barcodes on some envelopes and packages.

To use an Intelligent Mail Barcode Generator, you must first find a reputable one online (Esendex). Once you have found a generator, you will need to input the necessary information. This includes the recipient’s address, the sender’s address, and the weight of the package. After you have input all of this information, you will be able to generate a barcode.

Once you have generated a barcode, you will need to print it out. You can then attach the barcode to your envelope or package. Make sure that the barcode is placed in a visible location to be scanned by the postal service.

3. Why is an intelligent mail barcode generator useful?

Using PAV API and an IMB generator, you can more easily sort and track mail; reduce the cost of undeliverable mail and address corrections; qualify for additional shipping and barcoding discounts; and ensure prompt and correct mail delivery.

4. Do you have more Intelligent Mail Barcode resources?

Yes! Check out the USPS Intelligent Mail Barcode Resources page. We also have Documentation and Quick Start Guides for our API.

5. What if I have trouble using PAV API?

Emergency support is available. Please see our Contact Page for more information.

6. Why Use an Intelligent Mail Barcode Generator?

There are many reasons why a business might want to use an Intelligent Mail Barcode (IMB) generator. Primarily, IMBs are used for tracking purposes. The barcodes can track individual pieces of mail as they make their way through the USPS system. This is especially useful for businesses that send out a lot of mailings, such as marketing materials or invoices.

Another reason to use an IMB generator is for address verification. By including an IMB on your mail pieces, you can be sure that the USPS will be able to deliver them to the correct address. This can save a lot of time and hassle down the line.

Overall, using an IMB generator can save businesses time and money. By tracking their mailings and ensuring that they are being delivered to the correct address, businesses can avoid a lot of potential problems.

Let’s start sending, together.