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Sarah Jolie, president of Hensley Company, is known as the PostalNerd. She and her team know stuff. Just ask.
Complete this Q&A contact form and your question will be handled directly and privately by Sarah via email. If the PostalNerd feels the information might benefit others, she will ask if it can be added to our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
SPOTLIGHT QUESTION
Q. The Intelligent Mail Parcel Barcode (IMPb) - Why is it important?
A. The USPS is actually a giant network of machinery, operated by software. The barcode can be thought of as a Unique ID Tracking Number that logs where it is in the network. While not infallible, it provides real-time updates as to where your parcel is in the delivery process. No parcel can move through the USPS system without this barcode/tracking number, just like parcels sent through UPS, Fedex and DHL.
Why is USPS typically cheaper than UPS/Fedex/DHL?
Unlike UPS, Fedex and DHL, USPS is already delivering items to every mailbox on mail delivery days. UPS/FEDEX/DHL all must set up unique destination deliveries. USPS does not have a Residential surcharge like the other carriers. Depending on size, weight and destination, it is sometimes cheaper to use one of the other carriers. Hensley Company reviews those options for you.
Retail vs. Commercial IMPb Pricing:
RETAIL: When a parcel is taken to the counter at the post office, the USPS staff enters the dimensions, weight and delivery address for the parcel. The IMPb is assigned during that process and attached to the parcel. The postage on this is higher than the commercial rate because it is a FULL-SERVICE process. The sender only needs to present the addressed parcel, and the USPS does the rest.
COMMERCIAL: The USPS offers discounted postage rates as part of their “work share” model. When the parcels are brought to the USPS with the IMPb and address verifications already completed, the USPS needs to do less handling and thus passes along those savings in the form of postage discounts.
When Hensley prepares a parcel label the physical delivery address, parcel weights, dimensions have all been verified prior to the piece being addressed. We can check to see if your recipient has filed a change of address with the USPS through National Change of Address. We can also double-check that your list does not contain any unintended duplicates.
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