Glossary

A

Address Answer - Address returned after standardization and validation process.
Address Input - Address provided by user which is displayed and/or returned exactly as it was provided.
Address Quality - Process of standardizing, validating, and updating mailing addresses.

B

Bulk Mail Center (BMC) - Mail processing facility for distributing Standard Mail.
Bundle - Group of addressed mail pieces secured together as a unit.

C

CASS - Coding Accuracy Support System. Process used by the USPS to improve and test the accuracy of software based address matching or "coding". See our CASS page for more detailed information.
Congressional District - Code identifying a geographic area within the United States served by a member of the US House of Representatives.

D

DPBC - Delivery Point Barcode
DPV - Delivery Point Validation
Delivery Point Barcode (DPBC) - Barcode that can be printed on mail pieces to allow automatic sortation and sequencing on USPS equipment. The DPBC has 62 bars that begin and end with frame bars and has 5 bars for each digit of the ZIP+4, delivery point, and a check digit.
Delivery Point Validation - Process of verifying mailing addresses against known USPS delivery points including the primary and secondary numbers.

E

ECR - Enhanced Carrier Route.
eLOT - Enhanced Line of Travel.

F

Finance Number - Code assigned to postal service facilities to collect cost and statistical data and compile revenue and expense data. The state number comprises the first two positions of the finance number. The finance number can be used to match to records in the City State and the ZIP4 data.
First-Class Mail® - Mail class used for any type of personal correspondance including hand written letters, bills, statements, or matter that is sealed against inspection.
Flat - General term used to refer to flat-size mail, because the mail remains flat and is not bent during sorting.

G

Group/Package Indicator - Specifies if a mail piece is part of a group or a package.
Group - Group of addressed mail pieces which are sorted together but are not secured as a pacakge.

H

I

Indicia - Pronounced in deesh ə. Sign printed on a mail piece to denote postage paid (e.g., permit imprint).
Intelligent Mail barcode (IMBC) - Next generation of barcode technology used to sort and track mail.

J

K

Keyline - Optional information printed in or above the address or in the lower left corner of the envelope. The information in a keyline identifies the mailpiece and its presort level. Under some postage payment systems, the keyline is a required line that contains specific information about the mailpiece.

L

LACSLink - Locatable Address Conversion System
Locatable Address Conversion System (LACS) - Data provided by the USPS that contains address change such as E911 conversions which are typically addresses that have changed from rural-style to city-style. Also includes addresses where the street name has changed or the street has been re-numbered.

M

Machinable - Ability of a mailpiece to be sorted by postal equipment.
Mail class - Classification of domestic mail based on the content of the mailpiece.
Mailstop code - Internal mail designation code, such as a unique identifier assigned by a company or building.

N

NCOALink - National Change of Address
National Change of Address (NCOA) - A product provided to licensees by the USPS which allows addresses to be updated for individuals and businesses that have moved and filed a change of address with the USPS.
Nonmachinable - Mailpiece that is processed manually, because it cannot be sorted on mail processing equipment due to physical dimensions, content, or address legibility.

O

Optional Endorsement Line (OEL) - Optional information printed above the address block that contains the presort level of a package or bundle and also may contain an ACS participant code. In certain cases, the OEL can be used instead of package labels.

P

Package - A group of addressed pieces assembled and secured together to make up a basic unit of bulk mail for processing purposes.
Periodical - Class of mail consisting of magazines, newspapers, or other publications formed of printed sheets that are issued at least four times a year at regular, specified intervals (frequency) from a known office of publication. Periodicals usually must have a legimate list of subscribers and requesters.
Prefix Title - Title preceding an individual's name, such as Mr., Ms., Dr., etc.
Presort - Process of sorting and containerizing mail to the finest extent possible according to USPS standards.
Processing Agreement Form (PAF) - A form that must be signed by the licensee, mailing list owner, and mailing list agents prior to using NCOALink.
Processing category - Designation of mail that is based on physical dimensions and weight.

Q

Qualifying piece - Mailpiece that meets all standards for a processing category or a speicifc rate.

R

Rate class - See Mail class.
Return address - Address that is typically placed in the upper left corner of a mailpiece to indicate the address of the sender or where the mail shoudl be returned if it is undeliverable.

S

SOAP - Simple Object Access Protocol
Software as a Service (SaaS) - A model for delivering software via the Internet.
Street Suffix - USPS standard abbreviation for the designator following the street name.
Suffix Title - Designation following the last name of the individual, such as Jr. or PhD.

T

Tray - A container used by the USPS and mailers to hold letter and flat-size mail.

U

Undeliverable-as-Addressed (UAA) - Mail that cannot be delivered to the address or recipient as it is addressed on the mail piece.

V

Verification - Procedural checks performed by USPS personnel to ensure a mailing has been prepared correctly and the postage is accurate.

W

Web Service - Method used by distributed applications to communicate across the Internet using standards-based protocols.
Working (WKG) - Designation used on container labels to denote the contents require sorting and distribution.

X - Z

ZIP Code - 5-digit code that identifies a specific geographic delivery area. ZIP is an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan