Address Change Service (ACS)™ – A Primer

ACS™ debut  In the mid-1980s, Address Change Service (ACS) was developed to provide an enhancement to the manual address correction process. Where USPS ® was able, address corrections would be provided in an electronic environment, reducing USPS cost in providing and mailer cost in using address corrections.

Traditional ACS™  The USPS ® assigns the mailer a Participant ID (PID) consisting of 7 alpha characters. A PID sample would look like #BWNABCD.  The mailer completes a profile, choosing a class and mailpiece treatment option for each PID.  The mailer prints the PID and optional keyline at the top of the address block.  The mailer prints the requested ancillary service endorsement on each piece.

Traditional ACS™  The Computerized Forwarding System (CFS) uses the Participant ID and customer’s keyline (if an electronic ACS record is desired).  Keyline includes class and ancillary service endorsement.  If no keyline, the class and ancillary service endorsement is entered into the system along with Change-of-Address records or reasons for nondelivery to determine the disposition of the mailpiece and produce ACS records.

OneCode ACS ®  The Intelligent Mail ® barcode provided an opportunity to move from human or Optical Character reading in Postal Automated Redirection System (PARS) and Flats Control System (FCS) to the more reliable and efficient use of barcode reading to provide mailpiece information during processing to the mailpiece handling decision and address correction production.

Mailpiece Disposition Undeliverable as Addressed (UAA) Options  What do I want done with the mail?  Forward where possible, return the rest? Or  Dispose of all UAA? Or  Dispose of all UAA that cannot be forwarded? Or  Return everything?

Address Correction Options  Do I want a hardcopy notice?  Do I want electronic notices, but only of forwarding information?  Do I want a hardcopy if electronic cannot be produced?  Do I want electronic notices in addition to the return of the piece with a correction affixed?

Control of the Mail  The mailer controls the disposition of the mail and the creation of address corrections by correct use of required ancillary service endorsements and the ACS™ data applied to the mailpiece.  The only ancillary service endorsements available within traditional ACS or OneCode ACS are Address Service Requested and Change Service Requested (DMM 507.4).  Incorrect use may lead to unexpected results.

ACS™ Record Content  Change Of Address (COA) record contains the Move Effective Date, move type (Family, Individual, Business), parsed name - from the COA, not the mailpiece, parsed old and new addresses.  Nixie record contains the Participant ID, the keyline, and the reason for nondelivery code.  OneCode ACS ® records also contain the full 31 characters of the Intelligent Mail ® barcode.  Traditional and OneCode ACS records are different sizes for that reason.

New Address Quality  Because ACS™ data comes directly from the forwarding database, some percentage of those new addresses will not Delivery Point Verification (DPV ® ) confirm. The information provided on the record is the information we used for forwarding.  COA data is corrected where possible through processes like LACS Link®, Address Element Correction (AEC), AEC II ®, and the Electronic Unresolved Address Reporting System (eUARS).

Nondelivery Codes  USPS ® is required to provide a reason for nondelivery if the mail cannot be delivered or forwarded.  ACS™ reasons for nondelivery are generated by the USPS and/or the delivery office. The reasons not generated by the USPS must be provided manually.

Source of Nixie Data  Mail is determined to be undeliverable only by the clerk, carrier, or Postmaster at the address on the mail.  Each piece is marked with the reason for nondelivery and submitted to PARS or CFS for processing.  Nixie data does not come from a database. It is determined on each individual mailpiece.

ACS Reasons for Nondelivery Attempted—Not KnownDelivery attempted, addressee not known at place of address. IllegibleAddress not readable. In Disput returned to sender by order of chief field counsel because of dispute about right to delivery of mail and cannot be determined which disputing party has better right to mail. Insufficient AddressMail without number, street, box number, route number, or geographical section of city or city and state omitted and correct address not known. No Mail ReceptacleAddressee failed to provide a receptacle for receipt of mail. No Such NumberAddressed to nonexistent number and correct number not known. No Such Office in StateAddressed to nonexistent Post Office (X) No Such StreetAddressed to nonexistent street and correct street not known. Not Deliverable as Addressed—Unable to Forward Mail undeliverable at address given; no change-of-address order on file; forwarding order expired. (Q) Outside Delivery LimitsAddressed to location outside delivery limits of Post Office of address. Hold mail for out-of-bounds customers in general delivery for specified period unless addressee filed order. RefusedAddressee refused to accept mail or pay postage charges on it Returned for Better Address Mail of local origin incompletely addressed for distribution or delivery. Temporarily AwayAddressee temporarily away and period for holding mail expired (W) UnclaimedAddressee abandoned or failed to call for mail. VacantHouse, apartment, office, or building not occupied. (Use only if mail addressed "Occupant.")

Manual Reasons for Nondelivery (No Nixie ACS Record Provided)

Temporarily Away  Legitimate reason for non-delivery  Two ways to receive:  Either the customer has a temporary change of address on file.  The customer left mail on hold and did not return on schedule. Carrier/clerk not yet able to submit a MLNA/BCNO for permanent database entry.

Prices Effective May 11, 2009 OneCode ACS ® First Two Notices Additional Notices First-Class Mail ® 2¢2¢8¢8¢ Standard Mail ® 5¢5¢20¢ Traditional ACS™All Notices First-Class Mail10¢ Other Classes Manual Notice 26¢ 50¢

Why Should I Use OneCode ACS ® ?  Mailer 1 paid $66, for 1,109,928 ACS™ records (with weekly updates). If they had been using OneCode ACS, they would have paid $12,  Mailer 2 paid $80, for 1,345,019 ACS records (with daily updates). If they had been using OneCode ACS they would have paid $

OneCode ACS ® Account Setup  The USPS ® assigns a Mailer ID consisting of either 6 or 9 digits.  The mailer completes a profile, choosing a class and mailpiece treatment option for each MID. Crossing classes and ancillary services is possible, but should be discussed with the NCSC in the ACS department to anticipate any issues.  The mailer prints the Intelligent Mail ® barcode, which includes the Sequence Number and Service Type ID to indicate the desired ancillary service endorsement.  The mailer prints any required ancillary service endorsement on each piece.

ACS™ Account Approval (Prior to Mailing)  Mailers must submit samples to the ACS department for approval prior to account activation.  Samples are reviewed for correct use and placement of ancillary service endorsements, PID/keyline or Mailer ID (MID) content, Service Type Identifier (STID) content, and barcode readability (OneCode ACS only).

Record Charge Calculations  Traditional ACS™ records are provided at the Electronic price – 10 cents for First-Class™ and 26 cents for all other classes.  OneCode ACS ® records are provided at the Automated price, which applies to automated First-Class and Standard Mail ® letters only.  Flats pricing is always electronic.

OneCode ACS ® Fees  Automated fees for First-Class™ are 2 cents for the first two notices, 8 cents for each additional.  Automated fees for Standard Mail ® are 5 cents for the first two notices, 20 cents for each additional.  Mailers who have Full-Service Intelligent Mail barcodes receive their first two notices free.

Counting OneCode ACS ® Records Scenario 1  John, Mary, Pete and Abigail Smith all move from 123 Main Street and file a Family Change-of-Address Order (COA).  4 First-Class™ mailpieces are produced, one to each Smith.  Because the ACS™ record is created by the COA, 4 Smith Family records are created.  The first 2 are free, and the second 2 are charged.

Counting OneCode ACS ® Records Scenario 2  John, Mary, Pete and Abigail Smith all move from 123 Main Street and file a Family Change-of-Address Order (COA) for John and Mary, and Individual orders for Pete and Abigail.  4 First-Class™ mailpieces are produced, one to each Smith.  Because the ACS™ record is created by the COA, 2 Smith Family records are created. 1 Pete record and 1 Abigail record are created.  The first 2 Smith Family records are free, and each Pete and Abigail record is free.  Similar mailpieces are mailed to the same old address the next week. The Smith Family records are the 3rd and 4th notices, so they are charged. Pete’s and Abigail’s records are second notices, so they are not charged.

Counting OneCode ACS ® Records Scenario 3  Mailer creates 16 mailpieces to Bumble Incorporated to 16 different employees.  Bumble Inc. has filed a single business Change-of-Address order.  The first 2 Bumble Inc. ACS™ records are free, the other 14 records are not.

Record Fulfillment  Address corrections are compiled by Participant ID/MID, posted to RIBBS (Traditional or OneCode) or mailed on CD (Traditional only).  Traditional ACS Mailer chooses daily, biweekly, weekly, bimonthly, or monthly fulfillments. OneCode records are posted daily.  Mailer logs into website manually or through a script or other automated process to collect data.

Record Delivery on RIBBS  Access is provided via a login and password by the customer account number, also known as a MEM number.  MEM number is an “umbrella” account number for billing purposes, under which PIDs and MIDs can be grouped, by class.

Monthly Billing  ACS™ is not paid for in advance.  Each month, an invoice is sent to the PID/MID holder showing each fulfillment, the types of records fulfilled, and the amount due.  Invoices are payable within 30 days of the billing date.  Statements are also provided.

Expected Mailer Actions on ACS™ Records  The mailer uses business rules and matching processes to apply the address corrections and reasons for nondelivery to their addresses.  The mailer has an updated mailing list for the next mailing.  If the mailer does nothing, their mailing list degrades by 1 ½ % each month.

For More Information  Traditional ACS™, please read USPS ® Publication 8A.  OneCode ACS ®, please read USPS ® Publication 8B.  Both are available on RIBBS at Both links are on the left side menu.  Also be sure to read DMM ® 507 for more information on the treatment of UAA mail.

Other Helpful Websites            

Applications  Applications and 1357-Ws for either service can be mailed, faxed, or scanned and ed. Mail to:ACS Department, USPS 6060 Primacy Pkwy Ste 101 Memphis TN Fax to:(901)

Questions