ACS™

ACS is a post mailing service that allows mailers to receive change-of-address (COA) and other reasons for non-delivery electronically and reduce the number of manual (hardcopy) address notifications.

 

Who is ACS for?

First Class Mail

First Class Mail

Parcels

Parcels

Periodicals

Periodicals

Standard Mail

Standard Mail

Description

ACS™ has many benefits over manual address corrections.

ACS is a cost-effective, efficient means of obtaining accurate COA or reasons for non-delivery information. Utilizing ACS can:

  1. Reduce manual address correction costs.
  2. Reduce labor-intensive address change functions by eliminating returned mail.
  3. Retrieve address change information electronically via a secure Internet site to allow automated updating of mailing lists.
  4. Receive notifications that relate specifically to their address files.

ACS has four distinct implementation methods which offer several different options:

  1. OneCode ACS Technical Guide contains information to participate in OneCode ACS® (uses IM® barcode).
  2. Traditional ACS Technical Guide contains information to participate in Traditional ACS.
  3. Full-Service ACS, which is currently provided as an additional benefit for mail that qualifies for Full-Service discount postage prices (uses IM® barcode). Full-Service mailers must use an ACS Service Type ID (STID) in the IM barcode when separate address correction notices are desired.
  4. IMpb ACS Technical Guide contains information to participate in IMpb® ACS (uses IM® package barcode).

For a complete overview of Address Change Services including eligibility, benefits, implementation, and technical specifications please review the ACS™ Product Information Guide: Publication 8 

A complete list of ACS Service Type IDs for use in the IM barcode can be found at Service Type Identifiers (STIDs) | PostalPro (usps.com)

To participate in ACS™, mailers must modify their mailing label, address block, and mailpiece according to the requirements associated with the specific ACS service they are applying for.

As ACS-modified mailpieces are processed via Postal Automation Redirection System (PARS) or Computerized Forwarding System (CFS), ACS notifications are generated when possible. However, ACS is an enhancement to the traditional process of manual (hard copy) notifications and it does not completely replace or eliminate hard copy address change notifications.

The ACS notifications are transmitted to the Addressing and Geospatial Technology Office (AGT), where the notifications are consolidated into a file for the mailer. ACS fulfillment options vary depending on the specific ACS service you are applying for.

If you have not already opened an ACS account, contact the ACS Department at acs@usps.gov. Check, credit card, ACH credit or CAPS payment options are available.

Featured Resources

Fact Sheets
03/07/2018
Fact Sheets
03/07/2018
Fact Sheets
03/07/2018
Fact Sheets
03/07/2018
Publications
05/02/2022
Mailer's Technical Advisory Committee - Best Practices for ACS™

This document is designed to enhance mailers' understanding of the US Postal Service's ACS™ product.

ACS™ Forms

Applications/ Forms
03/15/2019
ACS™ Enrollment Form

Enrollment form for ACS™.

Applications/ Forms
12/01/2022
Electronic Product Fulfillment (EPF) Web Access Request Form (PS 5116)

This form is used to create a Web-based account with the Addressing and Geospatial Technology (AGT) office which will be utilized to retrieve/download files from the Electronic Product Fulfillment (EPF) website.

Applications/ Forms
09/01/2017
Secure Destruction Enrollment Form

This document is an enrollment application form for Secure Destruction.

ACS™ Test Files and Tools

Tech Guides
05/26/2015
ACS™ Electronic Product Fulfillment (EPF) Fulfillment File Access

Learn the different methods of accessing your ACS™ files from EPF.

Data Files
01/16/2015
ACS™ File Format Sample File

Sample file formats for ACS™.

Tools
07/30/2019
ACS™ Electronic Product Fulfillment (EPF) Download Manager Software (Client Side)

Please send an email to ACS@usps.gov requesting the current versions of the EPF download managers and documentation to create your own download manager.

Tech Guides
05/08/2024
ACS™ Electronic Product Fulfillment (EPF) Download Manager Technical Guide

Documentation for the Client Side ACS™ EPF Download Manager software package.

Tools
01/02/2012
Traditional ACS™ Keyline Utility

Traditional Keyline Utility - Enter a keyline, see the check digit.

Tools
05/08/2009
Traditional ACS™ MOD 10 Keyline Utility with Microsoft Excel®

ACS™ MOD 10 Keyline Utility utilizing Microsoft Excel®

ACS™ Technical Guides

Tech Guides
10/18/2019
ACS™ File Format Technical Guide

This document contains the technical guide for ACS file format.

Tech Guides
10/18/2019
OneCode ACS® Technical Guide

This guide provides technical references for OneCode ACS®.

Tech Guides
02/05/2024
Intelligent Mail® Package Barcode (IMpb) ACS™ Technical Guide

Technical guide for users of Intelligent Mail® Package Barcode (IMpb) Address Change Services (ACS). Includes a solution overview, features, participation requirements, and service endorsement options.

User Guides
09/18/2017
ACS™ Product Information Guide: Publication 8

A complete overview of Address Change Services: eligibility, benefits, implementation, and technical specifications.

Tech Guides
10/18/2019
Traditional ACS™ Technical Guide

This document is a guide that provides technical information about Traditional ACS™.

Tech Guides
01/18/2024
Traditional ACS™ with Shipper Paid Services Technical Guide

This document is a guide that provides technical information about Traditional ACS™ with shipper paid services.

Tech Guides
10/18/2019
SingleSource ACS™ Technical Guide

This guide is a technical reference for SingleSource ACS. Includes how ACS works, participation requirements, and fulfillment files.

Tech Guides
09/12/2019
Secure Destruction Technical Guide

A technical reference for implementing the Secure Destruction process.

Tech Guides
05/26/2015
ACS™ Electronic Product Fulfillment (EPF) Fulfillment File Access

Learn the different methods of accessing your ACS™ files from EPF.

Publications
02/16/2024
Appendix A: Ancillary Service Type Identifier (STID) Details

Appendix A provides a detailed description of the various address correction options available within basic / Nonautomation and full-service mailings and the STIDs that provide the different undeliverable-as-addressed (UAA) treatments.

Publications
07/28/2013
Appendix B: ACS™ Frequently Asked Questions

This document provides frequently asked questions (FAQs) and answers about the Intelligent Mail® Barcode, Traditional ACS™, OneCode ACS™, Full Service ACS™, Single Source ACS™, and the Intelligent Mail® Package Barcode (IMpb).

Publications
07/25/2018
Appendix C: ACS™ Product Code Information and Details

This document provides ACS™ Product Codes, descriptions, classifications, shapes, and fees.

Publications
07/28/2013
Appendix D: Glossary of ACS™ Acronyms and Terminology

This document contains a glossary of ACS™ terms.

ACS™ Announcements

Announcements
04/28/2015
ACS™ Announcement: Electronic Product Fulfillment (EPF) Invoice Modification

The ACS EPF Billing Invoice PDF version has been modified effective with the April 24, 2015 invoice.

Announcements
03/14/2014
ACS™ Announcement: Electronic Product Fulfillment (EPF) Planned Maintenance and Migration Rescheduled

Electronic Product Fulfillment (EPF) maintenance previously planned for March 15, 2014 has been tentatively rescheduled to begin March 22, 2014 at 10am CST and end March 23, 2014 at 10pm CST.

FAQs
01/01/2013
ACS™ Announcement: Traditional ACS™ Service Type ID FAQ

This document details frequently asked questions regarding the Traditional ACS required change.

Announcements
02/16/2009
ACS™ Announcement: OneCode ACS® Fulfillment

Information regarding OneCode ACS data content regarding the Intelligent Mail (IM) barcode

Related Products

Traditional ACS™

Traditional ACS is one of the four ways to participate in ACS, where mailers receive notifications of undeliverable mail (UAA) and change-of-address (COA) electronically. The Intelligent Mail® barcode is not required to receive Traditional ACS.

OneCode ACS®

OneCode ACS allows customers mailing First-Class Mail®, Standard Mail®, and Periodical flats or letters to receive electronic or automated address corrections using the Intelligent Mail® barcode.

SingleSource ACS™

SingleSource ACS™ removes the need for handling different file formats when dealing with Full-Service ACS™, OneCode ACS®, IMpb ACS™ and Traditional ACS™. With SingleSource ACS, all of the ACS notices are combined into a single file format and are provided via Electronic Product Fulfillment (EPF).

Intelligent Mail® Package Barcode (IMpb) ACS™

IMpb ACS allows parcel mailers who print the Intelligent Mail package barcode to receive an electronic address correction using that barcode.

Ancillary Service Endorsements

Ancillary Service Endorsements allow for a sender to obtain an addressee’s forwarding/new address if the addressee has filed a Change-of-Address order with the Postal Service, or a reason for why a mailpiece has not been delivered.

Secure Destruction

Secure Destruction is a cost effective, secure, and convenient way to manage mail with personal protected information.

NCOALink®

NCOA is a system of record for all COA requests and is used to produce the NCOALink product.  The NCOALink Product is a secure dataset of approximately 160 million permanent change-of-address (COA) records constructed from names and addresses of individuals, families, and businesses who have filed a change-of-address with the Postal Service™. Developed with secure data store technology to increase security of postal customer data and protect the privacy of this information, the NCOALink Product enables mailers to process mailing lists and update lists with new addresses prior to mailing. The NCOALink data is provided on a regular basis to companies that have been licensed by the Postal Service.

Contact

Questions? Get in touch. 

While the ACS Department can assist customers with questions, it is beneficial for all customers to read specific ACS service documentation and consolidate any questions. You may email the questions and schedule conference calls by calling 877-640-0724, option 1 or email us at acs@usps.gov.