Intelligent Mail® Container Barcode (IMcb)

The Intelligent Mail® Container barcode (IMcb) will be applied to Mailer-generated container labels and is designed to be scanned at acceptance and at other points throughout transportation and processing. The Intelligent Mail Container barcode allows each container to be associated with a unique mailing and facilitates tracking of containers throughout the mail processing network.

Who is the IMcb for?

Container barcode is used on mailer-generated pallet labels to uniquely identify pallets and similar containers (i.e., all-purpose containers, hampers, pallet boxes, etc.)

First Class Mail

First Class Mail

Parcels

Parcels

Periodicals

Periodicals

Standard Mail

Standard Mail

Description

The Intelligent Mail Container barcode provides visibility at the mail aggregate level. It is used on mailer-generated pallet labels to uniquely identify pallets and similar containers (i.e. All Purpose Containers, hampers, pallet boxes, etc.) in addition to identifying the mail owner and, it provides a link between the electronic mailing record and the physical mail aggregate.

The IMcb uniquely identifies the mail owner, mail preparer, or consolidator by way of the Mailer ID field. Furthermore, the IMcb establishes a unique "serial number" for each container. These two features allow each container to be associated with a unique mailing and facilitate tracking of containers as they are loaded and unloaded from transportation.

The IMcb is printed on Mailer-generated pallet labels and is designed to be scanned at acceptance and at other points throughout the transportation and processing network. Other human-readable data elements, beyond the IM Container barcode, such as text identifying the mail owner, destination, and type of mail are also required on the container placard. Further information on the use of this barcode can be found in the Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service®, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM 300).

Currently, the USPS® is recommending two form factors for the Container Label. View dimensioned layouts for the recommended placement of information on the 8" min. x11" format and the 4"x7" self-adhesive format.

Featured Resources

Tech Guides
03/30/2008
Intelligent Mail Container Barcode Technical Specifications

Technical specifications for printing the USPS Intelligent Mail® Container barcode (IM™ Container barcode). The Intelligent Mail Container barcode is used on mailer-generated pallet labels to uniquely identify pallets and similar containers (i.e.

Tech Guides
03/30/2016
Dimensioned Layouts for the 8"min x 11" Container Barcode Format

Currently, the USPS® is recommending two form factors for the Container Label.

Tech Guides
03/30/2016
Dimensioned Layouts for the 4" x 7" Self-Adhesive Container Barcode Format

Currently, the USPS® is recommending two form factors for the Container Label.

Tech Guides
03/24/2014
Container, Tray, and Bundle Visibility User Guide

This user guide shows mailers how to obtain Container, Tray, and Bundle tracking information. 

Fact Sheets
02/04/2008
Intelligent Mail® Barcode Resources

This document provides additional information and resources on IMb.

Related Products

Intelligent Mail® Barcode

The Intelligent Mail® barcode (IMb) is used to sort and track letters, cards and flats and offers greater versatility by allowing many services to be requested and embedded within one barcode. The Intelligent Mail barcode combines the data of the existing POSTNET™ and the PLANET Code® barcodes, as well as other data, into a single barcode. 

Intelligent Mail® Package Barcode (IMpb)

The Intelligent Mail Package Barcode (IMpb) provides the best commercial prices with the largest discount available, piece-level tracking information at no additional charge for most products, and access to new products, services, and enhanced features. The addition of two (2) supplemental IMmb’s to the existing IMpb on a USPS shipping label results in enhanced package visibility with less mail rework.

Intelligent Mail® Tray Label

All tray label production systems are being transitioned to produce a 24-digit Intelligent Mail® (IM®) tray label in support of the USPS® "100% Visibility" strategy. The IM tray label allows for the unique identification of every tray, tub, and sack traveling throughout our mail processing and delivery network.