Bulk Proof of Delivery Program

The bulk proof of delivery program gives mailers the ability to receive signature proof of delivery records for applicable mailpieces without requesting them individually. This enhancement allows mailers to retain records longer than the Postal Service retention period and provides mailers a more efficient way to handle signature records.

Who is BPOD for?

Mailers who use labels procured from a Postal Service retail location (i.e., labels that do not contain the mailer’s or third-party designee’s Mailer ID number) cannot participate in the bulk proof of delivery program.

Parcels

Parcels

Description

The bulk proof of delivery program gives mailers the ability to receive signature proof of delivery records for applicable mailpieces without requesting them individually. This enhancement allows mailers to retain records longer than the Postal Service retention period and provides mailers a more efficient way to handle signature records.

Bulk proof of delivery service meets three key customer needs:

  1. It frees the customer from having to request individual proof of delivery records or from placing PS Form 3811, Domestic Return Receipt, on each mailpiece (if applicable).
  2. It allows mailers to retain signature records for longer than the Postal Service’s retention period.
  3. It provides mailers with a more efficient way to handle signature records.

The bulk proof of delivery program is available to mailers who participate in Adult Signature Required, Adult Signature Restricted Delivery, the Express Mail Manifesting program, Signature Confirmation electronic option program, or if a mailer or a mailer’s third-party designee uses Electronic Return Receipt with the applicable extra service when printing privately-printed labels. The mailer’s Mailer ID (or the Mailer ID of a registered third-party with whom the mailer is working) must be used in the barcoded label or be placed in a Shipping Services file to participate. Mailers can receive bulk proof of delivery records on CD-ROM or a signature extract file accessed using SFTP/FTP, the secure SFTP protocol being preferred. CD-ROMs are produced twice a month — on the first day and the fifteenth day. The signature extract file is produced weekly.

The Postal Service protects all PDF files using 128-bit RC4 encryption techniques and provides a customer-specific key code to the mailer or the mailer’s approved third-party designee to access the data. A mailer must use its key code to access its encrypted PDF files. Acrobat Adobe Reader 7 or higher must be used for viewing, searching, and printing.

The United States Postal Service® allows mailers who purchase Express Mail® service or Signature Confirmation™ service, Adult Signature Required and Adult Signature Restricted Delivery, to request individual proof of delivery records in letter format by e-mail, fax, or mail. Customers can make these requests through the Track & Confirm site on usps.com or by calling 800-222-1811.

Additionally, customers who purchase other extra services, such as Certified Mail™ service, can obtain individual proof of delivery records with recipient signatures by purchasing Electronic Return Receipt service. Electronic Return Receipt service is available for purchase only at the time of mailing.

The bulk proof of delivery program is available to the following mailers:

  • Mailers who use Adult Signature Required and Adult Signature Restricted Delivery
  • Mailers who participate in the Express Mail Manifesting (EMM) program
  • Mailers who use the Signature Confirmation service electronic option program
  • Mailers who use Electronic Return Receipt service with Certified Mail service, Registered Mail service, insured mail (more than $200), collect on delivery (COD) mail, or Signature Confirmation service with labels that include the mailer’s Mailer ID number (i.e., Signature Confirmation labels that mailers have printed themselves or that mailers have had printed on their behalf by the Postal Service or a third-party designee)
  • Mailers who use Electronic Return Receipt service with Certified Mail service, Registered Mail service, insured mail (more than $200), COD mail, or Signature Confirmation service with labels that include the Mailer ID number of a third-party designee (consolidator or vendor). In these instances, the third-party designee must submit an electronic file with the client’s Mailer ID number placed in the Client Mailer ID field of Detail Record 1.

Additional information on electronic file transmission and the Client Mailer ID field is included in Publication 199, Chapter 6, “Communications.”

Mailers who use labels procured from a Postal Service retail location (i.e., labels that do not contain the mailer’s or third-party designee’s Mailer ID number) cannot participate in the bulk proof of delivery program.

Featured Resources

Applications/ Forms
03/29/2013
PS 5053: Bulk Proof of Delivery Application

Bulk proof of delivery provides mailers the opportunity to receive proof of delivery (delivery record) information in bulk.

User Guides
01/01/2012
Publication 199: Bulk Proof of Delivery (BPOD) Supplement

This document provivdes revisions to Publication 199 - Intelligent Mail® Package Barcode (IMpb) Implementation Guide for: Confirmation Services and Electronic Verification System (eVS®) Mailers Supplement for Bulk Proof of Delivery Services.

Related Products

Electronic Verification System (eVS®)

The Electronic Verification System (eVS®) enables parcel mailers to submit documentation and pay postage by transmitting electronic manifest files to the eVS database.

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.