Confirmation Services uses standardized bar codes to uniquely identify mail
pieces and to designate the type of service being requested. Using a Package
Identification Code (PIC), commonly called a tracking number, will uniquely
identify all Confirmation Services mail pieces. The PIC is printed in bar code
format on the label and must be unique.
The UCC/EAN 128 Barcode Format for Package Identification Code
is made up of five fields totaling 22 characters. The five required data fields
are:
-
Application Identifier (AI): This is a code used within UCC/EAN Code 128
that identifies this as a Postal Service bar code. In this case the Application
Identifiers (AIs) for Confirmation Services is "91"
-
Service Type Code (STC): Service Type Codes are 2-digit designators used
to represent Postal Service classes of mail in conjunction with the type of
postal service being requested. STCs are included in the Confirmation Services
bar code to identify the class of mail and/or type of special services included
on that specific mail item
-
Customer ID: 9-digit; DUNS number that uniquely identifies the customer
-
Package Sequence Number (PSN): 8-digit; fixed sequential number
-
Modulus 10 Check digit: It is a digit added at the end of a sequence of
numbers that validates the authenticity of the number. It can be automatically
calculated and encoded by Barcode Professional if needed
The Concatenated UCC/EAN 128 Barcode Format for Package
Identification Code is made up of seven fields totaling 30 characters. The
seven required data fields are:
-
Routing Application Identifier: In this case the Application Identifier
is "420"
-
5-digit ZIP Code
-
Tracking Application Identifier: In this case the Application Identifier
is "91"
-
Service Type Code (STC): Service Type Codes are 2-digit designators used
to represent Postal Service classes of mail in conjunction with the type of
postal service being requested. STCs are included in the Confirmation Services
bar code to identify the class of mail and/or type of special services included
on that specific mail item
-
Customer ID: 9-digit; DUNS number that uniquely identifies the customer
-
Package Sequence Number (PSN): 8-digit; fixed sequential number
-
Modulus 10 Check digit: It is a digit added at the end of a sequence of
numbers that validates the authenticity of the number. It can be automatically
calculated and encoded by Barcode Professional if needed
Sample of a USPS Package Identification Code (PIC) barcode
Note: Please refer to the Class
Reference documentation for more information about the properties and methods
stated in this document.
In order to get a USPS Package Identification Code (PIC)
barcode image, please follow these steps:
-
Set the Symbology property to UspsPicUccEan128
-
Setting up dimensions and quiet zones:
-
Set the BarWidth property to a value ranging from 0.015 to 0.017 (Values
are expressed in Inches)
-
Set the BarHeight property to 0.765625 (Values are expressed in Inches)
-
Set the QuietZoneWidth property to 0.25 (Value is expressed in Inches)
-
Set the TopMargin and BottomMargin properties to 0.15625 and
0.171875 respectively (Values are expressed in Inches)
-
-
Set the Code property with the value to encode:
-
For single barcodes: It must begin with "91" followed by 19 or 20 digits
-
For Concatenated barcodes: It must begin with "420" followed by 5-digit
ZIP code and followed by "91" and 19 or 20 digits
Note: Please refer to the Class
Reference documentation for more information about the properties and methods
stated in this document.
In order to get a USPS Package Identification Code (PIC)
barcode image, please follow these steps:
-
Set the Symbology property to UspsPicUccEan128
-
Setting up dimensions and quiet zones:
All values for barcode dimensions are expressed
in INCHES by default. However, Barcode Professional supports other unit
of measurement such as Millimeter, Centimeter, and Mils.
For modifying the unit of measurement for barcoding, please set up the BarcodeUnit
property as needed.
-
Set the BarWidth property to a value ranging from 0.015 to 0.017 (Values
are expressed in Inches)
-
Set the BarHeight property to 0.765625 (Values are expressed in Inches)
-
Set the QuietZone property to 0.25, 0.15625, 0.25, 0.171875 - Left, Top,
Right, and Bottom zones (Value is expressed in Inches)
-
-
Set the Code property with the value to encode:
-
For single barcodes: It must begin with "91" followed by 19 or 20 digits
-
For Concatenated barcodes: It must begin with "420" followed by 5-digit
ZIP code and followed by "91" and 19 or 20 digits