Publication 91 - Confirmation Services Technical Guide

Electronic Rate Qualifications
2 Electronic Rate Qualifications
Electronic Rate Qualifications
To qualify for the electronic rate, you must have the capability to electronically
send information to the Postal Service and receive delivery information
electronically. If you are considering this rate option, your company’s
information systems or shipping manager should review the following section
along with the file layout information found in the Appendix A prior to
initiating the certification process. This evaluation will ensure that the proper
test kit is sent.
When submitting an application(s), you must provide a Dun & Bradstreet
number for each label printing or file transmission site. This is easily
accomplished by visiting www.dnb.com or by calling Dun & Bradstreet at
800-333-0505. There is no charge to obtain this number. The D-U-N-S
Number is used to establish your identity when submitting electronic files to
the Postal Service. The unique 9-digit D-U-N-S Number is an international
company identification standard.
The transmission methods to send the files are:
Dial-up FTP. Modem-to-modem via a
toll-free Postal Service phone line.
FTP via the Internet. FTP client,
command line, or browser.
Electronic data interchange. ANSI
Transportation Carrier Shipment Status
Message Transaction Set (214) and Motor
Carrier Pick-up Manifest Transaction Set
(215).
NOTE
NOTE
If you choose Postal
Service–preprinted
labels, you must
develop a way to link
the barcode to a
specific package and
record it in your
mailing file.
You must transmit an electronic file containing the barcode information,
recipient’s final destination ZIP Code, and other information in an ASCII text
file format.
To access the Postal Service network via modem or Internet, a Postal
Service-provided Logon ID and password is required. The process to obtain a
Logon ID is discussed in this section under the heading “Electronic Rate
Option Certification Process.”
Publication 91, September 2002
7