WD2000: USPS Changes Postal Bar Code Requirements for Multi-Unit Buildings

The United States Postal Service (USPS) has changed the way postal bar codes for multi-unit buildings are calculated effective August 1, 1998; however, neither Microsoft Word 2000 nor Direct Mail Manager includes these changes.

The delivery point bar code for most addresses in multi-unit buildings is now calculated using a formula on the secondary number (such as an apartment or suite number) instead of using the last two numbers of the street address, such as all other postal codes use.

The changes to postal bar code calculations have no impact on the ability to ascertain or create postal bar codes in Microsoft Word 2000. In addition, the postal service states that the absence of this secondary information in address records does not affect rate eligibility or coding rates for address lists.