UPU
UNIVERSA L
POSTAL
UNION
CEP 2014.2–Doc 3h
(POC 2014.2–Doc 3h)
POSTAL OPERATIONS COUNCIL
Matters relating to Committee 1 (Supply Chain Integration). S9 (Postal receptacle identifier) –
Proposed update to indicate presence of express items
Document by the Standards Board
(Agenda item 3h)
1
Subject
References/paragraphs
A proposed update to UPU technical standard S9 to indicate the presence §§ 1 to 9
of express items on a bilateral basis.
2
Decision expected
The POC is requested to approve the proposed update to S9.
I.
§ 10 and Annex 1
Introduction
1
UPU technical standard S9 (Postal receptacle identifier) defines the 29-character identifier that
uniquely identifies a postal receptacle. It also contains operational information about the receptacle.
2
The 29-character identifier is structured as follows:
Character position
Data format1
Meaning
1–6
a6
Origin IMPC (international mail processing centre) code
7–12
a6
Destination IMPC code
13
a1
Mail category code
14–15
a2
Mail subclass code
16
n1
Dispatch year
17–20
n4
Dispatch number
21–23
n3
Receptacle serial number
24
n1
Highest numbered receptacle indicator
25
n1
Registered/insured indicator
26–29
n4
Gross weight
1
a = alphabetic; n = numeric.
DOT.PNC
Hd
29.8.2014
2
3
At the 2014.1 POC Committee 1 meeting, Canada proposed amendments to S9 concerning character
position 25, in order that it might also indicate the presence of express items. Given the technical nature of
the matter, it was decided that the proposed amendment should first be submitted to the Standards Board.
II.
S9 (Postal receptacle identifier) – Reason for request
4
With the growth of e-commerce worldwide, express services are rapidly becoming a popular fulfilment
choice. It is important to have an automated means of identifying receptacles containing express items when
scanning the receptacle barcode.
5
As is the case with receptacles containing registered or insured items, specific processes are involved
when receptacles containing express items are opened. However, unlike registered and insured items, the
current S9 barcode used on receptacle labels does not allow for automated identification of receptacles
containing express items.
6
In the absence of access to electronic information, the proposed amendment to S9 would allow the
operational clerk or system scanning the receptacle to more easily and accurately identify receptacles containing express items and ensure that they are given the required preferential treatment.
III.
S8 (Postal dispatch identifier) and S9 (Postal receptacle identifier) – Update request
7
At the 2014.3 Standards Board meeting in June 2014, Canada proposed that character 25 of S9 be
amended to indicate the presence of express items (in addition to registered and insured items).
8
The Standards Board was advised that, further to discussions within the Data and Code Definition/
Electronic Exchange Group (DCG/EXG), a Standards Board working group charged with the definition of
codes and data related to the exchange of information for postal applications as well as the definition and
maintenance of all standards concerned with computer-based electronic data exchange, it would be better to
add the facility to indicate the presence of express items on a bilateral basis rather than on a mandatory
basis, as it might affect operations.
9
Further to deliberations, the Standards Board (see POC C 1 SB 2014.3–Draft report) agreed to modify
the text of S9 to enable the provision, on a bilateral basis, of the easy identification of receptacles containing
express items on a bilateral basis (see 5.5 of draft update to S9).
IV.
/
Decision expected
10
As S9 is at status 2 (Approved UPU standard), any modification to the standard requires POC
approval. The POC is therefore requested to approve the proposed update to S9 attached at Annex 1
(English only).