Cornell University Mail Services
311 E. Palm Road
Ithaca, NY 14850
607-254-8284
All Departments that use Centralized Metering,
1-26-15
As of Jan. 26, 2015, new regulations mandated by the United States Postal Service requires label
400 to be placed on all domestic packages, parcels, standard post, library mail and media mail,
Priority Mail and any mail over 13 ounces. Once the mail piece enters the US Postal System,
Label 400 allows both the sender, and the Post Office, a way to track their mail piece without
any additional cost. Cornell Mail Services has a small supply of label 400 that you can request if
needed. You can also order Label 400 at www.usps.com, free of charge. If you want to be able
to track your package with label 400, it will be your responsibility to place the label on your mail
piece and to keep the tracking number yourself. Cornell Mail Services will not be keeping any
tracking numbers
Below is an example of label 400. The top of the label is to be placed on the package (not the
top left corner where postage is applied).
The bottom of the label has your copy of the tracking number for your records. Keep this
number. Cornell Mail Services will not retain any of this information.
Regardless of whether you want to track the mail piece, the label is still required. It is the
responsibility of the sender to apply the label, as it is your responsibility to submit customs forms
or certified forms.
Label 400 is not for use on a letter or large envelope (weighing less than 13 ounces). You would
still need to use certified mail to track this type of mail.
This does not apply to international (foreign) mail.
What is the IM®pb?
The Intelligent Mail® package barcode is the Postal Service's next generation tracking barcode
for parcels and Extra Services. A package with an IMpb allows the USPS® to provide end users
with detailed tracking information. The barcode offers full visibility to package tracking on the
delivery status of the parcel as it routes to its destination.
What items require a barcode?
Parcels, packages, and Priority Mail® Express or Priority Mail® pieces of any shape, size, or
price category, including flat-rate boxes and envelopes require an IMpb (barcode). In addition,
the following mail classes require an IMpb:
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First-Class Mail Package Services
Standard Mail
Library Mail
Media Mail
What are the benefits?
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Providing end-to-end tracking information
Offering status from every scan point – leading to better management of shipment
expectations
Automatically qualifying for Free Insurance on Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express
Items with a value up to $50 (Priority) / $100 (Priority Mail Express)
Delivering a neat and clean shipping label
Eliminating the need for multiple barcodes on a package
The following scenarios should help provide some guidance, however for more specific rules,
please refer to the USPS Notice 123 – read the rules for First Class Mail (large envelopes/flats
handling/ conversion to Priority Mail). http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm
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If you are sending out a First-Class mail piece in the manila envelope and it is less than
13 oz and does not have any Extra Services - then the answer is NO. An IMpb is not
required.
If you are sending out a First-Class mail piece in the manila envelope and it is less than
13 oz and it DOES have an Extra Service applied to it, then the answer is YES – you do
need an IMpb - because the requirement for IMpb effects Extra Services.
If you are sending out a manila envelope and the weight goes over 13 oz – then the
answer is YES – because that item is now considered Priority Mail and Priority Mail
requires an IMpb.