Package Barcode & SSF Requirements for Business Mail Entry Unit (BMEU) Parcel Mailings

April 27, 2026

As of January 19, 2025, the Intelligent Mail Matrix Barcode (IMmb) was introduced as an additional package barcode requirement.

In addition to the parcel barcode requirements, in 2014, in association with these parcel mailings, the USPS also required submitting a Shipping Services File (SSF) to receive commercial prices. The SSF is an electronically submitted document that provides detailed information about each package being sent, ensuring it is properly manifested and recognized by USPS.

• The SSF is the document that links your payment to each package.
• The absence of the SSF shields the USPS from any proof of postage payment when the package is validated on our package processing machines.
• Lack of an SSF will lead to package interception due to lack of payment and perceived fraud.
• Packages intercepted due to lack of an SSF could result in loss of packages and are not eligible for any type of refund.

To prevent parcels from being intercepted, effective June 1, 2026, package mailings submitted at BMEUs not meeting the IMpb/IMmb and SSF requirements will not be accepted. This action is being taken to comply with DMM regulations and to provide better overall customer experience.

Please reference DMM 204.2.1.5 Electronic File for information regarding the SSF requirements.

All mailers generating an IMpb and IMmb must transmit piece-level information to USPS in an approved electronic-file format (except for mailers generating barcodes for use on return services

products, such as uninsured USPS Returns service packages).