This feature is available for the following group(s):
BMEU
Insert “shift” within mailpieces prepared with window envelopes can adversely affect barcode readability. Therefore, verification must be performed on all letter-size AND flat-size pieces that have barcodes appearing through windows. Deployment of MERLIN does not negate this procedure. If the mailing fails the tap test, the mailing will not be allowed the automation rates and postage will be recalculated at nonautomation rates.
NOTE:
If needed, use Notice 67, Automation Template, or Item 04A, Automation Barcode Gauge, to confirm the measurements noted in this process.
Letter-size pieces with a delivery point barcode in the lower right corner are not subject to this procedure.
Go to: Tap Test Review Worksheet Entry Disposition (normal) Disposition (combined/VAR)
To perform tap test verification:
Randomly select ten (10) window envelopes from throughout the mailing. For mailings containing both window and regular envelopes, if ten window envelopes are not obtained from within the first fifty (50) pieces pulled, then the barcode window verification is not performed.
Check for vertical shift.
Tap each individual mailpiece twice on a flat horizontal surface on the envelope bottom edge (the edge parallel to the address as read).
Ensure that at least 1/25th of an inch of clear space appears between the top edges of the barcode and the top edge of the window of each piece without tapping/shaking the mailpiece upside down.
Ensure that a clear space of at least 1/25th of an inch appears between the bottom edges of the barcode and the bottom of the window
If an information line is above or below the barcode, ensure a minimum of 1/25th of an inch clearance exists between the barcode and the information line text.
Check for horizontal shift.
Tap each mailpiece separately on its left and right edges to jog the insert as far left and/or right as possible. Two taps are sufficient.
Check to ensure that at least a 1/8 inch clear space appears between the left and right edges of the barcodes and the window’s edge, as appropriate.
If no more than one (1) piece fails in the first sample, the mailing passes the Tap Test. If two (2) or more mailpieces in the first sample fail the tap test, repeat the test on 10 additional barcoded window envelopes.
If three (3) or more pieces fail at any time during the test (after the first 10 or a total of 20 pieces), the mailing fails the verification and is not eligible for automation rates.
If any errors are found in a sample, the results must be entered in the Tap Test Verification Worksheet in the PostalOne! system.
If no errors were found, 100% may be entered in the verification results field of the postage statement without completing the worksheet.
If the mailing falls below tolerance, open the Tap Test Verification Worksheet:
In the PostalOne! system, select the acceptance site and unit.
Click Dashboard and search for the postage statement associated with the mailing.
Open the postage statement.
On
the verification page of the postage statement, click the Create
Worksheet icon (
) next to Tap Test Results
on the postage statement to access the Tap Test Verification Worksheet.
If no errors are found in the mailing, 100% may be entered directly into the verification results section of the postage statement. Skip to step 7.
If
any errors are found, enter them in the PostalOne!
Tap Test Verification Worksheet. To access the worksheet, click the
Create Worksheet icon () next to the Tap Test Results
box on the postage statement. The header section on the worksheet
contains the information already entered in the postage statement.
In the Error Identification section, enter the requested information for the first 10-piece sample, then click Add Error. The sample displays in a row below the Add Error button. Some sections of the worksheet contain data based on the postage statement and cannot be edited. If one or no pieces in the first sample fail, the mailing passes verification. If 3 or more pieces in the first sample fail, the mailing fails the verification. Skip to step 6.
If the first sample has 2 pieces that fail, enter the information for the second 10-piece sample, then click Add Error. Some sections of the worksheet contain data based on the postage statement and cannot be edited. If the combination of errors in both samples is 3 or more, the mailing fails the verification.
NOTE:
When available, you can click the Worksheet Help icon (
)
for information on completing a worksheet.
Save and print the form as necessary. The worksheet will calculate any additional postage for mailings that fail verification.
To save errors entered on a worksheet and return to the worksheet later, click Save and Continue.
To print the form to fill out later, click Print Form. The form should be filed with the postage statement.
When finished entering errors, click Save and Submit. The worksheet closes, and the postage statement displays the verification information, including any additional postage pending. The PostalOne! system automatically calculates the error percentage.
Complete the postage statement.
Disposition (except Combined/Value Added Refund mailings)
If no more than one piece fails, the mailing passes the barcode window verification. Proceed with postage statement processing.
If three or more errors are detected and the mailing falls below tolerance:
Make a photocopy of a mailpiece or mailpieces that identify the types of errors found.
Provide the mailer with copies of the mailpiece(s), the adjustment worksheet from the PostalOne! system, and a notification explaining the test results. The mailer has the option of having the mail returned or paying additional postage.
If the mailer elects to have the mail returned, finalize the postage statement by selecting Returned for rework on the verification results screen.
If the mailer agrees to pay additional postage, record the name of the person who authorized the adjustment on the postage statement and select Collected additional postage on the verification results screen. The Tap Test Worksheet must be attached to the postage statement.
NOTE: If the mailer elects to pay additional postage, no changes to the preparation of the mailing are required.
Combined/Value Added Refund Disposition
Follow the same procedures for conducting a tap test for non-identical weight mailings submitted under the terms of a Combined/Value Added Refund (VAR) postage payment system.
These types of mailing, however, are unique in that they contain multiple types of addressed/barcoded pieces. This means it is possible that only a single type of mailpiece in the mailing may be address block barcoded in a window envelope. If those pieces failed the tap test, they would be the only pieces in the mailing that would not meet automation standards relative to the tap test.
Follow these procedures should pieces in a Combined/VAR mailing fail a tap test:
Inform the mailer of the finding and that for the mail to be accepted, non-automation rates will apply to the entire mailing or they can take the mailing back, remove the non-compliant pieces, and resubmit the mailing for re-verification.
If the mailer chooses to pay the nonautomation rates, inform the mailer that they have the right to appeal the decision within 90 days if they can show by documentation and by confirmation of the acceptance employee at the time of the mailing, that the only pieces in the mailing that failed the tap test is one specific type of envelope from one specific client. (Multiple envelopes from one or more clients failing the tap test will be regarded as a complete failure of the mailer’s quality control process, and an appeal is not valid.)
The mailer will submit their appeal to the district manager of Business Mail Entry who will review for completeness and forward to the manager of Business Mailer Support, USPS Headquarters.
The manager of Business Mail Entry will review the appeal and determine if the appeal is valid. If the appeal is upheld, the mailer will be entitled to a refund for all the pieces paid at the nonautomation rate that were not the mailpiece type that failed the tap test.
For more information, see Finalizing a Postage Statement.