Intelligent Mail Indicia Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Information Based Indicia (IBI) meter technology will be discontinued by the USPS in 2 months*
What you need to know
- Effective June 30, 2024, all Information Based Indicia (IBI) meter technology will be discontinued.*
- To remain compliant and avoid service disruption mailers must switch to an Intelligent Mail Indicia (IMI) solution.
- If your device is still non-compliant after this date a grace period will be provided, however, it will need to be withdrawn from service by the end of 2024.*
- As an approved USPS partner, Pitney Bowes has you covered with a suite of IMI-compliant solutions.
*Due to enhanced security features, the USPS has extended the service withdrawal deadline for Connect + and SendPro P-Series devices beyond 2024. You can continue using your system through the end of the current lease period and transition to an IMI solution at that time.
If you are using one of the following postage devices, you are using IBI technology. Click here to see if you have an upgrade offer available or visit Your Account.
Replacement: SendPro® Mailstation
Replacement: SendPro C-Lite or C/+
Replacement: SendPro C-Lite or C/+
Replacement: SendPro C-lite or C/+
Replacement: SendPro C-Auto or SendPro MailCenter
Replacement: SendPro C-Lite or C/+
Replacement: SendPro MailCenter
Replacement: SendPro MailCenter
USPS Mandate FAQs
How do I know if I have an IMI postage device?
If you are using one of the following postage devices, you are using IMI technology and are not required to make any changes at this time.
Where can I learn more about how to move to an IMI postage device?
Simply log in to Your Account to view if your meter is IBI or IMI technology. Here you can access a single view of all active meters and the IBI or IMI designation will appear to the right of the product name. If you are within a year of your lease ending or currently renting, enter your account number here to see if you have any offer(s) available.
Not a client? Click here to have a representative contact you.
When will USPS require non-IMI devices to be removed from the market?
There is a lot going on, so here’s a snapshot of key dates to remember.
- June 30, 2024: The USPS will discontinue all IBI meters after this date.* To remain compliant, you must switch to an IMI-compliant solution.
- December 31, 2024: If your device is still non-compliant after June 30, a grace period will be provided through this date. During this time, you can continue using your current meter but are required to migrate to an IMI-compliant solution to avoid potential disruptions to your mailing operation. After this date, IBI meters will not be able to print valid postage.*
- June 30, 2026: DM Infinity™ will be withdrawn from service at this time through a USPS-approved extension. We are fast at work to deliver a solution that meets both your needs and USPS regulations. Find information and updates on your DM Infinity replacement here.
*Due to enhanced security features, the USPS has extended the service withdrawal deadline for Connect + and SendPro P-Series devices beyond 2024. You can continue using your system through the end of the current lease period and transition to an IMI solution at that time.
Why did the USPS mandate a move to the IMI standard?
Postage and transaction data that the USPS gets from IBI technology is limited, and it inhibits them from fully automating some back-office operations (such as refunds and proper postage payment validation).
The IMI standard will provide much more detailed real-time transaction data, enabling the USPS to automate operations, employ better security standards, and ensure correct postage is used. This is not the first technology migration the USPS has mandated, and it certainly won’t be the last. We’re here to make the transition as seamless as possible.
Read more in our latest blog, USPS® IMI: Compliance Comes with Benefits
Interested in learning more? Click here to have a Pitney Bowes sales representative contact you.
How does the new IMI standard benefit my business?
- Eliminate overspending with the new option to select desired service class for more accurate postage.
- Improve mail deliverability and efficiency with real-time transactional data.
- Robust security encrypts sensitive data to facilitate Fraud Detection, making your organization less susceptible to cyberattacks.
[Webinar] The Countdown is ON to the USPS 2024 Mandate
Join Pitney Bowes industry experts Tom Hazel and David Bilodeau as they breakdown the upcoming USPS® mandate and answer the most pressing questions around Intelligent Mail Indicia (IMI) technology. Understanding what this means ahead of the mandate is critical to help you avoid business disruptions.
Register for our webinar on May 1 at 2:00pm EST to hear about the intelligent mail journey, what it means for mailers, and how PB helps ensure compliance. Register today.
Existing clients can also login to Your Account to understand if your current technology is compliant.
Adopting the Intelligent Mail Indicia is required – but there are also six smart reasons to comply. Read the latest blog from our staff writer for news, tips and updates on the IMI changes.
*SendPro® P-Series/Connect+® must be withdrawn from service by December 31, 2027.