However, periodicals increased less than the Postal Service had planned for the quarter. Standard A mail exceeded Postal Service expectations. Postal officials complained they were getting more volume but making less profit because services with the highest profit margins, such as First Class mail, were not meeting budget expectations. In fact, First Class mail declined from the same period a year ago. Postal officials also announced that a barcode confirmation program called Merlin will now apply to flat mail.
Flats is a term applied to most magazines and non-letter size mail.
Merlin will check the quality of barcodes on all bulk mailings presented to the postal service. If the quality of the barcode fails to meet USPS standards, the mailing will be rejected for automation rates. Mailers will want to make sure the quality of their barcodes meets USPS requirements. This product could be available by mid-year. Delivery standards for First Class mail are also being adjusted in thousands of places.