Upcoming USPS IMI Compliance Mandate: What You Need to Know

The United States Postal Service (USPS) is gearing up for a significant shift in postage meter regulations, and your current mailing machine may no longer be recognized as an authorized postage meter.

If you're using Information Based Indicia (IBI) postage meters, be prepared for changes starting on June 30, 2024, as they'll be declared inactive by the USPS. In this blog, we'll walk you through what you need to know about IMI compliance and this new era of postage meter regulations. 

Overview of the new USPS requirements

The USPS is implementing changes to ensure the adoption of Intelligent Mail Indicia (IMI) standards across all mailing systems.

Essentially, if your current mailing machine is not IMI-compliant, you will need to purchase or lease a machine that uses IMI technology for your mailing and metering operations. It's crucial to understand the timeline of these changes to avoid any disruptions to your mailing operations. So, let’s talk about it.

Decertification Deadline: June 30, 2024

Come June 30, 2024, all postage meters that do not meet the USPS IMI-compliance standards will be decertified.

If your current postage meter is an Information Based Indicia (IBI) device, it will need to be replaced with one that is IMI-compliant. However, if your current mailing machine is not USPS IMI-compliant, there is a grace period before USPS will deem it inactive.

Grace Period until December 31, 2024

While the decertification process begins in June, the USPS allows a grace period until December 31, 2024. During this time, you can continue using your existing postage meter. However, after the 31st, your machine will be officially declared inactive.

This means all postage machines that do not meet the new requirements will need to be upgraded by this time. 

Fund Usage Post-Decertification

Although your decertified machine can still be used until the end of 2024, it's important to note that you cannot add any additional funds after June 30, 2024. Plan your postage needs accordingly to avoid any disruptions in your mailing processes.

By June 30, 2025, any postage indicia printed by Decertified Postage Evidencing Systems (PES), including IBI systems, will not be accepted for postage use and refunds (Source: federalregister.gov). You must submit your refund requests for all unused postage indicia before this date. 

Understanding the Benefits of IMI SYSTEMS

There are a handful of reasons the USPS is implementing this change. 

Essentially, the IMI system is a more technologically advanced, sophisticated system when compared to the IBI system. IMI builds upon the existing IBI features to bring forth improvements that will enhance the USPS’ capabilities. 

Benefits of the new IMI standards include:

• More accurate postage
• Real-time updates on the latest changes, such as rates
• Enhanced security measures 
• A more integrated, digital-friendly mail service

Start Preparing Today

As the USPS® embraces Intelligent Mail Indicia (IMI) standards, businesses and individuals must proactively adapt to the evolving landscape of postage meters. To avoid disruptions, ensure your postage meter complies with IMI standards before the June 30, 2024 deadline. 

As we head into the New Year, it’s important to start planning for your transition to IMI as soon as possible. As a provider of Mint Mailing Systems by Formax, we invite you to explore the advanced features that go beyond IMI compliance, enhancing the efficiency and reliability of your mailing process. 

Contact us today to discover how Mint Mailing Systems can optimize your mailing experience while ensuring you maintain USPS compliance.