USPS postage meter deadline 2027: What businesses need to know

Short answer: USPS is completing its transition from Information-Based Indicia (IBI) to Intelligent Mail Indicia (IMI). Intelligent Mail Indicia (IMI) is a 2D barcode used by USPS on mail pieces that provides details about the piece, such as the addresses of the sender and recipient, the tracking number, and postage rates and payment details.

Information-Based Indicia (IBI) is the older USPS standard which had been introduced in the late 1990s and only contains limited information.

While most IBI postage meters were already removed from service by the end of 2024, certain legacy IBI postage meters were allowed to remain in service. These meters must now be removed from service by December 31, 2027. If your business still uses an affected meter, check your equipment and contract now so you have time to plan the move to an IMI-compliant postage meter.

If you don't know whether your current postage meter is affected, now is a good time to find out.

Leases for affected Quadient meters cannot be extended. Customers must upgrade to an IMI-compliant iX system when their current lease ends (or by December 31, 2027 at the latest).

What is changing with USPS postage meters?

First, what exactly are IBI and IMI?

The indicia is the postage mark printed by the meter.

Information-Based Indicia (IBI) is the older USPS technology used by many legacy postage meters.

Intelligent Mail Indicia (IMI) is the newer USPS standard that provides more detailed information on mail pieces and includes new security and connectivity requirements.

For businesses, IMI means more frequent connectivity, automatic rate updates, stronger security, and more detailed postage data.

If your postage meter already uses IMI, you're all good. If your postage meter still uses IBI, you must replace it by December 31, 2027. Affected Quadient customers must upgrade sooner if their current lease ends before then.

What are the key USPS postage meter deadlines?

The move from IBI to IMI has happened in stages.

Who is affected by the 2027 IBI deadline?

The deadline applies to businesses still using legacy IBI postage meters, regardless of provider.

Quadient customers can check the affected models below. If you use another provider, check your meter's make and model and ask your provider to confirm whether it uses IBI or IMI. Any IBI postage meter still in service must be replaced by December 31, 2027.

Which Quadient postage meters are affected?

The following Quadient IBI postage meters must be upgraded when their current lease ends, or by December 31, 2027, at the latest. Leases for these models cannot be extended.

What should businesses do about the 2027 postage meter deadline?

If your postage meter is affected, start by checking your lease or rental end date.

For affected Quadient postage meters, the current lease cannot be extended. Customers must upgrade when the lease ends or by December 31, 2027, whichever comes first.

Then review how your team handles mail today. How much mail do you send in a typical week? Is it mainly letters, or do you also send parcels? Does your team feed and seal envelopes manually? Do you need to track postage spending by department or account?

Those answers can help you choose a replacement that fits the way your business handles mail today.

When comparing IMI-compliant postage meters, consider your mail volume, processing speed, weighing requirements, feeding and sealing, stacking, account tracking, reporting, and service and contract terms.

Quadient's iX-Series meets USPS IMI and dimensional weighing requirements and supports postage processing, tracking, reporting, and reconciliation.

Want to learn more about the technology? Read our comprehensive guide to IMI.

Not sure whether your postage meter is affected? Contact us to review your current equipment and explore IMI-compliant postage meters before the 2027 deadline.

What happens if you don't replace an affected meter?

After December 31, 2027, affected IBI postage meters will be withdrawn from service. They will no longer be able to print valid USPS postage, download postage funds, connect to USPS systems, or receive continued support.

Planning ahead can help you avoid disruption and give you time to replace your postage meter before the deadline.

What are the benefits of moving to IMI?

The deadline may prompt you to replace your postage meter, but compliance isn't the only reason to move to IMI.

• Stronger security: IMI uses improved security standards to help protect information transmitted to and from the postage meter.

• Greater connectivity: IMI postage meters use a network connection, not a dedicated phone line, supporting faster updates and postage refills.

• Automatic postage rate updates: IMI postage meters automatically connect to the manufacturer's servers every 72 hours, so rate changes and other updates reach the meter much faster.

• Accurate postage: IMI automatically calculates postage after the required service class is entered, reducing postage errors.

• More detailed transaction data: IMI provides USPS with transaction-level data and supports automated refunds, fraud detection, and the management of reprinted indicia.

If you need help replacing an affected postage meter, contact us to explore IMI-compliant options before December 31, 2027.

Frequently asked questions

What is the USPS postage meter deadline?

December 31, 2027 is the final deadline for remaining IBI postage meters to be removed from service.

Can I still use an IBI postage meter?

Yes, for now, if it is still in service under a USPS waiver. But it must be replaced by December 31, 2027. If you're a Quadient customer, check when you lease ends, if it's before December 31, 2027, you will have to upgrade to an IMI postage meter then.

Why are some IBI postage meters allowed until 2027?

USPS waivers allow certain legacy IBI postage meters to remain in service until December 31, 2027.

What happens to an IBI postage meter after December 31, 2027?

Affected meters will be withdrawn from service and will no longer be able to print valid USPS postage, download postage funds, connect to USPS systems, or receive continued support.

How can I tell whether my postage meter uses IBI or IMI?

Check the make and model of your postage meter and confirm whether it uses IBI or IMI. Quadient customers can check their model against the affected Quadient models listed in this guide; customers of other providers should confirm the technology with their provider.

Can I switch postage meter providers when replacing an IBI postage meter?

Yes, but first review your current lease, rental, or contract terms. If you're able to switch, the move to IMI is a good opportunity to compare USPS-authorized postage meter providers and choose a postage meter that better fits your mailing needs.

What should I look for in an IMI-compliant postage meter?

Consider your mail volume, weighing and postage calculation, processing speed, feeding and sealing, spend tracking, reporting, and service and contract terms.