Gidday,

Recently I have been getting inquiries about what the codes and colored boxes mean on postal Junk mail address labels.

It’s an very difficult question to answer because I am afraid most all catalogs have different meanings and different numbers. The reason is that catalog companies use their internal tracking customer numbers, catalog numbers, reference numbers, source codes, etc… to track where they got your information from or which catalog you are ordering from.

Sometimes catalogs will send a one off mailing and there will only be one code on the catalog. Some will have all sorts of numbers because you are a current customer. These codes will tell them 2 things; where they got your name from and how to track the order when you purchase from the mailing.

Here are some of the address label codes from catalogs demystified in relationship to opting out of junk mail:

USPS Postal bulk mailing codes which are not relevant:

1. In General the first line of the Address label looks like:
*******************ECRLOT 0123D**C-018
are not relevant.

2. Numbers to the left or right of your name that look like
003
P290
92675
Are also not relevant they are USPS Postal mailing codes and permit numbers that the Post Office uses on bulk mailings.

Relevant Direct Mail Codes:

1. Colored boxes
These are generally marked clearly as customer Number and catalog/source/keycode. When using stopthejunkmail.com to remove your name from mailing lists, use these numbers in the corresponding entry areas provided or write “Catalog Code LL2369110″ to be clear.

2. Non Labeled Codes and Numbers
Sometimes you will also find a number in the first line above your name, this is generally the Customer Number. They may even appear with a C as the first letter.

3. How do you confirm that you have the right codes?
Most catalogs have an order form inside the cover or a lift out flyer in the middle of the catalog. In here your name and address will be printed and above it there will be the same numbers as there are on the address label. This will confirm which numbers are relevant.

4. Stopthejunkmail.com
Our website provides entry boxes for members to enter as much of the relevant codes information as possible, but they are only guidelines. If you see a code that says Ref#, then write Ref# in the box provided. If you have a string of numbers without a label then just write them all out as they appear in the boxes provided.

Summary
All of these numbers are meaningful to the direct mail company and will help them determine where your name came from, if it was rented, bought, shared or on their own mailing list. Supplying this information when you are removing your name from mailing lists will make sure you are removed quickly and efficiently.

Cheerio,
Margot