Discussion Forums - USPS Postal Regulations

I know that you are not supposed to put packing tape over stamps on your package, but I have been printing the prepaid postage frob PBS and am not sure if I can put packing tape over this. Right now I am putting tape around but not over.

Thanks for any feedback.

I've taped over it and handed the books in at the post office and nothing was said to me about it. I think you're fine if it's pre-printed postage.

Taping over the postage area is fine.  However, some people have reported problems when taping over the bar code section of the label.  It can sometimes keep the bar code from being scanned properly.  I tape over the rest of the label, but leave the bar code untaped.

As said, tape is fine with preprinted postage.  Taping over the barcode area is a matter of personal preference.  Ripples and folds in the tape can make it impossible to scan the bar code. However, my carrier suggested taping over the barcode as some printer ink tends to smudge when it gets wet.  The PO doesn't seem to have any rule about it so whatever works for you, works  :  )

The PO does have a rule about not taping over the barcode. Like the previous poster said, ripples and folds affect the scanning accuracy. the very best way IMHO is to tape over the bottom half of the barcode and the numbers below the barcode. that way IF the untaped part is damaged in some way, the carrier can attempt to scan through the tape or manually type in the numbers.

I tape over the barcode all the time-I just make sure there's not ripples in the tape.  Never had a problem.

I always tape over the entire pre paid printed label.  When I first poined PBS I received a package that entire label was so smuged I was amazed that I even received it.  My name & address was unrecognizable.

I use an inkjet printer and tape over the whole label, barcode & postage included.

I'd rather chance a barcode not scanning properly than a package where the delivery address is smeared or smudged or unreadable.