Terminal dues accounting is time-consuming and complex. To allow for more transparent accounting efficiency while also improving the quality of the data exchanged between posts, IPC has developed an electronic accounting tool called iPep.

How does it work?

IPC’s electronic accounting tool, iPep, allows postal operators to proceed with all their Terminal Dues (TD) accounting electronically from the despatch and sampling information until the production of the final invoice.
Through iPep, all forms are exchanged, amended and approved electronically, in a confidential and secured environment, with e-mail notifications when actions are undertaken, including: upload, download, comments, request for removal and/or acceptance of documents. The tool covers the following:

• The preparation, exchange and approval of letter data from dispatches (e55 - CN56) as well as for IBRS (e09 - CN10);
• The preparation, exchange and approval of sampling information (eNO1/e53 – NO3/CN54bis);
• The input of TDs rates and preparation of the CN61 form;
• Sampling planning module and Sampling accuracy report;
• Comparison reports between eNO1/e53 and e55 to validate the item estimation.

The tool also supports both UPU Terminal Dues Accounting and INTERCONNECT Terminal Dues Accounting.

One of the key elements of iPep is that operators can upload their quarterly sampling data and total weight into iPep and exchange the data with the other operators for approval. Based on that information, quarterly and yearly reports can be generated.

In addition, IBRS, postcards, and bi-lateral values can be keyed in to generate a yearly report highlighting the mail volume (in kilo and in number of items) per format and per mail category (air, surface).

The remuneration group table allows the operator to indicate the Terminal Dues rates (both the kilo and item components) per International Mail Processing Centres’ (IMPC) codes in order to produce the final invoice.

iPep is available to any postal operator. A trial period of the service is possible.

Benefits for posts

  • Allows postal operators to electronically exchange files and data while improving the quality of the data thanks to a large set of validity checks.
  • Speeds up the accounting process and communication between operators.
  • Compliant with UPU rules and regulations and is regularly updated following the decisions taken at UPU level. The electronic statements eNO1/e53 and e55 are already supported by International Postal System (IPS).
  • The electronic accounting tool is available online 24/7, is not limited to a specific workstation, does not have a limit of licences and includes maintenance service. This increases the transparency within the operators’ organisation. For instance, in case of a decentralised accounting department, potential points of discussions are available anytime and anywhere in the world.
  • Lastly, different remunerations can be applied to sub-flows on the basis of the IMPC code or the mail category. This makes iPep very flexible for the accounting of modern Terminal Dues agreements.

Who are the participants of iPep?

30 postal operators are using iPep: Österreichische Post (AT), bpost (BE), Swiss Post (CH), Ceska Posta (CZ), Deutsche Post DHL Group (DE), PostNord Danmark (DK), Omniva (EE), Correos (ES), Posti (FI), La Poste (FR), Royal Mail Group (GB), Hellenic Post ELTA (GR), Magyar Posta (HU), Hrvatska Posta (HR), An Post (IE), Iceland Post (IS), Poste Italiane (IT), Lietuvos Pastas (LT), POST Luxembourg (LU), Latvijas Past (LV), PostNL (NL), Posten Norge (NO), Poczta Polska (PL), CTT Portugal Post (PT), Posta Romana (RO), JSC Russian Post (RU), PostNord Sverige AB (SE), Slovenska Posta (SK), Posta Slovenije (SI), and USPS (US).

More information

For more information about iPep, contact [email protected].