Division of Finance and Administration

UVM Departments and Staff Shipping

Getting Started

What is a PMC Shipping Code?

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PMC Shipping Codes were created by the Print & Mail Center (PMC) to allow departments and staff to send mail while ensuring charges are accurately posted in PeopleSoft to a chartstring of their choice. When mail is sent from either the Given or Waterman locations, a Shipping Code is required for charges to be applied correctly.

Shipping Codes serve two key purposes:

  • They provide a simple identifier that can be used with vendors who are unable to accept a full PeopleSoft chartstring.
  • They allow PMC to allocate vendor charges to the designated chartstring when billing is received.

Shipping Codes are managed through the CMS App, which makes it easy to create, update, and maintain your codes as needed.

What Is The CMS App?

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The Code Management System (CMS App) makes it easy to create and manage your PMC Shipping Codes in one place. There’s no signup required—any UVM employee can log in using their UVM NetID.

Once you’re logged in, you can create new Shipping Codes, make updates to existing ones, or inactivate codes you no longer need. Please keep in mind that inactivating a Shipping Code is permanent and cannot be undone, so be sure before making that change.

If you have questions or need help while using the CMS App, feel free to reach out to pmc@uvm.edu—we’re always happy to assist!

Shipping And Sending Mail Made Easy

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Sending mail on campus is simple and convenient with the Print & Mail Center. Every department has a designated mail drop location, where you can leave rubber-banded bundles of #10 envelopes labeled with a Shipping Code for pickup. Our mail team stops by each location daily and brings outgoing mail back to Given or Waterman, where USPS metered postage is applied.

Need to send something other than standard letter mail? No problem—we make that easy too!

It’s as simple as:

  • Get a Shipping Code
    Not sure which code to use? Start by checking with your financial manager—they may already have one for you. If you need to create a new code, just head to the CMS App.
  • Pack it up
    Getting a package ready? Stop by Waterman if you need boxes or packing supplies—we’ve got you covered.
  • Bring your package and Shipping Code to Given or Waterman
    Both locations have daily pickups from USPS, UPS, and FedEx. Our team is happy to walk you through your shipping options to help make sure your package gets where it needs to go, on time.

Shipping doesn’t have to be complicated—we’re here to help every step of the way!

Roles and Responsibilities

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Please note that the Print & Mail Center (PMC) manages the CMS App itself, but does not manage individual Shipping Codes. If you have questions about a specific code, your first point of contact should always be your department’s CMS Manager.

There are two roles within the CMS App: Department CMS Manager and Contact. Users who are not assigned one of these roles will not be able to view any codes.


Department CMS Manager

Each department is assigned one CMS Manager, who is financially responsible for all charges associated with Shipping Codes used by that department. Some managers may oversee multiple departments, but every department will always have a single, designated CMS Manager.

The CMS Manager is responsible for:

  • Creating, maintaining, and managing all Shipping Codes for their assigned department
  • Viewing and editing all department codes (including those assigned to contacts)
  • Ensuring all chartstrings validate (VV) successfully in PeopleSoft using internal accounts (80023 / 80025 / 80033) before a code is created, updated, or used

If a chartstring does not validate and charges must be corrected, the department is responsible for completing any required transfers. This often occurs when a code is created before chartstrings are fully validated—especially important during end-of-month or end-of-year processing when timely journal submissions are critical.

CMS Managers are also responsible for:

  • Keeping Shipping Codes up to date
  • Working within their department to establish procedures for proper code use
  • Retaining any records required by their department
  • Accepting responsibility for all charges made using their department’s Shipping Codes

For departments without any Shipping Codes, the CMS Manager’s list will appear blank until a code is created.


Contact

Each Shipping Code is assigned a Contact. Contacts are responsible for coordinating with their department’s CMS Manager regarding how their codes are used.

As a Contact:

  • You can view and manage only the codes for which you are listed as the Contact
  • Before creating, using, or updating a code, you must coordinate with your CMS Manager to ensure the chartstring validates properly in PeopleSoft
  • With your CMS Manager’s permission, you may share your Shipping Code with others, but you remain responsible for its use

If you are not listed as a Contact for any code, your list will appear blank.


All Other Users

If you log in to the CMS App and do not see any Shipping Codes, please contact your department’s CMS Manager before proceeding. This will help prevent errors and ensure charges are applied correctly.

If you’re unsure who your CMS Manager is or need help getting started, your department can assist, or you may reach out to PMC for general guidance.

All other users: If you log in and do not see any codes, please first reach out to your CMS Manager for instructions before proceeding to avoid any issues.

Common Department FAQs

Is a PMC Shipping Code the same thing as a PMC Code?

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PMC Codes are not needed for requesting print work with us, and customers should submit a full chartstring when requesting print work. PMC Codes have been renamed PMC Shipping Codes to clarify with our customers, that these are only required for metered mail, FedEx, and UPS.

How do I get a new shipping code?

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Please go to CMS to request a new code. Your department's CMS Manager may need to approve your new code, so its best to check in with them.

I've submitted the request for a new code in CMS, what to expect:

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Please verify with your department's CMS Manager, that the code is good to use and will VV in Peoplesoft without errors to the following Peoplesoft Accounts: 80025 & 80033 (E6000, E6012, F6002). For requests made by individuals whose home department does not match the department associated with the chartstring, an email is automatically sent out to the CMS Manager notifying them of your request. Please contact the CMS Manager and confirm that the code is good to use.

How can I update all the Shipping Codes for our department?

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Yes. Department Shipping Code CMS Managers have the ability to see/edit the full list of your department’s shipping codes within CMS and may have already done this for you. You should first check in with them to make sure that requests are not duplicated and the appropriate budgets are opened and will VV in Peoplesoft without errors against the following accounts (this may involve contacting your department's budget/financial manager or SPA)
Mail Accounts - 80025/80033 (E6000, E6012, F6002).

I can't see codes I've created or I can't find my code?

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Department CMS Managers can see all codes that were created using a chartstring that includes their department number, while general users may only view codes where they are listed as the contact. If you are creating codes for other people (listing others as the contact) and you are not listed as the CMS Manager for your department, you will not be able to see these codes. Only those listed as the CMS Manager and Contact will be able to view these codes. Verify who in your department should be listed as the CMS manager and contact pmc@uvm.edu and include the current CMS Manager on the email, if you would like to update who should be allowed access.

Why do I need a PMC Shipping Code?

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A PMC Shipping Code provides UVM Departments with an automated process for mail and shipping needs while accurately allocating charges to the appropriate Peoplesoft chart string account number. The PMC Shipping Code was created to interact with 3rd party software that do not support Peoplesoft's 50 character alpha numeric chartstring. Therefore: If you are a UVM Department and want to use a PeopleSoft Chartsting to send mail through USPS, UPS, or FedEx, you will need a PMC Shipping Code, please go to CMS

Is there anything I need to do before creating/requesting a new Shipping Code?

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Yes. Department Shipping Code CMS Managers have the ability to see full list of your department’s shipping codes within CMS and may already have a code for you. You should first check in with them to make sure that requests are not duplicated and the appropriate budgets are opened and will VV in Peoplesoft without errors against the following accounts (this may involve contacting your department's budget/financial manager or SPA)
Mail Accounts - 80025/80033 (E6000, E6012, F6002).

Can I make changes to an existing PMC Shipping Code?

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Yes and no. Historical record and accounting requires that we retain all chartfield related information for all shipping codes. However, you are welcomed to change any non-chartstring related fields.

Can I get more details about what was shipped and to who?

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No, PMC processes hundreds of thousands of pieces of mail annually and allocates those charges to Peoplesoft journals using a valid Shipping Code but does not maintain records beyond what is needed to process these charges to a journal. Each department is responsible for developing their own process for maintaining any records needed by their department.

Can I get a receipt for the mail I sent out with my Shipping Code?

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No, PMC processes hundreds of thousands of pieces of mail annually and allocates those charges to Peoplesoft journals using a valid Shipping Code but does not maintain records beyond what is needed to process these charges to a journal. Each department is responsible for developing their own process for maintaining any records needed by their department.

How do I send mail to be metered?

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The PMC picks up and delivers mail daily to all departments on campus. Metered mail received will be weighed and have postage applied to each piece of mail with a valid PMC Shipping Card attached. "Did you know that you can send multiple bundles of mail with a single PMC Shipping Card? This means you can have all of your mail metered and keep more of your cards available for when you need them."
1. Separate your outgoing mail into three categories: letters within the United States, flats within the United States, and international mail leaving the United States.
- For large stacks of envelopes that need to be sealed, please stack them with the flaps down (separate international pieces and place in a separate stack).
- Large mailings, please notify print.mail@uvm.edu 24-hours in advance
- * Square flaps are not machine sealable. Please seal these manually.
2. Attach a PMC Shipping Card using a rubber band to your outgoing metered mail (remember only one is needed for each of your daily pickups). Use a card even if you only have one piece of mail.
3. That's it, we'll process your mail and send you the PMC Shipping Card back via campus mail the following business day.

Why use PMC for your bulk mail?

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The University of Vermont sends out more bulk mail than any other form of U.S. mail. Each year UVM mails in excess of three million brochures, postcards, catalogs and newsletters. Though the basic premise of bulk mailing is easily understood, the step-by-step process can be complex and confusing. Allow us to help you understand that step-by-step process and make the most of your postage dollar. Bulk mailings are an effective means to reach a large audience at an affordable rate. The postage costs are discounted because the sender (UVM Print & Mail Center and you) absorbs the labor involved with preparing the mail for entry with the USPS. The majority of the bulk mailings produced by UVM departments falls into the Standard A Non-profit category. USPS regulations governing the use of non-profit mail are very complex and restrictive. Let us help with USPS compliance with the content based restrictions of non-profit mail.
- A minimum of 200 pieces or 15 lbs. is required.
- The mailing pieces must be printed or duplicated material.
- The pieces must be of identical size weight and content.
- Always use a UVM return address and include "The University of Vermont" in the body of the address.
- Use a pre-printed mailing indicia.
- Mailing list data files must be in a ASCII comma delimited or Dbase compatible format.
- Label lists and mailings that are pre-labeled must be in ascending zip code order.
- Schedule your project at least two weeks in advance.
- Submit a Bulk Mailing Request Form with the job.
- Depending on the size of your job, turnaround is 24 to 72 hours.

Can I have the UVM Account number so I can give it to someone else to send me something?

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PMC recommends that UVM employees create a label for their customers if they accept the charges to have someone else ship a package to them at UVM. UVM employees can create this label for the customer by logging in with their PMC created userid's to create a FedEx and UPS shipping label and correctly changing the Send From and Send To information to accurately show that it is coming from their customer's name/address and being delivered to a UVM name/address. This will ensure that the charges are efficiently allocated to the correct budgets as PMC does not accept packages 'billed to recipient: UVM.' Remember, you can also create a return label if you are sending something out that will be returned.    ***It is policy not to provide UVM shipping account numbers to any 3rd party*** to protect the integrity of the University to maintain shipping services to the UVM community. We recognize the risk that this would impose to the disruption of services that so many people on campus rely on, as being too great and would be detrimental to the Universities mission of serving the research and academic needs of this community. Protect your privilege to ship with UPS/FedEx. Never give out your account number to anyone. If you are having someone ship a package to you and want to accept the shipping charges, our recommendation is that you create the label yourself using your PMC created userid and send them a copy/scan of the label for them to use. Alternatively, you could request a label that they create charging it to their own account and billing you for the charge. We do not accept packages billed to UVM as they do not contain information needed to assign responsibility and create a journal. If you need help creating this label, please reach out to us at 802-656-2960.

I want someone to send me a UPS/FedEx package...

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PMC recommends that UVM employees create a label for their customers if they accept the charges to have someone else ship a package to them at UVM. UVM employees can create this label for the customer by logging in with their PMC created userid's to create a FedEx and UPS shipping label and correctly changing the Send From and Send To information to accurately show that it is coming from their customer's name/address and being delivered to a UVM name/address. This will ensure that the charges are efficiently allocated to the correct budgets as PMC does not accept packages 'billed to recipient: UVM.' Remember, you can also create a return label if you are sending something out that will be returned.

I want to send a package USPS...

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You will need a PMC Shipping Code, there are two steps to this. First, verify your chartstring will VV in Peoplesoft without errors to the following Peoplesoft Accounts: 80025 & 80033 (E6000, E6012, F6002). Second, go to CMS, to create your code. With a code in hand, attach this to your mail to be picked up at your Department's designated mail pickup location. PMC picks up mail daily at each department on campus. You can also hand deliver your mail to be metered at either our Given or Waterman locations.

I want to send a UPS/FedEx package from my desktop...

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You will need a PMC Shipping Code and a PMC created FedEx/UPS userid, there are three steps to this. First, verify your chartstring will VV in Peoplesoft without errors to the following Peoplesoft Accounts: 80025 & 80033 (E6000, E6012, F6002).  Second, please go to CMS to request a code. Lastly, use the CMS to request a PMC created FedEx/UPS userid if you do not already have one. NOTE: Do not try to create a FedEx/UPS user account on your own as this can create complications and will delay your request. While the code creation part of the process has been significantly reduced, the process to make UPS and FedEx userid's work with Peoplesoft is still a lengthy process because these systems do not work well together. Thank you in advance for your patience. Once set up, you will receive an email with instructions on how to login and complete the registration process. Once you have completed the registration setup, you will be able to ship from any computer that has internet access and a valid Shipping Code.

My predecessor has a FedEx/UPS userid already setup, can I just use that one?

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Yes and No. If a department userid was setup with a department netid and email, then yes, Departments may continue using this department assigned userid. This type of userid is valued by departments because of their ability to help with organizational changes like staff turnover and with groups like student labs. However, if a personal userid's is assigned to an employee's netid and email, these are non-transferrable and follow the employee, even when they transfer to a new department. If the employee is no longer working at UVM, the userid is deactivated. This system assigns the employee/department the responsible party for packages sent, and ensures charges are allocated properly to the correct budget. Therefore these personal userid's are not transferrable. Please contact print.mail@uvm.edu with your department email if you need a department userid setup, and we'll be happy to get that started for you.

Do you verify the chartstring before issuing Shipping Codes?

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No. Departments are required to provide an alternate chartstring that will be used if there are any errors during the journaling process. In the event we receive a charstring error that will not VV in Peoplesoft, the code's allowable services will be turned off and a note will be added to the code from within CMS with instructions. The note will include what the Peoplesoft error was. Once this is resolved, the code may be updated to allow services again. Codes with repeated issues may be flagged, which will require the issues to be resolved before the code will be accessible again. This has greatly reduced the time it takes for departments to get a working shipping code and start using it. Departments are ultimately responsible for providing a working chartstring that will VV in Peoplesoft without errors to the following Peoplesoft Accounts: 80025 & 80033 (E6000, E6012, F6002).

How many PMC Shipping Cards can I get?

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The CMS now allows users to print their own cards. Please check with your Department's CMS Manager for any requirements they may have. Department’s remain responsible for all charges to their shipping code.