032  Postal Registration Number (R)  (Variable Data Field)

Field definition and scope:

Field 032 contains a postal service registration number that is required in some countries for certain mailing class privileges.

In the United States, a U.S. Postal Service (USPS) publication number is assigned to publications to which permission has been given to be mailed at second class rates.  The determination of eligibility for second class postal rates usually depends on the frequency and circulation of a serial.  The USPS number is printed on authorized serial titles.

In Canada, Canada Post (CP) assigns the Second Class Mail Registration Number.

There is not always a one-to-one relationship between the postal registration number and the International Standard Serial Number (ISSN).  The permit to use second class postal rates is given to a serial under one registration number.  If the serial changes its title, etc., the postal registration number usually stays the same while a new ISSN would often be assigned to the changed title, etc.  In the United States, an attempt is made at the U.S. Postal Service and the National Serials Data Program (that is responsible for assigning ISSNs) to keep the two identification numbers in sync as much as is possible.  NSDP reports to USPS when new ISSNs are assigned to publications bearing USPS registration numbers.

When the serial title is no longer mailed at second class rates (e.g., because the publisher abandoned the second class authorization), field 032 is deleted from the MARC record.

The National level record requirement for this field is Optional.

Field 032 is repeatable.

Guidelines for applying content designators:

For indicator and subfield code definitions and examples, National-level (NLR) and Minimal-level (MLR) record requirements, and designator repeatability, see table below:

Input conventions:

Display constant

Related MARC field or document:

880  Alternate Graphic Representation

See also:

0XX  Numbers and Codes

Variable Data Fields