eLOT ensures that Enhanced Carrier Route mailings are sorted as close as possible to the actual delivery sequence. eLOT sequence is not an exact walk sequence but a sequence of ZIP + 4® Codes arranged in the order that the route is served by a carrier. First the ZIP + 4® groups are sequenced. Then the addresses within each group are identified as being in ascending or descending order.
eLOT can be used by mailers who prepare carrier route mailings other than high-density/125-piece or saturation mailings. eLOT sequencing is required for Basic Enhanced Carrier Route Standard Mail except automation-compatible, letter-size pieces.
Note: You must install the U.S. Postal database and eLOT database from the same month (i.e., September eLOT data must be processed with a September U.S. Postal database). If the U.S. Postal database and the eLOT database are not from the same month, there may be ZIP + 4® Codes for which eLOT numbers cannot be assigned. The ZIP Code™, ZIP + 4® Code, carrier route code, and the delivery point of an address must be provided to assign a eLOT code.