KIX-code

Introduction

On January 1 1999 a new code was introduced in The Netherlands for sorting letters. Periodicals are printed with an indication on the front side the so called KIX-code. KIX is an abbreviation for Klant IndeX (Client Index). The implementation of the KIX-code is part of the Briefpost 2000 (Postal letters 2000) project.
The purpose of this new code is to sort automatically all delivered periodicals per item.
Formerly these postal matters had to be presented in bundles of 100, sorted by postal code, at the post office in order to obtain a discount.

The KIX

The KIX is a simple bar code. This bar code is an addition to the delivery address.
PTT Post uses the bar code developed in Great Britain ("Royal Mail State Code").
The KIX is a so called letter type (font), in which each letter or figure is expressed by four bars. In this code there is no distinction between upper case and lower case: They carry the same KIX-symbol.

The KIX-bars are a compound of three parts (as can be seen on the figure): The synchronisation bar (synchronisatie streep), the up-bar (streep omhoog) and the down-bar (streep omlaag). Each character contains two up-bars and down-bars. Each character has a synchronisation bar (the short one) in the middle.

More information

Stamps of The Netherlands
Postage Stamps 1999