Receiving an undelivered mail notice can cause some apprehension. Knowing that the notification comes from the Bari CMP, one of Poste Italiane’s main Mail Mechanization Centers, is the first step in understanding the nature of the communication. These centers handle the automated sorting of huge volumes of mail, including registered mail and legal documents, for entire geographical areas. The notice left by the mail carrier is not just a piece of paper, but a key that, through specific numerical codes, allows you to decipher the type and possible origin of the letter in advance. Understanding these codes means turning a moment of anxiety into an informed action.
The Italian postal system, part of the broader European market, is a fundamental infrastructure that combines tradition and innovation. For centuries, it has ensured the connection between citizens, businesses, and institutions, constantly evolving. Digitalization has transformed many processes, but registered mail with legal value maintains a central role for official communications. The Bari CMP fits into this context as a crucial node in a network that, while rooted in the Mediterranean culture of exchange, looks to the future through technological efficiency.
The Strategic Role of the Bari CMP in the Postal System
The Mail Mechanization Center (CMP) of Bari, located at Viale De Blasio Francesco 1, is a key facility for Poste Italiane in Southern Italy. Its main function is to automate and speed up mail sorting, ensuring efficiency in handling letters and parcels. When you receive a notification with the words “CMP Bari,” it means the communication was processed and forwarded by this important logistics hub. Its operations cover very large volumes, including both standard mail and, most importantly, communications with legal value such as registered mail and legal documents.
The network of CMPs, strategically distributed throughout the country, is the engine of the Italian postal infrastructure. Centers like those in Bari, Bologna, or Milan are essential for connecting every corner of the country, reflecting a tradition of public service that has evolved into a modern integrated services company. This evolution is particularly evident in the management of raccomandate market, a specific service used by public bodies and companies for official communications that require certain proof of delivery. The Bari CMP is therefore a perfect example of how tradition and innovation coexist in the postal service.
Deciphering the Undelivered Mail Notice: Colors and Codes
When the mail carrier finds no one to deliver a registered letter to, they leave an “avviso di giacenza” (undelivered mail notice) in the mailbox. This document is the first and most important clue to understanding what awaits you at the post office. The first things to look at are the color of the notice and the numerical code printed on it. A white notice generally refers to standard registered mail, such as “market” registered mail, which must be collected within 30 days. Although it could be communications from individuals or companies, you cannot rule out a tax-related notification or a payment reminder.
A green notice, on the other hand, almost always signals the presence of a legal document or a fine for a traffic violation. In this case, the holding period at the post office extends to six months, but the notification is considered legally delivered to the sender after just 10 days. It is crucial to pay close attention to this type of notice, as ignoring it does not suspend the legal effects of the document. Regardless of the color, the real secret to anticipating the content lies in the first few digits of the barcode printed on the notice.
The Most Common Codes and Their Meanings
The codes on the undelivered mail notice are the key to a preliminary identification of the sender and the nature of the communication. The first two or three digits of the numerical code are the decisive ones. Here is a practical guide to interpreting the most frequent codes associated with shipments handled by the Bari CMP and other sorting centers.
Legal Documents and Fines
Codes starting with 78 (such as 786, 787, 788) are almost always associated with legal documents or fines. This could be a court order, a summons, an administrative penalty, or a traffic violation. Codes 75, 76, and 77 also often fall into this category. Receiving a notice with one of these codes requires special attention, as the content has legal significance. Although anxiety is a common reaction, it’s important to remember that collecting the communication is the first step to dealing with the situation consciously.
Communications from the Revenue Agency
When the code starts with 613, 615, or 648, it is very likely that the sender is the Agenzia delle Entrate (the Italian Revenue Agency). These communications may concern tax assessments, tax return audits, requests for documents, or potential refunds. The code 665 can also be related to tax communications or payment reminders. The code 689 is often used for sending tax bills from the Agenzia delle Entrate-Riscossione (formerly Equitalia) or for local taxes like IMU and TARI.
Letters from INPS, Banks, and Insurance Companies
Codes 612 and 614 are frequently used by banks, credit institutions, or Poste Italiane for communications related to checking accounts, cards, or other services. Code 649 can also indicate the sending of a new credit or debit card, but also payment reminders or communications from companies. Code 650, on the other hand, is often associated with communications from INPS (the Italian National Social Security Institute), regarding pensions or other benefits. Finally, code 688 can signal payment reminders for utilities, but also communications from insurance companies.
Standard Registered Mail and Other Communications
If you find a code on the undelivered mail notice starting with 12, 13, or 14, you can breathe a sigh of relief: it is almost certainly a standard registered letter. The sender is usually a private individual, a company, or a lawyer for communications that are not urgent or of a legal nature. This registered mail is held for 30 days. Another code to mention is 616, often linked to vehicle-related communications, such as unpaid car tax or recalls from the car manufacturer.
What to Do After Receiving an Undelivered Mail Notice
Once you have deciphered the code on the undelivered mail notice as much as possible, the next step is to collect the communication. The notice itself indicates the address of the post office where the registered letter is being held and the hours for pickup. It is essential to show up with a valid ID and the undelivered mail notice. If you cannot go in person, you can authorize another person by filling out the appropriate section on the back of the notice and attaching a copy of your ID. It is important to act promptly, respecting the holding periods to prevent the communication from being returned to the sender, while still producing its legal effects (the principle of compiuta giacenza or completed holding period).
In Brief (TL;DR)
This comprehensive guide helps you decipher the codes on undelivered mail notices handled by the Bari CMP, allowing you to recognize the sender and the nature of the registered letter before you even pick it up.
We will delve into the meaning of the most common registered mail codes to help you identify the content and sender of the shipment before you even go to the post office.
Discover the meaning of the most common codes to understand the nature of the communication in advance and decide whether to proceed with collection.
Conclusion

The undelivered mail notice from the Bari CMP should not be a cause for alarm, but an invitation to act with awareness. Understanding the role of these modern sorting centers and, above all, learning to interpret the numerical codes and colors of the notices, transforms uncertainty into control. Whether it’s a legal document, a tax communication, or a simple letter, knowing the possible nature of the shipment in advance allows you to handle the situation with greater peace of mind and preparation. In a world that balances the tradition of physical delivery with the innovation of automated logistics, being an informed recipient is the first, fundamental step to navigating daily bureaucracy with confidence. Always remember to verify the information and collect communications within the specified timeframes.
Frequently Asked Questions

What does the acronym CMP Bari on the undelivered mail notice mean?
CMP stands for Centro di Meccanizzazione Postale (Mail Mechanization Center). The words “CMP Bari” indicate that the registered letter or package being held was sorted by the Poste Italiane logistics center located in Bari. These centers handle large volumes of mail automatically, including important communications like registered mail, legal documents, and packages.
How can I figure out the sender of a registered letter from the Bari CMP?
You can get an idea of the sender by analyzing the first few digits of the barcode on the undelivered mail notice. For example, codes starting with 78 are often legal documents or fines, while codes like 613 or 615 usually indicate communications from the Agenzia delle Entrate (Revenue Agency). Codes like 12, 13, or 14 refer to standard registered mail from individuals or companies.
What happens if I don’t pick up a registered letter being held?
If a registered letter is not picked up within the holding period (usually 30 days for standard registered mail and 6 months for legal documents), it is returned to the sender. However, the notification is considered legally delivered according to the principle of “compiuta giacenza” (completed holding period). This means that, by law, the recipient is considered aware of the communication’s content, with all the legal consequences that entails.
What is the difference between a white and a green undelivered mail notice?
The color of the notice provides an important clue. A white notice (or white slip) generally indicates standard registered mail. A green notice, on the other hand, is almost always associated with the notification of a legal document, such as a fine, a court order, or another official legal communication that requires special attention.
Frequently Asked Questions
CMP stands for Centro di Meccanizzazione Postale (Mail Mechanization Center). When you read ‘CMP Bari’ on the notice, it means your registered letter was sorted and handled by the Bari postal center. It is a logistics hub for Poste Italiane that manages large volumes of mail for a wide geographical area.
You can get an idea of the contents by analyzing the 12-digit numerical code on the undelivered mail notice. The first 2 or 3 digits are crucial for identifying the type of communication. For example, codes starting with 75, 76, 77, 78, or 79 often indicate fines or legal documents, while codes like 612, 613, 614, or 615 are generally related to communications from banks or the Revenue Agency.
The codes that require the most attention are those starting with the digits 75, 76, 77, 78, and 79. These are often associated with legal documents, such as court summonses, or fines for traffic violations. Code 668 can also indicate administrative or judicial communications, such as preliminary investigation notices or subpoenas.
Code 618 is quite generic and is not typically associated with legal documents or tax bills. It often refers to communications from banks (like sending a new credit/debit card), insurance companies, utility payment reminders, or letters from lawyers. It could also be a recall notice from a car manufacturer.
If you don’t pick up the registered letter, it remains at the post office for 30 days (for standard registered mail) or up to 6 months (for legal documents). Even if it is not collected, the communication still has its legal effects. By law, the notification is considered completed after a certain period (compiuta giacenza), so ignoring the notice is never a good solution.




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