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18 U.S.C. § 1696 — Private express for letters and packets

Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

18 U.S.C. § 1696 — Private express for letters and packets

**(a)** Whoever establishes any private express for the conveyance of letters or packets, or in any manner causes or provides for the conveyance of the same by regular trips or at stated periods over any post route which is or may be established by law, or from any city, town, or place to any other city, town, or place, between which the mail is regularly carried, shall be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.This section shall not prohibit any person from receiving and delivering to the nearest post office, postal car, or other authorized depository for mail matter any mail matter properly stamped. **(b)** Whoever transmits by private express or other unlawful means, or delivers to any agent thereof, or deposits at any appointed place, for the purpose of being so transmitted any letter or packet, shall be fined under this title. **(c)** This chapter shall not prohibit the conveyance or transmission of letters or packets by private hands without compensation, or by special messenger employed for the particular occasion only. Whenever more than twenty-five such letters or packets are conveyed or transmitted by such special messenger, the requirements of [section 601 of title 39](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title39-section601&num=0&edition=prelim), shall be observed as to each piece.

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Stable record: federal_law:legal_authorities:record_usc_1e79a7876245027f0ea2d168
Source file: Laws/federal/codes/united-states-code/title-18/section-1696-private-express-for-letters-and-packets--e386ae9142.md
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Source location: Title 18, Chapter 83, § 1696; chapter-083-postal-service.md

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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

39 U.S.C. § 601 — Letters carried out of the mail

**(a)** A letter may be carried out of the mails when— (1) it is enclosed in an envelope; (2) the amount of postage which would have been charged on the letter if it had been sent by mail is paid by stamps, or postage meter stamps, on the envelope; (3) the envelope is properly addressed; (4) the envelope is so sealed that the letter cannot be taken from it without defacing the envelope; (5) any stamps on the envelope are canceled in ink by the sender; and (6) the date of the letter, of its transmission or receipt by the carrier is endorsed on the envelope in ink. **(b)** A letter may also be carried out of the mails when— (1) the amount paid for the private carriage of the letter is at least the amount equal to 6 times the rate then currently charged for the 1st ounce of a single-piece first class letter; (2) the letter weighs at least 12½ ounces; or (3) such carriage is within the scope of services described by regulations of the United States Postal Service (including, in particular, sections 310.1 and 320.2–320.8 of title 39 of the Code of Federal Regulations, as in effect on July 1, 2005) that purport to permit private carriage by suspension of the operation of this section (as then in effect). **(c)** Any regulations necessary to carry out this section shall be promulgated by the Postal Regulatory Commission.

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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

18 U.S.C. § 2 — Principals

**(a)** Whoever commits an offense against the United States or aids, abets, counsels, commands, induces or procures its commission, is punishable as a principal. **(b)** Whoever willfully causes an act to be done which if directly performed by him or another would be an offense against the United States, is punishable as a principal.

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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

39 U.S.C. § 101 — Postal policy

**(a)** The United States Postal Service shall be operated as a basic and fundamental service provided to the people by the Government of the United States, authorized by the Constitution, created by Act of Congress, and supported by the people. The Postal Service shall have as its basic function the obligation to provide postal services to bind the Nation together through the personal, educational, literary, and business correspondence of the people. It shall provide prompt, reliable, and efficient services to patrons in all areas and shall render postal services to all communities. The costs of establishing and maintaining the Postal Service shall not be apportioned to impair the overall value of such service to the people. **(b)** The Postal Service shall maintain an integrated network for the delivery of market-dominant and competitive products (as defined in chapter 36 of this title). Delivery shall occur at least six days a week, except during weeks that include a Federal holiday, in emergency situations, such as natural disasters, or in geographic areas where the Postal Service has established a policy of delivering mail fewer than six days a week as of the date of enactment of the Postal Service Reform Act of 2022. The Postal Service shall provide a maximum degree of effective and regular postal services to rural areas, communities, and small towns where post offices are not self-sustaining. No small post office shall be closed solely for operating at a deficit, it being the specific intent of the Congress that effective postal services be insured to residents of both urban and rural communities. **(c)** As an employer, the Postal Service shall achieve and maintain compensation for its officers and employees comparable to the rates and types of compensation pa

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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

39 U.S.C. § 3642 — New products and transfers of products between the market-dominant and competitive categories of mail

**(a) In General.—** Upon request of the Postal Service or users of the mails, or upon its own initiative, the Postal Regulatory Commission may change the list of market-dominant products under section 3621 and the list of competitive products under section 3631 by adding new products to the lists, removing products from the lists, or transferring products between the lists. **(b) Criteria.—** All determinations by the Postal Regulatory Commission under subsection (a) shall be made in accordance with the following criteria: (1) The market-dominant category of products shall consist of each product in the sale of which the Postal Service exercises sufficient market power that it can effectively set the price of such product substantially above costs, raise prices significantly, decrease quality, or decrease output, without risk of losing a significant level of business to other firms offering similar products. The competitive category of products shall consist of all other products. (2) **Exclusion of products covered by postal monopoly.—** — A product covered by the postal monopoly shall not be subject to transfer under this section from the market-dominant category of mail. For purposes of the preceding sentence, the term “product covered by the postal monopoly” means any product the conveyance or transmission of which is reserved to the United States under [section 1696 of title 18](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title18-section1696&num=0&edition=prelim), subject to the same exception as set forth in the last sentence of section 409(e)(1). (3) **Additional considerations.—** — In making any decision under this section, due regard shall be given to— (A) the availability and nature of enterprises in the private sector engaged in the

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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

39 U.S.C. § 409 — Suits by and against the Postal Service

**(a)** Except as otherwise provided in this title, the United States district courts shall have original but not exclusive jurisdiction over all actions brought by or against the Postal Service. Any action brought in a State court to which the Postal Service is a party may be removed to the appropriate United States district court under the provisions of chapter 89 of title 28. **(b)** Unless otherwise provided in this title, the provisions of title 28 relating to service of process, venue, and limitations of time for bringing action in suits in which the United States, its officers, or employees are parties, and the rules of procedure adopted under title 28 for suits in which the United States, its officers, or employees are parties, shall apply in like manner to suits in which the Postal Service, its officers, or employees are parties. **(c)** The provisions of chapter 171 and all other provisions of title 28 relating to tort claims shall apply to tort claims arising out of activities of the Postal Service. **(d)** (1) For purposes of the provisions of law cited in paragraphs (2)(A) and (2)(B), respectively, the Postal Service— (A) shall be considered to be a “person”, as used in the provisions of law involved; and (B) shall not be immune under any other doctrine of sovereign immunity from suit in Federal court by any person for any violation of any of those provisions of law by any officer or employee of the Postal Service. (2) This subsection applies with respect to— (A) the Act of July 5, 1946 (commonly referred to as the “Trademark Act of 1946” ([15 U.S.C. 1051](https://uscode.house.gov/view.xhtml?req=granuleid:USC-prelim-title15-section1051&num=0&edition=prelim) and following)); and (B) the provisions of section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission

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Federal law — U.S. Code and appendices · legal_authorities

18 U.S.C. § 1696 — Private express for letters and packets

Page 421 TITLE 18—CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE § 1696 applicable to postal savings depository business and funds and related matters. (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 776.) HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES Based on section 765 of title 39, U.S.C., 1940 ed., The Postal Service (June 25, 1910, ch. 386, § 15, 36 Stat. 818). Changes of phraseology were made without change of substance. § 1692. Foreign mail as United States mail Every foreign mail, while being transported across the territory of the United States under authority of law, is mail of the United States, and any depredation thereon, or offense in re- spect thereto, shall be punishable as though it were United States mail. (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 776.) HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 359 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 229, 35 Stat. 1134). Minor changes were made in phraseology and obvious surplusage omitted. § 1693. Carriage of mail generally Whoever, being concerned in carrying the mail, collects, receives, or carries any letter or packet, contrary to law, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than thirty days, or both. (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 776; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(A), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2146.) HISTORICAL AND REVISION NOTES Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 303 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 180, 35 Stat. 1123). Reference to persons causing or procuring was omit- ted as unnecessary in view of definition of ‘‘principal’’ in section 2 of this title. Minor verbal changes were made. Editorial Notes AMENDMENTS 1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted ‘‘fined under this title’’ for ‘‘fined not more than $50’’. § 1694. Carriage of matter out of mail over post routes Whoever, having charge

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