Title 39Postal ServiceRelease 119-73

§102 Definitions

Title 39 › Part PART I— - GENERAL › Chapter CHAPTER 1— - POSTAL POLICY AND DEFINITIONS › § 102

Last updated Apr 6, 2026|Official source

Summary

Names common terms used in the postal laws and says what each one stands for. Postal Service is the United States Postal Service created under section 201. Board of Governors, or Board, is the body set up under section 202. Governors are the nine members the President appoints with Senate approval under section 202(a). Inspector General is the official appointed under section 202(e). postal service (lowercase) means delivery of letters, printed matter, or mailable packages and tasks like accepting, collecting, sorting, and transporting. Product is a postal service with its own cost or market traits for which a rate can be set. Rates are the fees for postal services. Market-dominant product is one covered by subchapter I of chapter 36. Competitive product is one covered by subchapter II of chapter 36. Year, when used in chapter 36 except in subchapters I and VI, means a fiscal year.

Full Legal Text

Title 39, §102

Postal Service — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

As used in this title—
(1)“Postal Service” means the United States Postal Service established by section 201 of this title;
(2)“Board of Governors”, and “Board”, unless the context otherwise requires, mean the Board of Governors established under section 202 of this title;
(3)“Governors” means the 9 members of the Board of Governors appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, under section 202(a) of this title;
(4)“Inspector General” means the Inspector General appointed under section 202(e) of this title;
(5)“postal service” refers to the delivery of letters, printed matter, or mailable packages, including acceptance, collection, sorting, transportation, or other functions ancillary thereto;
(6)“product” means a postal service with a distinct cost or market characteristic for which a rate or rates are, or may reasonably be, applied;
(7)“rates”, as used with respect to products, includes fees for postal services;
(8)“market-dominant product” or “product in the market-dominant category of mail” means a product subject to subchapter I of chapter 36;
(9)“competitive product” or “product in the competitive category of mail” means a product subject to subchapter II of chapter 36; and
(10)“year”, as used in chapter 36 (other than subchapters I and VI thereof), means a fiscal year.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2006—Pars. (5) to (10). Pub. L. 109–435 added pars. (5) to (10). 1996—Par. (4). Pub. L. 104–208 added par. (4).

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective July 1, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–9 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

39 U.S.C. § 102

Title 39Postal Service

Last Updated

Apr 6, 2026

Release point: 119-73