Title 39 — Postal ServiceRelease 119-73
§3208 Shipment by most economical means
Title 39 › Part PART IV— - MAIL MATTER › Chapter CHAPTER 32— - PENALTY AND FRANKED MAIL › § 3208
Summary
Official government items that are not franked mail must be sent by the cheapest practical way. The Postal Service can refuse to mail an item if it thinks a cheaper method exists. It can also ship items by freight or express when doing so saves the United States money and does not harm the public service.
Full Legal Text
Title 39, §3208
Postal Service — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Shipments of official matter other than franked mail shall be sent by the most economical means of transportation practicable. The Postal Service may refuse to accept official matter for shipment by mail when in its judgment it may be shipped by other means at less expense, or it may provide for its transportation by freight or express whenever a saving to the Government of the United States will result therefrom without detriment to the public service.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
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. § 3208
Title 39 — Postal Service
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73