Title 39 — Postal ServiceRelease 119-73
§604 Seizing and detaining letters
Title 39 › Part PART I— - GENERAL › Chapter CHAPTER 6— - PRIVATE CARRIAGE OF LETTERS › § 604
Summary
Postal inspectors, customs officers, and U.S. marshals (or their deputies) may seize letters, mail bags, or parcels being carried illegally on any vessel or postal road. The seizing officer must take the items to the nearest post office, or—if the Postal Service or the Secretary of the Treasury orders it—hold them until 2 months after all lawsuits or proceedings that could be brought within 6 months of the seizure are finally decided.
Full Legal Text
Title 39, §604
Postal Service — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
An officer or employee of the Postal Service performing duties related to the inspection of postal matters, a customs officer, or United States marshal or his deputy, may seize at any time, letters and bags, packets, or parcels containing letters which are being carried contrary to law on board any vessel or on any post road. The officer or employee who makes the seizure shall convey the articles seized to the nearest post office, or, by direction of the Postal Service or the Secretary of the Treasury, he may detain them until 2 months after the final determination of all suits and proceedings which may be brought within 6 months after the seizure against any person for sending or carrying the letters.
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. § 604
Title 39 — Postal Service
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73