Title 39 — Postal ServiceRelease 119-73
§606 Disposition of seized mail
Title 39 › Part PART I— - GENERAL › Chapter CHAPTER 6— - PRIVATE CARRIAGE OF LETTERS › § 606
Summary
Packages where postal inspectors, customs officers, or U.S. marshals find a secretly hidden letter become the property of the United States. The government uses the same seizure rules and protections it uses for customs cases.
Full Legal Text
Title 39, §606
Postal Service — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Every package or parcel seized by 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 deputies, in which a letter is unlawfully concealed, shall be forfeited to the United States. The same proceedings may be used to enforce forfeitures as are authorized in respect of goods, wares, and merchandise forfeited for violation of the revenue laws. Laws for the benefit and protection of customs officers making seizures for violating revenue laws apply to officers and employees making seizures for violating the postal laws.
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. § 606
Title 39 — Postal Service
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73