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Title 18, Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-110

§1696 Private Express for Letters and Packets

Title 18 › PART I — CRIMES › CHAPTER 83 — POSTAL SERVICE › § 1696

Last updated Sep 23, 2026|Official source

Summary

You must not run a private delivery service that carries letters or packets on regular trips along routes used by the mail or between places where mail is regularly sent. Breaking this can mean a fine up to $500, jail up to six months, or both. You may still drop properly stamped mail at the nearest post office or other authorized mail drop. Giving letters to a private carrier to be sent is also punishable. Unpaid hand delivery or a one‑time special messenger is allowed, but if that messenger carries more than 25 pieces the rules in section 601 of title 39 apply to each piece.

Full Legal Text

Title 18, §1696

Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(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, shall be observed as to each piece.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §§ 304, 306, 309 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, §§ 181, 183, 186, 35 Stat. 1123, 1124; June 22, 1934, ch. 716, 48 Stat. 1207). Section consolidates section 304, 306, and 309 of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed. Reference to persons causing, procuring, aiding or assisting was omitted as such persons are principals under section 2 of this title. Minor changes were made in phraseology.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1994—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $50”. 1970—Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 91–375 substituted “section 601 of title 39” for “section 500 of title 39”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 1970 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 91–375 effective within 1 year after Aug. 12, 1970, on date established therefor by Board of Governors of United States Postal Service and published by it in Federal Register, see section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as an

Effective Date

note preceding section 101 of Title 39, Postal Service. Study of Private Carriage of Mail; Reports to President and CongressCongressional findings of need for study and reevaluation of restrictions on private carriage of letters and packets contained in this section and submission by United States Postal Service of reports to President and Congress for modernization of law,

Regulations

, and administrative practices, see section 7 of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note under section 601 of Title 39, Postal Service.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

18 U.S.C. § 1696

Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure

Last Updated

Sep 23, 2026

Release point: 119-110