Title 18, Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-102
§1698 Prompt Delivery of Mail From Vessel
Title 18 › PART I — CRIMES › CHAPTER 83 — POSTAL SERVICE › § 1698
Summary
Someone in charge of a vessel moving between U.S. ports must give any letters or packages for that port, not part of the cargo, to the post office within three hours if arriving by day, or within two hours after the next sunrise if arrival was at night. Not doing so can lead to a fine.
Full Legal Text
Title 18, §1698
Crimes and Criminal Procedure, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Whoever, having charge or control of any vessel passing between ports or places in the United States, and arriving at any such port or place where there is a post office, fails to deliver to the postmaster or at the post office, within three hours after his arrival, if in the daytime, and if at night, within two hours after the next sunrise, all letters and packages brought by him or within his power or control and not relating to the cargo, addressed to or destined for such port or place, shall be fined under this title.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed. § 323 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, § 200, 35 Stat. 1126). Changes were made in phraseology.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1994—Pub. L. 103–322, § 330016(1)(C), substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $150”. Pub. L. 103–322, § 330004(10), struck out second par. which read as follows: “For each letter or package so delivered he shall receive two cents unless the same is carried under contract.”
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
18 U.S.C. § 1698
Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102