Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal ProcedureRelease 119-73not60
§1725 Postage Unpaid on Deposited Mail Matter
Title 18 › Part I— CRIMES › Chapter 83— POSTAL SERVICE › § 1725
Summary
Putting mail items (like account statements, flyers, or sale notices) into an official Postal Service mailbox without postage, when done on purpose to avoid paying, is illegal. Each time it happens you can be fined under federal law.
Full Legal Text
Title 18, §1725
Crimes and Criminal Procedure — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
Whoever knowingly and willfully deposits any mailable matter such as statements of accounts, circulars, sale bills, or other like matter, on which no postage has been paid, in any letter box established, approved, or accepted by the Postal Service for the receipt or delivery of mail matter on any mail route with intent to avoid payment of lawful postage thereon, shall for each such offense be fined under this title.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 321a (May 7, 1934, ch. 220, § 2, 48 Stat. 667). Reference to persons aiding or assisting was struck out as unnecessary since such persons are made principals by section 2 of this title. Minor verbal changes were made.
Editorial Notes
Amendments
1994—Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $300”. 1970—Pub. L. 91–375 substituted “Postal Service” for “Postmaster General”.
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.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
18 U.S.C. § 1725
Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Last Updated
Apr 5, 2026
Release point: 119-73not60