Title 39, Postal ServiceRelease 119-102

§102 Definitions

Title 39 › PART I — GENERAL › CHAPTER 1 — POSTAL POLICY AND DEFINITIONS › § 102

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

Defines key words used in this title. "Postal Service" means the United States Postal Service created by section 201 of this title. "Board of Governors" or "Board" means the Board created under section 202. "Governors" are the nine members of that Board appointed by the President with Senate approval. "Inspector General" means the Inspector General appointed under section 202(e). "postal service" (lowercase) means delivering letters, printed matter, or packages and the related steps like accepting, collecting, sorting, and moving them. "Product" means a postal service that has its own cost or market traits and can have a rate. "Rates" include fees for postal services. "Market-dominant product" means products covered by subchapter I of chapter 36. "Competitive product" means products covered by subchapter II of chapter 36. "Year," when used in chapter 36 (except subchapters I and VI), means a fiscal year.

Full Legal Text

Title 39, §102

Postal Service, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

As used in this title—
(1)“Postal Service” means the United States Postal Service established by section 201 of this title;
(2)“Board of Governors”, and “Board”, unless the context otherwise requires, mean the Board of Governors established under section 202 of this title;
(3)“Governors” means the 9 members of the Board of Governors appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, under section 202(a) of this title;
(4)“Inspector General” means the Inspector General appointed under section 202(e) of this title;
(5)“postal service” refers to the delivery of letters, printed matter, or mailable packages, including acceptance, collection, sorting, transportation, or other functions ancillary thereto;
(6)“product” means a postal service with a distinct cost or market characteristic for which a rate or rates are, or may reasonably be, applied;
(7)“rates”, as used with respect to products, includes fees for postal services;
(8)“market-dominant product” or “product in the market-dominant category of mail” means a product subject to subchapter I of chapter 36;
(9)“competitive product” or “product in the competitive category of mail” means a product subject to subchapter II of chapter 36; and
(10)“year”, as used in chapter 36 (other than subchapters I and VI thereof), means a fiscal year.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2006—Pars. (5) to (10). Pub. L. 109–435 added pars. (5) to (10). 1996—Par. (4). Pub. L. 104–208 added par. (4).

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. § 102

Title 39, Postal Service

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102