Title 39, Postal ServiceRelease 119-110
§3207 Limit of Weight of Penalty Mail; Postage on Overweight Matter
Title 39 › PART IV — MAIL MATTER › CHAPTER 32 — PENALTY AND FRANKED MAIL › § 3207
Summary
Penalty mail must meet the size and weight limits of the highest-priority class, except for Postal Service stamped paper and supplies and for Congress-ordered books or documents mailed by the Superintendent of Documents. Penalty items over 4 pounds that are otherwise mailable are sent and charged as lowest-priority mail, even if sealed or contain writing.
Full Legal Text
Title 39, §3207
Postal Service, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Penalty mail is restricted to articles not in excess of the weight and size prescribed for that class of mail receiving high priority in handling and delivery, except—
(1)stamped paper and supplies sold or used by the Postal Service; and
(2)books and documents published or circulated by order of Congress when mailed by the Superintendent of Documents.
(b)A penalty mail article which is—
(1)over 4 pounds in weight;
(2)not in excess of the weight and size prescribed for mail matter; and
(3)otherwise mailable;
is mailable at rates for that class of mail entitled to the lowest priority in handling and delivery, even though it may include written matter and may be sealed.
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. § 3207
Title 39, Postal Service
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110