Title 39, Postal ServiceRelease 119-102
§603 Searches Authorized
Title 39 › PART I — GENERAL › CHAPTER 6 — PRIVATE CARRIAGE OF LETTERS › § 603
Summary
Postal Service officers or employees may search for mail that is being carried illegally. If they reasonably think such mail might be there, they may open and search a vehicle that left a place with a U.S. post office, items from that vehicle, or a carrier’s store or office (not a home).
Full Legal Text
Title 39, §603
Postal Service, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
The Postal Service may authorize any officer or employee of the Postal Service to make searches for mail matter transported in violation of law. When the authorized officer has reason to believe that mailable matter transported contrary to law may be found therein, he may open and search any—
(1)vehicle passing, or having lately passed, from a place at which there is a post office of the United States;
(2)article being, or having lately been, in the vehicle; or
(3)store or office, other than a dwelling house, used or occupied by a common carrier or transportation company, in which an article may be contained.
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. § 603
Title 39, Postal Service
Last Updated
Aug 21, 2026
Release point: 119-102