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Title 44 — Public Printing and DocumentsRelease 119-73not60

§1708 Prices for Sales Copies of Publications; Crediting of Receipts; Resale by Dealers; Sales Agents

Title 44 › Chapter 17— DISTRIBUTION AND SALE OF PUBLIC DOCUMENTS › § 1708

Last updated Apr 5, 2026|Official source

Summary

The Superintendent of Documents must set the price for extra copies of Government publications by taking the cost calculated by the Director of the Government Publishing Office and adding 50 percent. The Superintendent can allow discounts but must not let printing slow down work needed by the Government. The Superintendent can make rules for book dealers who resell these publications and can name any Government officer to act as an agent for sales, as long as those rules are agreed to by the head of the department or agency involved.

Full Legal Text

Title 44, §1708

Public Printing and Documents — Source: USLM XML via OLRC

The price at which additional copies of Government publications are offered for sale to the public by the Superintendent of Documents shall be based on the cost as determined by the Director of the Government Publishing Office plus 50 percent. A discount may be allowed as determined by the Superintendent of Documents, but the printing may not interfere with prompt execution of work for the Government. The Superintendent of Documents may prescribe terms and conditions under which he authorizes the resale of Government publications by book dealers, and he may designate any Government officer his agent for the sale of Government publications under regulations agreed upon by the Superintendent of Documents and the head of the respective department or establishment of the Government.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on 44 U.S. Code, 1964 ed., § 72a (June 30, 1932, ch. 314, § 307, 47 Stat. 409).

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2014—Pub. L. 113–235 substituted “Director of the Government Publishing Office” for “Public Printer” in first par. 2004—Pub. L. 108–447, in first par., substituted “may be allowed as determined by the Superintendent of Documents” for “of not to exceed 25 percent may be allowed to book dealers and quantity purchasers”. 1993—Pub. L. 103–69, in first par., struck out at end “Receipts from general sales of publications in excess of the total costs and expenses incurred in connection with the publication and sale thereof, as determined by the Public Printer, shall be deposited in the Treasury of the United States to the credit of miscellaneous receipts.” 1977—Pub. L. 95–94 substituted “Receipts from general sales of publications in excess of the total costs and expenses incurred in connection with the publication and sale thereof, as determined by the Public Printer,” for “Surplus receipts from sales”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

of 1993 AmendmentAmendment by Pub. L. 103–69 effective Oct. 1, 1993, see section 207(c) of Pub. L. 103–69, set out as a note under section 309 of this title.

Effective Date

of 1977 Amendment Pub. L. 95–94, title IV, § 409(b), Aug. 5, 1977, 91 Stat. 683, provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending this section] shall take effect on October 1, 1977.”

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

44 U.S.C. § 1708

Title 44 — Public Printing and Documents

Last Updated

Apr 5, 2026

Release point: 119-73not60