18 U.S.C. § 1696 | Private express for letters and packets

(a)

This section shall not prohibit any person from receiving and delivering to the nearest post office, postal car, or other authorized depository for mail matter any mail matter properly stamped.

Whoever establishes any private express for the conveyance of letters or packets, or in any manner causes or provides for the conveyance of the same by regular trips or at stated periods over any post route which is or may be established by law, or from any city, town, or place to any other city, town, or place, between which the mail is regularly carried, shall be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned not more than six months, or both.

(b)

Whoever transmits by private express or other unlawful means, or delivers to any agent thereof, or deposits at any appointed place, for the purpose of being so transmitted any letter or packet, shall be fined under this title.

(c)

section 601 of title 39 This chapter shall not prohibit the conveyance or transmission of letters or packets by private hands without compensation, or by special messenger employed for the particular occasion only. Whenever more than twenty-five such letters or packets are conveyed or transmitted by such special messenger, the requirements of , shall be observed as to each piece.

June 25, 1948, ch. 645 62 Stat. 777 Pub. L. 91–375, § 6(j)(14)Aug. 12, 197084 Stat. 778 Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(A)Sept. 13, 1994108 Stat. 2146 (, ; , , ; , , .)

Historical and Revision Notes

Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321 35 Stat. 1123 June 22, 1934, ch. 716 48 Stat. 1207 Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §§ 304, 306, 309 (, §§ 181, 183, 186, , 1124; , ).

section 2 of this titleSection consolidates sections 304, 306, and 309 of title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed. Reference to persons causing, procuring, aiding or assisting was omitted as such persons are principals under .

Minor changes were made in phraseology.

Editorial Notes

Amendments

Pub. L. 103–3221994—Subsec. (b). substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $50”.

Pub. L. 91–375 section 601 of title 39 section 500 of title 391970—Subsec. (c). substituted “” for “”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date of 1970 Amendment

Pub. L. 91–375Aug. 12, 1970section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375 section 101 of Title 39Amendment by effective within 1 year after , on date established therefor by Board of Governors of United States Postal Service and published by it in Federal Register, see , set out as an Effective Date note preceding , Postal Service.

Study of Private Carriage of Mail; Reports to President and Congress

section 7 of Pub. L. 91–375 section 601 of Title 39Congressional findings of need for study and reevaluation of restrictions on private carriage of letters and packets contained in this section and submission by United States Postal Service of reports to President and Congress for modernization of law, regulations, and administrative practices, see , set out as a note under , Postal Service.