Mailbox access restricted to postage paid U.S. Mail

CLYDE, TX – The U.S. Postal Service would like to warn people that only authorized U.S. Postal Service delivery personnel are allowed to place items in a mailbox. By law, a mailbox is intended only for receipt of postage-paid U.S. Mail.

Recently, there have been reports of people placing non-mail items that did not bear U.S. postage in local mailboxes. The U.S. Postal Service recognizes customers may place non-mail items into mailboxes as a convenient way of “dropping something off,” but those items may cause a smaller mailbox to become full. When a mailbox is full, Postal Service regulations say the letter carrier cannot place mail in the box.

Additionally, the Postal Service has received complaints of flyers without paid postage being placed in mailboxes. Though many may be unaware, it is important to know that this type of activity is illegal by federal law. It may seem to be an easy way to advertise, but only U.S. Mail delivered by authorized personnel may be placed in mailboxes.

“We know many customers might not object to having a particular item placed in their mailbox from time to time, but the reasons for restricting use of mailboxes is really two-fold,” said Postmaster Keith Jackson. “First, if there is not enough room in a mailbox due to unauthorized items, the Postal Service can’t deliver the customer’s mail. Secondly, the Postal Service wants to ensure the integrity of our customer’s mailbox. That’s why only Postal Service personnel are authorized to place mail in or remove mail from mailboxes. In fact, U.S. Postal Inspectors advise customers to report people going mailbox to mailbox who are not postal employees. It could be someone completely unaware of the statute placing advertisements, but it could also be someone trying to steal mail.”

“We recognize that, from time to time, the statute and the Postal regulations may cause conflict with some customers,” the Postmaster continued. “When all factors are brought to their attention, however, we hope that the great majority of the public would agree that restricting mailboxes to U.S. Mail not only ensures customers receive their mail, but it also increases the security of the service.”

The Postmaster noted an exception to the general rule: newspapers can be placed in mailboxes only on Sunday; a non-delivery day for the Postal Service. He additionally noted that a newspaper receptacle can be mounted on rural or curbside mailbox post or support.

23 Responses to "Mailbox access restricted to postage paid U.S. Mail"

  1. Landlord putting non postmarked items in USPS locked mail box other than her own?
    She’s got a key to our box!
    The newsletter had no paid postage!
    And her name and signature were on the newsletters!
    Many residents know and do not like this practice!
    How do we know she just putting the newsletter in the locked post outside box and not shuffling through my mail?

  2. Let’s put it this way … if a mailbox is required by law then the city/county or whomever can pay to have them installed at each residence. If I choose NOT to have one, I shouldn’t be forced to. In fact, I want to take mine down because I’m sick and tired of having to sort through piles of junk mail! That’s about all I get! With technology today, a mailbox should be totally unneccessary unless it’s for delivering packages. If it’s not done electronically, then I’m not going to look at it, period! And if I do purchase one, or better yet, build my own, I’ll put anything I want in there … it’s MY property, bought with MY money, and I’m not going to be dictated to about what I can and cannot put in it. If a friend wants to leave something in there for me, that’s MY call to make because it’s MY property. If the government wants to call the shots on what can or can’t be done with MY box, then THEY can provide one for me using the tax money they overcharge us with in the first place. Otherwise, if they’ve got another way to keep that crap junk out of my box, I’ll be willing to listen. If not, then I can’t guarantee how much longer that box will remain.

  3. Thanks so much for responding quickly and offering your input. I read that article several times before stumbling upon this site and it appears it was aimed at non-stamped correspondence – flyers, invitations and such. I just couldn’t pin down a direct answer about stamped mail left in the box by individuals other than postal employees. I will probably call my postmaster and see what additional information they can provide. I know this isn’t the official site for the USPS. :o) Thanks again for your time!

  4. I am still confused as to whether or not someone can place a STAMPED piece of mail (rent check) in your mailbox. I keep reading that only the recipient and postal employee are authorized to place mail in a receptacle. Yet I also read information that indicates it’s okay for someone to put mail in your box as long as it’s stamped. So which is correct? I personally don’t want anyone other than a postal employee messing with the inside of my mailbox. No one needs to have their eyes or hands on the contents of my box. If it IS legal to place STAMPED mail by anyone in a mailbox, is there a known way to prevent it?

    Thanks for any input!

    Eva – the only CERTAIN way to prevent this is to rent a post office box and have no mail box at your home. It is correct that no person should be placing mail in your mail box…stamped or not stamped – but it has been done for years and years. Please read the following article by USPS:

    https://about.usps.com/news/state-releases/tx/2010/tx_2010_0909.htm

    Call your local postmaster and ask them what you should do.

    BTW – our site IS NOT the official USPS.

  5. I live in a condo with 185 units. Recently we had board elections. On 2 occasions, candidates had letters addressed to selective residents with stamps that had not been cancelled by the usps. Is it legal for the postman to accept the letters that never went through the usps and place them into resident mailslots?

  6. Can another resident collect the mail from the curb and distribute it into other residents mailboxes?

    Why would the neighbors allow this practice?

  7. My renter claims she left an envelope with my name on it, with cash rent payment in my mailbox. I did not receive it. does the mailman have the right to remove it from my mailbox? If so, what happened to it?

    JMV – Ask your letter carrier or contact the station from where your mail is delivered and make an inquiry – know the date that your renter says they placed the envelope in your mail box. Yes, mail placed in a mail box without postage can be removed by the carrier for non-payment of postage. The mail is usually returned to the sender postage due and sometimes may be sent to the dead letter office for investigation and possible return if there is no return address on the mail. Everyone should know that mail cannot be placed in a mail box without postage.

  8. My ex-wife and her husband drop off behavioral medication for my child to my office mailbox – usually before the mail arrives. The medication is considered a controlled substance. Our office mailbox is never full; however, I’d like to know if we are breaking any laws handling it this way?

    Trevor – We can’t actually advise you regarding this issue – there are too many variables…like; is your mail box an official USPS box? Is the box just an office in-house box? Etc. You would really need to ask the official USPS – 1-800-Ask-USPS.

  9. Can somebody legally write a note saying only so and so’s mail in this box

    Kandi – you would need to ask the official USPS at 1-800-Ask-USPS – but, I can tell you that the homeowner or person is renting the property can refuse to take any mail that has been delivered just by annotating the mail piece with “REFUSED” or “REFUSED – NOT AT THIS ADDRESS.”

  10. I would like to know who has enforcement responsibility for this law 39 CFR 310?

    Is there a USPS person who should be contacted for violations? If not, then who should be contacted to report infractions.

    Finally, what is the recent past record of say 10 years in regard to prosecution of this statue and what are the fines or imprisonment that have been enforced for violations?

    Alex – all of your questions should be directed at the official USPS…which we are not.

    Local violations are usually handled by the local postmaster in that area – that is who you should contact. PEN

  11. Who do i contact on a landlord going and leaving fake court paper’s

    An attorney would handle fake court papers.

  12. My name Shane …

    Shane – this site IS NOT the official United States Postal Service. You would need to contact them for the info you need. Try 1-800-Ask-USPS or usps.com.

    We removed your personal information from your post to protect your privacy.

  13. Is it also illegal to have items placed in a commercial mailbox? I assume it is, but I only see discussion regarding residential.

    Thanks

    If you’re speaking of a USPS approved mailbox where delivery is made by USPS carrier then yes, delivery is restricted to U.S. postage paid mail or items. You would really need to ask USPS that question…your local postmaster or post office would be the best place to start. PEN

  14. My employer sent me 2 certified mail slips which they left in my mail box,It was hand delivery even though it had a certified mail number on it.is this illegal and who do I report this to.Note it was not delivered my a U.S post worker,but by one of my employer employee

    Louis – give the slips to your regular USPS carrier and tell him/her that it was left in your mail box. If they won’t take it then give the mail to your local postmaster or USPS station manager where your letter carrier works. PEN

  15. Cannot seem to find a definitive answer to whether or not items can be ‘attached’ to the OUTSIDE of the mailbox. I frequently get flyers tucked in between the box and the red flag. Also, my local paper carrier has attached colored stickers to the outside of the mailboxes to help him know what days of the week to deliver newspapers – is this permissable?

    Becky – you need to address your question to the official USPS. Try 1-800-Ask-USPS

  16. I have an 80 year old lady friend who gets her paper delivered every day from a person who drives his car into her driveway.

    We have a storm coming and they would not be able to get into her driveway, so she told them to place the newspaper into her mailbox. I did read your web page and found out that Sunday would be the ownly day that this could be done. Is this still correct?

    Mr. Bosworth – you would need to direct your question to the official USPS. 1-800-Ask-USPS

    Leroy Bosworth

  17. I too have gotten letters and notices placed in my mail box we can assume from our landlord. No stamp on the rental receipts and letters addressed to the managers from family members that didn’t know our apartment number. Will pursue this with the links provided.

  18. My landlord keeps putting letters in my mailbox with no postage. Who would I report this to considering it’s illegal?

  19. I’m not happy with conflicting information or pseudo legal statements without given the law etc to verify those.
    To my knowledge Section 1725 of Title 18 of the U.S. Code prohibits placing mailable materials like circulars and sales bills with unpaid postage in mailboxes with intent to avoid payment of postage.

    So, if I put a stamp on a flyer and put that into someones mailbox,I obviously did NOT had the intend to avoid payment, so this is not unlawful any more.

    Even your headline correctly says so.
    Now, from what do you construe the statement:
    “that only authorized U.S. Postal Service delivery personnel are allowed to place items in a mailbox.” ?

    Your turn

    39 CFR 310 – ENFORCEMENT OF THE PRIVATE EXPRESS STATUTES
    § 310.2 Unlawful carriage of letters.
    (a) It is generally unlawful under the
    Private Express Statutes for any person
    other than the Postal Service in
    any manner to send or carry a letter on
    a post route or in any manner to cause
    or assist such activity. Violation may
    result in injunction, fine or imprisonment
    or both and payment of postage
    lost as a result of the illegal activity.

    Found Here: http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/CFR-2008-title39-vol1/pdf/CFR-2008-title39-vol1-sec310-2.pdf

    Also see:

    USPS DOMESTIC MAIL MANUAL
    5.0 Private Express Statutes
    5.1 Private Express Statutes
    5.1.1 Legal Foundation
    By the laws known as the Private Express Statutes, Congress has generally conferred on the USPS the exclusive right to carry letters for others over post routes. USPS regulations under the Private Express Statutes are in the Code of Federal Regulations, 39 CFR 310 and 320, as amended by final rules published in the Federal Register. These regulations take precedence over all prior rulings and USPS publications. Copies of the regulations are available from the manager, Product Classification, USPS Headquarters

    Found Here: http://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/608.htm#5_0