§ 1696. — Private express for letters and packets.
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 18USC1696]
TITLE 18--CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
PART I--CRIMES
CHAPTER 83--POSTAL SERVICE
Sec. 1696. Private express for letters and packets
(a) 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.
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.
(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) 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 section 601
of title 39, shall be observed as to each piece.
(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 777; Pub. L. 91-375, Sec. 6(j)(14),
Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 778; Pub. L. 103-322, title XXXIII,
Sec. 330016(1)(A), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2146.)
Historical and Revision Notes
Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Secs. 304, 306, 309 (Mar. 4,
1909, ch. 321, Secs. 181, 183, 186, 35 Stat. 1123, 1124; June 22, 1934,
ch. 716, 48 Stat. 1207).
Section 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 section 2 of this
title.
Minor changes were made in phraseology.
Amendments
1994--Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103-322 substituted ``fined under this
title'' for ``fined not more than $50''.
1970--Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 91-375 substituted ``section 601 of title
39'' for ``section 500 of title 39''.
Effective Date of 1970 Amendment
Amendment by Pub. L. 91-375 effective within 1 year after Aug. 12,
1970, on date established therefor by Board of Governors of United
States Postal Service and published by it in Federal Register, see
section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91-375, set out as an Effective Date note
preceding section 101 of Title 39, Postal Service.
Study of Private Carriage of Mail; Reports to President and Congress
Congressional 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 section 7 of Pub. L. 91-375, set out as a
note under section 601 of Title 39, Postal Service.
