Title 39 — Postal Service

This Title establishes the Union of Columbia Postal Service (UCPS) as the national carrier of mail within the limited federal sphere, and establishes the Union of Columbia Postal Inspection Service (UCPIS) as the federal inspection and mail-security authority responsible for protecting the mails, postal employees, postal property, and the integrity of postal operations.

Scope. This Title governs only federal postal functions. States may operate local courier or intrastate services not represented as UCPS and not interfering with the mails. Federal rules herein apply to UCPS operations, federal postal property, interstate or international mail carriage, and offenses against the mails.

Chapters in this Title

Chapter 1 — General Provisions
Chapter 2 — Organization of the UCPS
Chapter 3 — Postal Rates, Classes, and Services
Chapter 4 — Acceptance, Handling, and Delivery of Mail
Chapter 5 — Postal Security and Inspection
Chapter 6 — Postal Property, Contracts, and Finance
Chapter 7 — International Mail and Customs Interface
Chapter 8 — Administrative Process and Remedies
Cross-References

Chapter 1 — General Provisions

§ 101. Definitions

(a) “UCPS” means the Union of Columbia Postal Service, the executive postal carrier of the Union of Columbia.

(b) “UCPIS” means the Union of Columbia Postal Inspection Service, the inspection and enforcement component charged with protecting the mails and postal operations.

(c) “Mail” means any letter, parcel, packet, periodical, printed matter, or other item accepted into the postal stream by UCPS, including registered, certified, insured, and tracked items.

(d) “Postal stream” means the chain of custody from acceptance through processing, transit, delivery, return, or lawful disposition.

(e) “Postal property” means any building, vehicle, receptacle, equipment, stamp, label, record, funds, or other asset owned, leased, or operated by UCPS or under its custody.

(f) “Authorized mailer” means the person who presents an item for mailing and whose name or account is associated with the transaction.

(g) “Postal customer” includes a sender, addressee, holder of a postal box, or any person receiving or seeking postal services.

§ 102. Federal postal power and state sovereignty

(a) Limited federal sphere. The UCPS may provide postal carriage for interstate and international correspondence and such intrastate carriage as is necessary to complete interstate routes, deliver federal mail, or maintain uniform service standards.

(b) No general police power. Nothing in this Title is construed to grant the federal government a general police power over ordinary intrastate communications or commerce, except as incident to protecting the mails, federal postal property, and the integrity of UCPS services.

(c) State services preserved. A State may operate or authorize local courier services or intrastate delivery programs, provided such services:

(1) do not represent themselves as UCPS or as a federal postal service;

(2) do not obstruct or delay UCPS operations;

(3) do not unlawfully access, open, divert, or interfere with items in the postal stream.

(d) Cooperative agreements. UCPS may enter written cooperative agreements with States for facilities sharing, route coordination, emergency mail carriage, or mutual assistance during disruptions, subject to Chapter 6.

§ 103. Uniform service principles

(a) General duty. UCPS shall provide reliable, secure, and impartial mail service, without unreasonable discrimination among persons or States.

(b) Reasonable limitations. Service may be limited by published classes, rates, size and weight limits, security restrictions, or availability of safe routes, provided such limitations are applied fairly and are related to operational necessity.

(c) Priority of official mail. UCPS may designate official federal correspondence as priority within the postal stream during emergencies, provided that routine private mail is not suspended except as necessary for safety or continuity of government functions.

(d) Publication of standards. UCPS shall publish a basic domestic mail manual describing classes, rates, prohibited items, and complaint procedures. Publication may be by posting at postal facilities and by official circular.

Chapter 2 — Organization of the UCPS

§ 201. Establishment; head of service

(a) Establishment. There is established within the executive administration the Union of Columbia Postal Service.

(b) Postmaster General. UCPS is headed by a Postmaster General appointed by the President and removable at will. The Postmaster General is responsible for nationwide postal operations and policy within the limits of this Title.

(c) Delegation. The Postmaster General may delegate functions to officers and employees by written order, including to regional postmasters, facility managers, and transportation supervisors.

(d) Acting authority. The Postmaster General shall designate an order of succession to ensure continuity during vacancy or incapacity.

§ 202. UCPIS; establishment and mission

(a) Establishment. There is established within UCPS the Union of Columbia Postal Inspection Service.

(b) Mission. UCPIS shall protect the postal stream, postal employees, postal customers, and postal property; investigate postal-related offenses; and support the security of mail transport.

(c) Chief Postal Inspector. UCPIS is headed by a Chief Postal Inspector appointed by the Postmaster General with the concurrence of the President, and removable by the Postmaster General.

(d) Independence in investigations. Subject to lawful direction, UCPIS shall maintain operational independence in investigations and evidence handling. UCPS operational leadership shall not interfere with an active inspection matter except to address immediate safety risks.

§ 203. Postal employees; basic standards and restrictions

(a) Appointment and fitness. UCPS may employ such persons as necessary for operations, subject to basic fitness standards, reliability screening for sensitive positions, and the merit principles established in Title 5.

(b) Oath and duties. Employees in positions of trust (including carriers, clerks handling registered items, and inspection personnel) shall swear an oath to protect the mails and comply with lawful instructions.

(c) Conflicts of interest. An employee may not use postal access to obtain private gain, to harm a competitor, or to provide confidential postal information to unauthorized persons.

(d) Weapons. Postal employees other than UCPIS personnel may not carry firearms while on duty unless specifically authorized by UCPS regulation for a defined role (e.g., high-value transport), and only after training and qualification.

(e) Suspension in emergencies. UCPS may temporarily remove an employee from mail-handling duties upon credible evidence of theft, diversion, tampering, or serious misconduct, pending the administrative process in Chapter 8 and Title 5 adverse actions.

Chapter 3 — Postal Rates, Classes, and Services

§ 301. Classes of domestic mail

(a) Establishment of classes. UCPS shall maintain distinct classes of mail, which may include:

(1) Letter Mail (sealed correspondence and small flats);

(2) Printed Matter (books, catalogs, and other media eligible by rule);

(3) Periodicals (newspapers and magazines meeting published standards);

(4) Parcel Post (packages and merchandise);

(5) Priority Dispatch (expedited transport, subject to capacity);

(6) Registered, Certified, or Insured services as additional handling options.

(b) Eligibility rules. UCPS shall publish eligibility criteria for each class, including size, weight, packaging, and content restrictions, and may deny class-specific privileges for abuse or fraud.

(c) Non-discrimination. UCPS shall apply class rules uniformly across States and customers, except where safety or route conditions require temporary limitations.

§ 302. Rates; publication; adjustments

(a) Published rates. UCPS shall publish rates by class and may set zone-based parcel rates reflecting distance and transport cost.

(b) Adjustment standard. Rate adjustments shall be based on operational cost, security requirements, transportation contracts, and service demand, and shall not be used as a disguised tax or general revenue measure.

(c) Notice. UCPS shall provide reasonable public notice of rate changes by posting in postal facilities and issuing an official circular. Emergency adjustments may be made for short periods where transport conditions materially change.

(d) Refunds. UCPS may provide refunds for qualifying service failures in expedited classes, subject to published limitations and claim procedures under Chapter 8.

§ 303. Special services: tracking, registration, certification, and insurance

(a) Tracking. UCPS may offer tracking identifiers for certain classes. Tracking is evidence of processing events but is not a guarantee of delivery time unless expressly sold as such.

(b) Certified service. Certified service provides proof of mailing and delivery attempt or delivery event as defined by rule. Certified service may require recipient signature for selected items.

(c) Registered service. Registered service provides enhanced chain-of-custody controls for high-value or sensitive items, including locked storage and documented transfers.

(d) Insurance. Insurance may be offered up to a published limit and may exclude certain items or losses (including inadequate packaging or prohibited contents).

(e) Fraud prevention. UCPS may require identity verification or account history for high-value mailings, and may deny special services where a customer is reasonably suspected of repeated fraud.

Chapter 4 — Acceptance, Handling, and Delivery of Mail

§ 401. Acceptance of mail; deposit and presentation

(a) Acceptance points. UCPS may accept mail through postal facilities, authorized collection boxes, authorized carriers, or approved contract locations.

(b) Postage evidence. Mail must bear valid postage or an authorized payment mark. Counterfeit, reused, or altered postage is not valid and may be seized as evidence.

(c) Refusal of acceptance. UCPS may refuse acceptance where an item appears to contain prohibited matter, is inadequately packaged, presents a safety risk, or lacks required declarations.

(d) Verification and questioning. A postal clerk may ask reasonable questions necessary to determine class, rate, insurance value, hazardous content, or eligibility. Refusal to provide necessary information may be grounds for refusal of acceptance.

(e) Receipt. UCPS shall provide a receipt for services requiring proof of mailing or payment, including registered and insured items, and may provide optional receipts for other transactions.

§ 402. Handling; chain of custody; privacy of correspondence

(a) Custody. Items in the postal stream remain in UCPS custody until delivered, returned, or disposed of under lawful procedure. Employees shall protect items from theft, loss, and damage.

(b) Privacy rule. Sealed letter mail shall not be opened, read, or searched by any postal employee except as authorized by § 505, § 506, or Title 18 procedures for mail-related investigations.

(c) Non-letter matter. Parcels and unsealed matter may be visually inspected for routing and safety; opening of sealed inner containers remains subject to § 505.

(d) Recordkeeping. UCPS may maintain operational records necessary for routing, delivery confirmation, and loss prevention. Confidential customer information may be disclosed only under Chapter 5 and Title 18.

§ 403. Delivery; delivery points; forwarding and return

(a) Delivery points. UCPS may deliver to residential boxes, cluster boxes, post office boxes, business mail rooms, or other approved receptacles. Delivery may be suspended where a location is unsafe.

(b) Proof of delivery. Signature or delivery confirmation may be required for certain services. A refusal to sign may be treated as a delivery refusal under published rules.

(c) Forwarding. UCPS may forward mail on request for a limited period under published rules. Forwarding may be denied where identity cannot be reasonably verified or where fraud is suspected.

(d) Return to sender. Items undeliverable as addressed may be returned, redirected, or placed into dead-letter processing under § 404.

(e) Customer responsibilities. A customer shall maintain a secure receptacle and shall not obstruct or tamper with postal boxes, locks, or delivery equipment.

§ 404. Undeliverable mail; dead-letter processing; lawful disposition

(a) Dead-letter function. UCPS shall maintain a dead-letter function to determine ownership of undeliverable items and to return them when practicable.

(b) Opening for identification. An item that is undeliverable and lacking adequate sender information may be opened solely to identify a return address, under controlled procedures and witnessed handling.

(c) Sensitive items. Money, negotiable instruments, and high-value property shall be documented, secured, and returned where possible. If return is not possible, UCPS shall hold such items for a published retention period.

(d) Disposal. After retention, items may be destroyed, sold, or otherwise disposed of under Chapter 6 financial rules, provided personal correspondence is destroyed rather than sold.

(e) Evidence preservation. Where an item indicates a crime (e.g., theft, fraud, contraband), UCPS shall preserve the item and refer the matter to UCPIS under § 504.

Chapter 5 — Postal Security and Inspection

§ 501. Authority of Postal Inspectors

(a) General authority. Postal Inspectors are federal officers for the limited purpose of enforcing laws protecting the mails and postal operations, including the offenses referenced in Title 18 and this Title.

(b) Carrying of firearms. Inspectors may carry firearms while on duty or in an authorized protective capacity, subject to training, qualification, and written policy of the Chief Postal Inspector.

(c) Arrest authority. Inspectors may arrest without a warrant for an offense against the mails committed in their presence, or where probable cause exists that a person has committed a federal postal offense and immediate arrest is necessary to prevent flight, destruction of evidence, or harm to persons.

(d) Search authority and limits. Inspectors may conduct searches and seizures only as provided in § 505, § 506, and Title 18 procedures. In the absence of a general federal judiciary, administrative process shall be used as set forth in § 505 and Chapter 8, with strict documentation and supervisory review.

(e) Coordination. Inspectors may request assistance from other federal officers (including UCICS, UCSS, customs officers) and from State authorities, provided the matter remains within the federal postal sphere.

§ 502. Protection of postal employees and facilities

(a) Protective operations. UCPIS may conduct facility security assessments, escort high-value transport, and provide protective presence during credible threats to postal sites or employees.

(b) Access control. UCPS may restrict access to sorting areas, vaults, registered mail cages, and inspection offices to authorized personnel only, and may require identification badges and sign-in logs.

(c) Threat response. When a credible threat exists (including robbery attempts or threats of explosive devices), the senior inspector or facility manager may temporarily suspend operations and establish a controlled perimeter, coordinating with local responders as needed.

(d) Interference prohibited. Any person who knowingly interferes with a lawful protective or inspection operation may be subject to removal from the premises and referral for prosecution under Title 18.

§ 503. Mail theft and diversion prevention program

(a) Controls. UCPS shall maintain controls against theft and diversion, including chain-of-custody logs for registered items, access audits, and periodic integrity testing.

(b) Integrity testing. UCPIS may conduct controlled test mailings to detect theft or tampering, provided such tests are documented and approved by a supervisor.

(c) Employee interviews. UCPIS may interview postal employees regarding suspected offenses. Employees shall be advised of administrative consequences for dishonesty and, where criminal exposure exists, of their right to decline voluntary statements.

(d) Evidence handling. UCPIS shall maintain evidence logs and secure storage for seized mail and related items, and shall preserve chain-of-custody for prosecution or administrative action.

§ 504. Mandatory referral of suspected postal offenses

(a) Duty to refer. A UCPS employee who has reasonable grounds to believe that mail theft, mail tampering, postal fraud, or other federal postal offense has occurred shall promptly refer the matter to UCPIS.

(b) Preservation. Employees shall preserve relevant items, surveillance, logs, and receipts and shall not conduct informal “private investigations” beyond immediate safety measures.

(c) Customer complaints. UCPS shall provide a process for customer complaints regarding loss, theft, fraud, or employee misconduct, and shall transmit qualifying complaints to UCPIS for review.

§ 505. Administrative mail cover, detention, and inspection procedures

(a) Mail cover (external information). UCPIS may obtain and record information appearing on the outside of mail (including name, address, postmark, and visible tracking labels) for a defined investigative purpose related to federal offenses within UCPIS jurisdiction.

(1) A mail cover requires a written request stating the offense under investigation, the duration (not to exceed 30 days per authorization), and the specific identifiers to be collected.

(2) Mail cover approvals shall be granted only by a supervisor designated by the Chief Postal Inspector and shall be logged for audit.

(3) A mail cover does not authorize opening mail or delaying delivery beyond operational necessity.

(b) Detention of suspicious mail. UCPIS may temporarily detain an item where articulable facts indicate it contains contraband, evidence of a federal offense, or presents an immediate danger (including suspected explosive or hazardous content).

(1) Detention shall be for the shortest reasonable period necessary to conduct safety screening, contact relevant authorities, or seek authorization under subsection (c).

(2) The detaining inspector shall document the time, reason, item identifiers, and actions taken.

(c) Opening of sealed mail in the absence of a general federal judiciary. Sealed letter mail may be opened only under one of the following:

(1) Consent of the sender or addressee, documented in writing;

(2) Emergency safety exception where immediate opening is necessary to neutralize a credible threat to life or severe injury, documented and reported within 24 hours to the Chief Postal Inspector;

(3) Executive inspection order issued by the Postmaster General upon a written probable-cause showing by UCPIS that the item contains evidence of a federal postal offense or contraband.

(A) An executive inspection order shall state the particular item(s), the offense(s) under investigation, and the scope of authorized opening.

(B) The opening shall be conducted in the presence of two inspectors (or one inspector and one designated witness), and a contemporaneous inventory shall be made.

(d) Minimization. Inspectors shall minimize intrusion and shall not use postal search authority for general intelligence collection unrelated to a defined federal offense.

(e) Audit. All executive inspection orders shall be subject to quarterly audit by an internal compliance officer designated by the Postmaster General, with summaries provided to the executive oversight office described in Chapter 8.

§ 506. Seizure of counterfeit postage and postal instruments

(a) Seizure authority. UCPIS may seize counterfeit, altered, or unlawfully reproduced postage, meters, labels, or postal instruments when discovered in the course of postal operations or investigations.

(b) Preservation. Seized items shall be inventoried and preserved as evidence for prosecution or administrative action.

(c) Notice. Where practicable, the person from whom items are seized shall receive a written receipt describing the items and the basis for seizure.

(d) Disposition. Counterfeit postage shall be destroyed after final disposition of the case, unless retained for training or reference in a secure setting.

Chapter 6 — Postal Property, Contracts, and Finance

§ 601. Postal property; acquisition and use

(a) Property authority. UCPS may acquire, lease, maintain, and dispose of postal property necessary for service, including facilities, vehicles, sorting equipment, and secure storage.

(b) Use restrictions. Postal property shall be used for postal purposes. Use for unrelated governmental functions requires written authorization by the Postmaster General and must not impair postal service.

(c) State cooperation. UCPS may lease space from States or localities or co-locate with State services where security and operations permit, under written agreement.

(d) Protection. Damage to postal property or theft of postal equipment shall be referred to UCPIS and may be prosecuted under Title 18.

§ 602. Contracts and transportation; basic standards

(a) Contracting authority. UCPS may contract for transportation, facility services, equipment maintenance, printing of postage, and other needs, consistent with Title 5 procurement and integrity principles.

(b) Carrier standards. Transportation contractors shall meet reliability and safety standards, maintain secure handling procedures, and submit to reasonable inspection of chain-of-custody records for registered and high-value mail.

(c) Confidentiality. Contractors shall safeguard postal customer information and shall not disclose routing, manifests, or delivery information except as authorized by UCPS or UCPIS.

(d) Termination for cause. UCPS may suspend or terminate a contract where credible evidence shows theft, diversion, falsification of logs, or repeated serious performance failures, subject to Chapter 8 dispute procedures.

§ 603. Postal revenues; accounting and safeguards

(a) Revenues. UCPS shall collect postage and fees for services and shall apply revenues to postal operations, security, and maintenance.

(b) Safeguards. UCPS shall maintain basic accounting controls, including daily reconciliation of retail transactions, separation of duties where practicable, and secure storage of cash and negotiables.

(c) Loss reporting. Suspected loss, embezzlement, or fraud involving postal funds shall be reported to UCPIS immediately and documented for audit.

(d) Limited appropriations. The federal executive may provide limited appropriations or emergency support for continuity of mail during disruptions, but UCPS shall not be used as a general welfare instrument.

Chapter 7 — International Mail and Customs Interface

§ 701. International mail; coordination with customs and immigration

(a) General. UCPS may accept and dispatch international mail and may act as the national postal interface with foreign postal administrations, subject to the limited foreign-relations authority of the Union of Columbia.

(b) Customs interface. International parcels and other dutiable items are subject to customs examination and duties under Title 19.

(1) UCPS shall route international mail through approved exchange offices.

(2) Customs officers may examine international mail consistent with Title 19 and the privacy safeguards of § 402 and § 505.

(c) Immigration interface. Where international mail is used to facilitate immigration document fraud or smuggling relevant to UCICS enforcement, UCPIS may coordinate with UCICS consistent with Title 8 and Title 18.

(d) Seizure and notice. When customs or inspection personnel seize international items as contraband or evidence, they shall document the basis and provide notice to the addressee where practicable and consistent with investigative needs.

§ 702. Customs declarations; prohibited international contents

(a) Declarations required. Senders of international parcels shall provide accurate customs declarations describing contents and value. False declarations are subject to penalties under Title 18 and Title 19.

(b) Prohibited contents. UCPS shall publish a list of prohibited international items, including hazardous materials, contraband, and items prohibited by destination rules.

(c) Detention for verification. Where a declaration appears false or incomplete, UCPS may detain the item for customs review and may require additional documentation before release.

(d) Return or destruction. Prohibited international items may be returned to sender, surrendered to customs, or destroyed when return is not practicable, subject to Title 19 disposition rules and evidence preservation.

Chapter 8 — Administrative Process and Remedies

§ 801. Customer complaints; service inquiries; claims

(a) Inquiry process. UCPS shall provide a method for customers to inquire about missing or delayed mail and to request delivery confirmation for qualifying items.

(b) Claims. Claims for insured loss or damage shall be filed within published time limits and must include proof of mailing, proof of value, and a description of packaging.

(c) Investigation support. UCPS may refer claims indicating theft, fraud, or tampering to UCPIS. A civil claim process shall not impede a criminal investigation.

(d) Denials. Denied claims shall include a brief written explanation and instructions for administrative reconsideration under § 802.

§ 802. Administrative reconsideration; final agency decision

(a) Reconsideration. UCPS shall provide a simple reconsideration process for adverse customer decisions (including denial of claims, refusal of service, or post office box actions) where the customer may submit additional evidence.

(b) Timelines. UCPS may set reasonable timelines for submission and response. Emergency safety decisions (e.g., closure for threat) may be reviewed after stabilization.

(c) Final decision. The Postmaster General or a designated officer shall issue a final agency decision for disputes exceeding a published threshold or presenting recurring policy questions.

(d) Records. UCPS shall maintain basic records of decisions for consistency and audit. Personal information shall be protected under § 402.

§ 803. Oversight, audits, and integrity controls

(a) Internal oversight. The Postmaster General shall designate an internal compliance officer to audit executive inspection orders (§ 505), evidence controls, and loss prevention programs.

(b) Complaint channels. UCPS shall maintain a channel for reporting employee misconduct, theft, bribery attempts, or abuse of inspection authority, with referrals to UCPIS as appropriate.

(c) Discipline. Misconduct by postal employees is subject to Title 5 adverse action procedures and, where criminal, referral under Title 18.

(d) State cooperation reviews. Where UCPS operates under a cooperative agreement with a State, UCPS may conduct periodic reviews to ensure the agreement does not compromise mail security or operational neutrality.

Cross-References

§ 901. Related titles and authorities

(a) Title 5 — Government Organization. For federal employee merit principles, adverse actions, procurement integrity, and basic administrative procedure, see Title 5.

(b) Title 18 — Crimes and Criminal Procedure. For offenses involving mail theft, mail fraud, obstruction of federal officers, bribery, false statements, perjury in federal matters, and general criminal procedure, see Title 18.

(c) Title 19 — Customs Duties. For customs examination, duties, seizures, and prohibited import/export items affecting international mail, see Title 19.

(d) Title 8 — Immigration and Nationality. For immigration document fraud, alien smuggling, and UCICS enforcement coordination relevant to postal investigations, see Title 8.

(e) Title 22 and Title 50. For foreign-relations interface and international intelligence coordination affecting international mail security (as applicable and authorized), see Title 22 and Title 50.

(f) State law preserved. Nothing in this Title preempts State criminal law for purely intrastate offenses not involving the postal stream or federal postal property, except where State action would obstruct federal postal operations.

Editorial note: This Title is drafted for a small federal administration. Procedures requiring judicial warrants in larger systems are implemented here through narrow, documented executive inspection orders with audit safeguards, limited to postal offenses and mail security.