§ 1696. Private express for letters and packets

Statutory text

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.

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.

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.

Legislative history

Reconstructed from this section’s Code source credit and amendment notes, resolved against the local Statutes at Large. Editorial notes are evidence, not the law that made the change.

1948
Pub. L. 80–645 · 62 Stat. 683
Enacted · 18 U.S.C. § 1696
June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 777
Source evidence
Code source credit
June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 777
1970
Postal Reorganization Act
Pub. L. 91–375 § 6(j)(14) · 84 Stat. 719
Substituted · 18 U.S.C. § 1696(c)
Pub. L. 91–375 substituted “section 601 of title 39” for “section 500 of title 39”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 91–375 substituted “section 601 of title 39” for “section 500 of title 39”.
Enacted provision · exact public law section
(14) Section 1696(c) is amended by striking out “section 500 of title 39” and inserting in lieu thereof “section 601 of title 39”.
Effective date note
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.
1994
Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act of 1994
Pub. L. 103–322 title XXXIII § 330016(1)(A) · 108 Stat. 1796
Substituted · 18 U.S.C. § 1696(b)
Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $50”
Source evidence
Code amendment note
Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–322 substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $50”.
Enacted provision · exact public law section
(A) in sections 1693, 1694, 1695, and 1696 by striking “not more than $50” and inserting “under this title”;

2 of 3 references resolved to an enrolled provision · 1 partial

Notes

Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., §§ 304, 306, 309 (Mar. 4, 1909, ch. 321, §§ 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.

Editorial Notes

Amendments1970–1994 · 2 rounds

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”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

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.

Credits

1948–1994 · 3 acts

1948June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 777
1970Pub. L. 91–375, § 6(j)(14), Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 778
1994Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(A), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2146.

Show as published

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 777; Pub. L. 91–375, § 6(j)(14), Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 778; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(A), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2146.)