Prohibited Use of Postal Mailboxes

Submitted by Greenwell Springs Postmaster Joseph Augustus

The Greenwell Springs Post Office has been contacted recently regarding materials not bearing postage that have been placed in or on mailboxes.  Because of this, the Post Master at that office has requested that the following articles be printed as a reminder of the laws concerning the use of mailboxes.

Article 3.13: Use for mail box receptacles may be used only for matter mail bearing postage.  Delivery of unstamped mail should not be delivered, placed upon, supported by, attached to, hung from, or inserted into a mail receptacle.  Any mailable matter not bearing postage and found as described above is subject to the same postage as would be paid if it were carried by a mail carrier.

Article 3.25: Advertising: Any advertising materials (flyer, cards, notes) or any other matter placed on or inserted in mail box receptacle or its support is prohibited.

Article 8.3.1: Penalty: Whoever knowingly and willingly deposits any mailable materials such as statements of accounts, circulars, sale bills, or other like materials on which no postage is paid, in any letterbox established, approved, or accepted by the Postal Service for the delivery of mail matter on any route, with intent to avoid payment or lawful postage thereon, shall for each such offense, be fined not more than $5,000.00 per individual or $10,000.00 per organization.

In short, please do not put anything in or on anyone else’s mailbox. If you have something to mail, send it through the Postal Service.  If you have something to deliver to someone yourself, do not leave it in a mailbox.  This includes commercial as well as personal letters.

If assistance is needed in any other postal issues or concerns, please feel free to contact the Post Master at 261-4985.