Laws on Fliers in Mailboxes

Although there are laws pertaining to mailboxes, they are not followed as closely as what they should be. The United States Postal Service has strict rules pertaining to the use of the mailbox. There is a primary use and unacceptable uses pertaining to fliers. Stiff punishments and other costs could arise if someone is caught placing fliers in or near the mailbox.

Primary Mailbox Use

The primary use of a mailbox is to receive mail that has postage paid and is delivered by the United States Postal Service. Fed Ex and UPS don't have rights to place anything in a mailbox. Newspapers can be delivered if they are sent through the mail with postal applied. Outgoing mail can be placed in the mailbox as long as it has postage applied.

Fliers Sent

Fliers sent through the Postal Service can be placed in the mailbox because the flier has the proper postage and is delivered by a postal worker. These fliers are not dropped off or placed into a mailbox by an unauthorized person. As long as the flier has postage, you will know that a postal worker placed it in the mailbox.

Fliers Dropped Off

A person that willingly places a flier into mailboxes without postage can be arrested. A person who does not receive any mail at said box does not have any right to remove or place anything in the mailbox.

Fliers Attached to Mailboxes

Fliers cannot be attached to the mailbox with string or a rubber band. The mailbox has a sole purpose and that is for postal mail to be placed inside. Although the mailbox belongs to the address and people pay for their own mailboxes, it is the property of the Postal Service and cannot be used for any purpose other than to receive and send out mail.

Violation Punishment

If a person is caught placing a flier in any mailbox, the person can be fined. However, there is no jail time associated with the offense. The maximum fine is $10,000 for an organization and $5,000 for an individual.

Warning

Besides being fined for using the postal box for flier distribution, the company or individual can be made to pay for the postal cost of every flier that was found in or on a mailbox. This usually means that the person whose mailbox was violated would not see the flier, but the postage is charged anyway.

References

• Mailbox Law