(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.
Structure US Code
Title 18— CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
§ 1691. Laws governing postal savings
§ 1692. Foreign mail as United States mail
§ 1693. Carriage of mail generally
§ 1694. Carriage of matter out of mail over post routes
§ 1695. Carriage of matter out of mail on vessels
§ 1696. Private express for letters and packets
§ 1697. Transportation of persons acting as private express
§ 1698. Prompt delivery of mail from vessel
§ 1699. Certification of delivery from vessel
§ 1701. Obstruction of mails generally
§ 1702. Obstruction of correspondence
§ 1703. Delay or destruction of mail or newspapers
§ 1704. Keys or locks stolen or reproduced
§ 1705. Destruction of letter boxes or mail
§ 1707. Theft of property used by Postal Service
§ 1708. Theft or receipt of stolen mail matter generally
§ 1709. Theft of mail matter by officer or employee
§ 1711. Misappropriation of postal funds
§ 1712. Falsification of postal returns to increase compensation
§ 1713. Issuance of money orders without payment
§ 1715. Firearms as nonmailable; regulations
§ 1716. Injurious articles as nonmailable
§ 1716A. Nonmailable locksmithing devices and motor vehicle master keys
§ 1716C. Forged agricultural certifications
§ 1716E. Tobacco products as nonmailable
§ 1717. Letters and writings as nonmailable
§ 1720. Canceled stamps and envelopes
§ 1721. Sale or pledge of stamps
§ 1722. False evidence to secure second-class rate
§ 1723. Avoidance of postage by using lower class matter
§ 1724. Postage on mail delivered by foreign vessels
§ 1725. Postage unpaid on deposited mail matter
§ 1726. Postage collected unlawfully
§ 1728. Weight of mail increased fraudulently
§ 1729. Post office conducted without authority
§ 1731. Vehicles falsely labeled as carriers
§ 1732. Approval of bond or sureties by postmaster
§ 1733. Mailing periodical publications without prepayment of postage
§ 1734. Editorials and other matter as “advertisements”
§ 1735. Sexually oriented advertisements
§ 1736. Restrictive use of information