The local postman once saw me putting flyers into a mailbox and he told me that if the postmaster recieves complaints about the flyers, I personally could be fined $1000 plus the cost of postage for every flyer that went into a mailbox.

I just want to add some support to those that have said that it is illegal to place materials in other people's mailboxes. The next time you drive up a rural road, noticed the mailboxes that are along it. They can be solitary mail boxes or they may occur in groups. Notice that often beneath the mailbox, there is a smaller box or tube with the name of the local news paper on it. The reason why that other box is there is because the newspaper carrier may not put the paper in the mailbox. If he did put it in the mailbox, then he could open himself and the paper up to a lot of trouble.

It's not legal to put anything in a mailbox but US Mail, handled by the Postal Service.

Crimes and Criminal Procedure - 18 USC Section 1725
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18 USC Section 1725



01/19/04


Sec. 1725. Postage unpaid on deposited mail matter


Whoever knowingly and willfully deposits any mailable matter such as statements of accounts, circulars, sale bills, or other like matter, on which no postage has been paid, in any letter box established, approved, or accepted by the Postal Service for the receipt or delivery of mail matter on any mail route with intent to avoid payment of lawful postage thereon, shall for each such offense be fined under this title. AMENDMENTS 1994 - Pub. L. 103-322 substituted "fined under this title" for "fined not more than $300". 1970 - Pub. L. 91-375 substituted "Postal Service" for "Postmaster General". 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.

Last modified: April 12, 2006

It is illegal for anyone other than the owner of a mailbox, or the postal carrier, to put anything in a mailbox.

If you have flyers that you want to distribute, do it the honest way. Pay for postage on them, and send them through the mail.

Do not put them in or on other people's mailboxes; that's a federal offense.

Do not attach them to people's doors, cars, or other property; that's trespassing, littering, and vandalism.

Legitimate advertising costs money. Don't look for ways to steal it. Nobody wants to do business with a thief; any more than with a trespasser, a litterer, or a vandal.

It is illegal to open or place anything in a persons personal mailbox. the law is very clear in this area. its more important today than ever before for this reason......theft identity. bills arrive at your mailbox with vital personal information. your soc. sec. number, your account numbers, and of course checks in the mail. ciminals frequently canvass neighborhoods, looking in mailboxes, hoping to be able to use your information for their benefit. believe me, a neighbor will call the police to check out your suspicious activities. place the flyer on the flag of the mailbox. it will still be noticed and you will be legal. end

Nope. Only legally delivered mail from the U.S Postal service can be placed in your post box. Things like personal notes and newspapers and the like are not to be placed inside that sacred box.

But it's rarely pursued.

I confirm that is is ILLEGAL to OPEN somebody's mailbox and remove anything from it.

**DISCLAIMER ** This is my opinion and I truly believe in it.

The above law is written solely by them to protect USPS business. It can be challenged based on the fact that the mailbox is owned by the homeowner and not the federal government. So the homeowner gets to decide what he will or will not accept in it. It still applies that NOBODY other than the homeowner should OPEN it.

Some mailboxes have a special slot in front that allows insertion of mail into it. Using that access ** without opening the box** to add material should be LEGAL. Alternate is to just leave it attached to the outside of the mailbox and the owner will get it (Use weather proof plastic sleeve to protect from rain).

If we Americans used some common sense then this would not be such a complicated matter as I explain above.

Truly,
Samuel Benjamin.

http://law.justia.com/us/codes/title18/18usc1725.html

From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
[wais.access.gpo.gov]
[Laws in effect as of January 24, 2002]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
January 24, 2002 and December 19, 2002]
[CITE: 18USC1725]


TITLE 18--CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE

PART I--CRIMES

CHAPTER 83--POSTAL SERVICE

Sec. 1725. Postage unpaid on deposited mail matter

Whoever knowingly and willfully deposits any mailable matter such as statements of accounts, circulars, sale bills, or other like matter, on
which no postage has been paid, in any letter box established, approved, or accepted by the Postal Service for the receipt or delivery of mail
matter on any mail route with intent to avoid payment of lawful postage thereon, shall for each such offense be fined under this title.

(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 784; Pub. L. 91-375, Sec. 6(j)(33), Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 780; Pub. L. 103-322, title XXXIII, Sec. 330016(1)(F), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)


Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., Sec. 321a (May 7, 1934, ch. 220, Sec. 2, 48 Stat. 667).
Reference to persons aiding or assisting was struck out as unnecessary since such persons are made principals by section 2 of this title.
Minor verbal changes were made.


Amendments

1994--Pub. L. 103-322 substituted ``fined under this title'' for ``fined not more than $300''.
1970--Pub. L. 91-375 substituted ``Postal Service'' for ``Postmaster General''.


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.


According to this. The law says "in any letter box..." is unlawful. Nothing about the "flags" or the "post it sits on" or "on" the outside of the box. I don't know! The same people who complain about it "on" the mailbox will complain about it "on" their front door. Just throw it away if you don't want it. I'm just starting my business, I don't have a lot of money for postage, but I do have a lot of time.

I just recently started an Avon business. The Post Master in my area called me and informed me that it IS illegal to hang anything ON a persons mailbox. I didnt know that. I was not opening anyone's boxes, just placing them around the flags... Big no no apparently! So much for some trying to make an honest living, at least I dont sit on my butt collecting from the government! I am trying to make money to feed my family! IDK how your supposed to get word around esp like with a product like Avon when the catalog IS your store! Anyhooo... if any of you ladies need some great quality make up for a great price.... hee hee
www.youravon.com/astroming