18 USC § 440 - Mail contracts

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t18/s440"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "18 USC § 440 - Mail contracts"
title_number: 18
title_name: "CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE"
section_number: "440"
section_name: "Mail contracts"
chapter_number: 23
chapter_name: "CONTRACTS"
part_number: "I"
part_name: "CRIMES"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-04-21"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 704; Pub. L. 91–375, § 6(j)(3), Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 777; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(L), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)"
---


# 1 Mail contracts

See 1994 Amendment note below.

[^1]

Whoever, being a person employed in the Postal Service, becomes interested in any contract for carrying the mail, or acts as agent, with or without compensation, for any contractor or person offering to become a contractor in any business before the Postal Service, shall be fined under this title  or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

---

**Source Credit**: (June 25, 1948, ch. 645, 62 Stat. 704; Pub. L. 91–375, § 6(j)(3), Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 777; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(L), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 356 (, ).

Provision for dismissal from office was omitted since this might be handled better administratively.

Changes were made in phraseology.

## Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1994—, which directed the amendment of this section by substituting “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $10,000”, was executed by making the substitution for “fined not more than $5,000”, to reflect the probable intent of Congress.

1970— substituted “Postal Service” for “Post Office Department” before “, shall be fined”.

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1970 Amendment

Amendment by  effective within 1 year after , on date established therefor by the Board of Governors of the United States Postal Service and published by it in the Federal Register, see , set out as an Effective Date note preceding , Postal Service.