18 USC § 1725 - Postage unpaid on deposited mail matter

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t18/s1725"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "18 USC § 1725 - Postage unpaid on deposited mail matter"
title_number: 18
title_name: "CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE"
section_number: "1725"
section_name: "Postage unpaid on deposited mail matter"
chapter_number: 83
chapter_name: "POSTAL SERVICE"
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. 784; Pub. L. 91–375, § 6(j)(33), Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 780; Pub. L. 103–322, title XXXIII, § 330016(1)(F), Sept. 13, 1994, 108 Stat. 2147.)"
---


# § 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.

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

### Historical and Revision Notes

Based on title 18, U.S.C., 1940 ed., § 321a (, ).

Reference to persons aiding or assisting was struck out as unnecessary since such persons are made principals by .

Minor verbal changes were made.

## Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1994— substituted “fined under this title” for “fined not more than $300”.

1970— substituted “Postal Service” for “Postmaster General”.

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date of 1970 Amendment

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