39 USC § 102 - Definitions

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t39/s102"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "39 USC § 102 - Definitions"
title_number: 39
title_name: "POSTAL SERVICE"
section_number: "102"
section_name: "Definitions"
chapter_number: 1
chapter_name: "POSTAL POLICY AND DEFINITIONS"
part_number: "I"
part_name: "GENERAL"
positive_law: true
currency: "119-84"
last_updated: "2026-03-26"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
source_credit: "(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 720; Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, § 101(f) [title VI, § 662(a)(2)], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–314, 3009–379; Pub. L. 109–435, title I, § 101, Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3199.)"
---


# § 102. Definitions

As used in this title—

**(1)** “Postal Service” means the United States Postal Service established by section 201 of this title;

**(2)** “Board of Governors”, and “Board”, unless the context otherwise requires, mean the Board of Governors established under section 202 of this title;

**(3)** “Governors” means the 9 members of the Board of Governors appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, under section 202(a) of this title;

**(4)** “Inspector General” means the Inspector General appointed under section 202(e) of this title;

**(5)** “postal service” refers to the delivery of letters, printed matter, or mailable packages, including acceptance, collection, sorting, transportation, or other functions ancillary thereto;

**(6)** “product” means a postal service with a distinct cost or market characteristic for which a rate or rates are, or may reasonably be, applied;

**(7)** “rates”, as used with respect to products, includes fees for postal services;

**(8)** “market-dominant product” or “product in the market-dominant category of mail” means a product subject to subchapter I of chapter 36;

**(9)** “competitive product” or “product in the competitive category of mail” means a product subject to subchapter II of chapter 36; and

**(10)** “year”, as used in chapter 36 (other than subchapters I and VI thereof), means a fiscal year.

---

**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 720; Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, § 101(f) [title VI, § 662(a)(2)], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–314, 3009–379; Pub. L. 109–435, title I, § 101, Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3199.)

## Editorial Notes

### Amendments

2006—Pars. (5) to (10).  added pars. (5) to (10).

1996—Par. (4).  added par. (4).

## Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

### Effective Date

Section effective , pursuant to Resolution No. 71–9 of the Board of Governors. See , set out as a note preceding .