39 USC § 605 - Searching vessels for letters

---
identifier: "/us/usc/t39/s605"
source: "usc"
legal_status: "official_legal_evidence"
title: "39 USC § 605 - Searching vessels for letters"
title_number: 39
title_name: "POSTAL SERVICE"
section_number: "605"
section_name: "Searching vessels for letters"
chapter_number: 6
chapter_name: "PRIVATE CARRIAGE OF LETTERS"
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. 728.)"
---


# § 605. Searching vessels for letters

An officer or employee of the Postal Service performing duties related to the inspection of postal matters, when instructed by the Postal Service to make examinations and seizures, and any customs officer without special instructions shall search vessels for letters which may be on board, or which may have been conveyed contrary to law.

---

**Source Credit**: (Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 728.)

## 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 .