Is it Legal to Put Flyers in Mailboxes? | Legal Beagle

Is it Legal to Put Flyers in Mailboxes?

Written By
Tony Smith
Tony Smith
Dec 7, 2009
1 minute read

Mailing flyers can be expensive for small business or entrepreneurs who want to advertise their services. To avoid postal costs, many local advertisers would rather place flyers in mailboxes. However, there are laws you have to consider before doing so.

History

The United States Postal Service, or USPS, was founded in 1775 as a division of the government, which means USPS has the right to make legal restrictions.

Without Postage

According to postal regulations, no flyer or anything else mailable can be be put in a mailbox without proper postage.

With Postage

Even if you put a stamp on your flyer, it is still illegal to put the flyer in a mailbox unless it was mailed through the post office.

Collection Boxes

It is also illegal to affix flyers, stickers, or anything else to a United States Postal Service collection box.

Mail Slots

The only exception to the rule is a mail slot on a door or building. USPS regulations don't cover this, so you can insert a flyer into a mail slot.

Tony Smith

Tony Smith has published articles, tutorials, comic book stories, poetry and fiction in both electronic and print media. He works days as the Prepress Manager/IT Coordinator for a printing company and has over 20 years of computer…

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