It is illegal for FedEx, UPS, and carriers other than the USPS to deliver to a mailbox because the U.S. Postal Service has a monopoly on delivering mail to mailboxes. This monopoly is enshrined in federal law, and violators can be fined. The rationale behind this law is that the Postal Service needs to be able to reliably deliver mail to all Americans, regardless of where they live. This is especially important for people who live in rural areas, where private companies may be less likely to deliver mail. The law ensures that everyone has equal access to mail service. Proposals to open the mailbox to other carriers have come up, but so far the law has not changed.
The USPS has a monopoly on delivering mail to mailboxes
The U.S. Postal Service has a monopoly on delivering mail to mailboxes. This monopoly is enshrined in federal law and is known as mailbox restriction law, and violators can be fined.
The rationale behind this law is that the Postal Service needs to be able to reliably deliver mail to all Americans, regardless of where they live. This is especially important for people who live in rural areas, where private companies may be less likely to deliver mail.
The law ensures that everyone has equal access to mail service.
Mailbox restriction law
Mailbox restriction law is a federal law that is designed to prevent any third party from using your mailbox. This law was put in place to ensure secure mail delivery for everyone with a mailbox and sets fines for violations.
What is Mailbox Restriction law?
Mailbox Restriction prohibits anyone other than the United States Postal Service (USPS) from placing mailable matter on which no postage has been paid into any mailbox. This also precludes neighbors and or passersby from placing any item into your mailbox.
"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." (18 U.S.C. 1725; see also https://www.gao.gov/assets/ggd-97-85.pdf)
Origins
The mailbox restriction law, now 18 U.S.C. 1725, was enacted by Congress in 1934 and became section 1725 of Title 18 in 1948, giving the postal service a virtual monopoly over mailboxes and standard mail delivery. The law was implemented in order to provide a secure method for delivery of mail to each individual home and ensure the recipient receives what they need.
This is important since mail is a main method of communication between government offices and their constituents. All important documents such as voting information, IRS tax documents, and in the modern age, credit card and banking information can all be sent via mail.
Can other carriers such as FedEx or UPS deliver to my Mailbox?
No, they are not allowed to deliver directly to your mailbox since no postage has been paid. Their deliveries must be made directly to the customer, usually by being left at the front door. Most of their deliveries to private residences however are larger packages that wouldn't fit into your mailbox anyways so this isn't much of an issue.
At present, a UPS or FedEx driver cannot leave packages in a mailbox, instead, they must be left at the person's home, for example, their back door or garage. That is why small packages from private carriers end up on the porch rather than in the mailbox.
Fines for violating the law
Because section 1725 sets a fine only, a violation is treated as an infraction, with a maximum fine of $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization for each offense.
Tampering with a mailbox is a separate, more serious crime. Under 18 U.S.C. 1705, willfully damaging, destroying or breaking into a mailbox can bring a fine of up to $250,000 and up to 3 years in prison.
The Future
Since December 2018 there have been discussions about breaking the monopoly that the USPS has on your mailbox. A White House task force mentioned in its report that the USPS should "explore franchising the mailbox as a means of generating revenue." This would allow third-party carriers to place packages in mailboxes instead of having to leave packages on a resident's doorstep.
Some have also suggested that final delivery could also be handled by the post office via their network of postal trucks instead of third parties such as FedEx or UPS.
This could be a significant opportunity for the USPS to boost its revenues while helping other carriers reduce delivery costs by not requiring drivers to deliver directly to the front door for smaller items.
The USPS has reported large financial losses for years, which keeps the idea alive. A franchise between the USPS and other carriers could potentially allow small packages to be delivered directly to your mailbox in the future. As of 2026, however, the law has not changed.
Conclusion
Mailbox restriction law may one day be adapted to allow third-party carriers such as FedEx, UPS, or even Amazon to deliver mail and packages to a mailbox. There are a variety of hurdles that must be crossed for this to happen but it would be beneficial to the USPS by creating an additional revenue stream and also reducing delivery costs for third-party carriers.
Until then, the simplest fix is a separate lockable box for private-carrier deliveries. Our package mailboxes accept deliveries from any carrier through a one-way door, a large mailbox lets your USPS carrier leave more small packages in the box, and locking mailboxes keep what is delivered secure. Compare the options in our guide to the best mailbox for packages, or, if you live in a community with cluster mailboxes, see how parcel lockers work.
Frequently asked questions
Can UPS or FedEx put a package in my mailbox?
No. Under 18 U.S.C. 1725 only mail with postage paid may go in a mailbox, so UPS and FedEx drivers leave packages at your door, porch or another safe spot instead.
Why did I get a UPS package in my mailbox?
It was handed to USPS for the last mile through an economy service such as UPS Ground Saver (formerly SurePost), so postage was paid and your mail carrier delivered it. UPS paused these handoffs in 2025 and resumed some in January 2026.
What is the fine for putting something in a mailbox without postage?
Section 1725 sets a fine only, so it is an infraction: up to $5,000 for an individual or $10,000 for an organization per offense. Damaging or breaking into a mailbox is a separate felony under 18 U.S.C. 1705.
Can I give FedEx or UPS permission to use my mailbox?
No. The restriction covers any mailbox approved for USPS delivery, whatever the owner wants. A separate lockable package box gives private carriers a secure place to deliver.
Where should FedEx and UPS leave packages instead?
A lockable package drop box on your porch or beside your mailbox is the simplest option. You can also set delivery instructions in the carrier's app or have packages held at a pickup location.
******It is always recommended to contact your local postmaster prior to installation. While most of our mailboxes are USPS-approved your local postmaster may have specific preferences in terms of mailbox types and installation location******
Check your info. I was recently informed that a small FedEx pkg went int my mailbox because FedEx has a contract with USPS allowing that FedEx pkgs may be put in my mailbox if they fit. News to me!
I also live in a rural area and it’s crazy to leave a small package on the ground out on the road at the end of a driveway that might be not even visible from the residence, but I understand it. But it would also be nuts to have boxes for every delivery service!
Yes BUT … there are exceptions and UPS apparently has agreements with the USPS or with carriers that have contracted permission to deliver UPS packages to USPS addresses. For example, I just received a UPS delivery inside my mailbox, and the notification to me said “Delivered By: UPS with USPS Delivery”. Apparently “USPS Delivery” is a middle-man that gets it done. I also, recently, accidentally chose UPS for a delivery to my USPS post office box … and it worked – I picked up the package at the USPS counter downtown…
I contacted USPS about the situation. I spent half an hour on the phone trying to locate someone who knew anything about it. Couldn’t find anyone to file a complaint. I tried to call my local post office numerous times and there’s no answer. So what do I do?
The USPS doesn’t seem to know what to do about this law. And those that do are hard to find. I don’t know how to. Any suggestions? Thank you!
This law which keep’s third party couriers from delivering to mailboxes is just crazy to me. They’re all in the service of delivering mail and packages. So why the restriction?The law states its so people living in rural areas are able to get their mail. But I’m failing to see how this would be an issue to restrict another sector. Seems to me this whole law was originally placed for revenue purposes during a time where USPS was widely preferred and used. However, that is no longer the case and even though the revenue is not what it used to be this law is stubbornly still in place as a past that is currently outdated.