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******
Fed X is not bringing our packages to our house but leaving them sit on the road by our mailbox. Isn’t it against the law to put Fed X packages in the mailbox? How can we get the driver to do his job? Do alit of ordering on line xause totally housebound.
I hope that my plee is understood. I can’t deal with UPSP any more. I need a caring and professional service that will protect my packages to be left at the side door of my house. THANK YOU.
I have too many problems with USPS. I have to have package delivery to the side door of my house. I have tried endlessly request to go to the side door. They never did so packages have been stolen. I want to get rid of USPS. PLEASE HELP ME. THANK YOU.