Regulations on Post Office Mailboxes
- Every post office imposes the same mailbox regulations.smallest us post office image by Pix by Marti from Fotolia.com
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has established strict guidelines that do not allow for much variation (though some might be approved if good cause is shown). The goal of the guidelines is to keep the roadways safe and make it as easy as possible for the carrier to do his business and stay on schedule. - Any company that desires to manufacture and sell mailboxes for official curbside use in the United States must first obtain approval from the USPS. Look for the post office stamp of approval on any mailbox you are considering purchasing. Some customers prefer a custom-built box, either for aesthetic or other reasons. They have the option of contacting the local postmaster who, at his discretion, can approve the request as long as it meets the same general standards for flag size, strength, and quality of construction. The support post that holds the mailbox must be of sufficient strength and bear no lettering or caricature that makes fun of any person or group. Likewise, no advertising of any kind is allowed on the post or mailbox.
- The mailbox must include either a box number or authorized postal address in one-inch high letters and/or numerals that are visible on the side to the carrier's approach or, if boxes are grouped together, on the door of the box. The mailbox may display the owner's name, but it is not required. It is legal for a customer to have a lock on their mailbox but it must also have a slot large enough to accept the normal volume of daily mail. Your carrier will not unlock your box to deliver mail and will not accept a key for the receptacle--the only exception being when he uses a key to open the face of a mailbox wall containing several boxes, such as those commonly found in an apartment complex.
- Since the USPS is the only authorized entity that may open a mailbox and place mail inside, the issue often arises of where private carriers can place newspapers delivered to customers. The postal service does allow for a separate newspaper receptacle to be attached to the post holding the official mailbox, but it cannot touch the mailbox, interfere with the operation of the signal flag or obstruct the view of the mailbox in any way. If you need guidance for this, contact your carrier or the local postmaster.
