"@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "Legislation", name: title, url: fullUrl, jurisdiction: { "@type": "AdministrativeArea", name: 'United States' }, legislationIdentifier: meta.section_number, legislationType: 'Statute', isPartOf: { "@type": "Legislation", name: 'United States Code' } })}

Title 39 of the U.S. Code § 102 - Definitions

Full text of § 102 from Title 39 of the United States Code.

§ 102. Definitions

As used in this title—

(1) "Postal Service" means the United States Postal Service established by section 201 of this title;

(2) "Board of Governors", and "Board", unless the context otherwise requires, mean the Board of Governors established under section 202 of this title;

(3) "Governors" means the 9 members of the Board of Governors appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, under section 202(a) of this title;

(4) "Inspector General" means the Inspector General appointed under section 202(e) of this title;

(5) "postal service" refers to the delivery of letters, printed matter, or mailable packages, including acceptance, collection, sorting, transportation, or other functions ancillary thereto;

(6) "product" means a postal service with a distinct cost or market characteristic for which a rate or rates are, or may reasonably be, applied;

(7) "rates", as used with respect to products, includes fees for postal services;

(8) "market-dominant product" or "product in the market-dominant category of mail" means a product subject to subchapter I of chapter 36;

(9) "competitive product" or "product in the competitive category of mail" means a product subject to subchapter II of chapter 36; and

(10) "year", as used in chapter 36 (other than subchapters I and VI thereof), means a fiscal year.

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 720; Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, §101(f) [title VI, §662(a)(2)], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–314, 3009–379; Pub. L. 109–435, title I, §101, Dec. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 3199.)


Editorial Notes

Amendments

2006—Pars. (5) to (10). Pub. L. 109–435 added pars. (5) to (10).

1996—Par. (4). Pub. L. 104–208 added par. (4).


Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective July 1, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71–9 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91–375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title.

CHAPTER 2—ORGANIZATION

Sec.
201.
United States Postal Service.
202.
Board of Governors.
203.
Postmaster General; Deputy Postmaster General.
204.
General Counsel; Judicial Officer; Chief Postal Inspector.
205.
Procedures of the Board of Governors.
206.
Advisory Council.
207.
Seal.
208.
Reservation of powers.

        

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1996—Pub. L. 104–208, div. A, title I, §101(f) [title VI, §662(f)(2)(B)], Sept. 30, 1996, 110 Stat. 3009–314, 3009–383, in item 204 substituted "General Counsel; Judicial Officer; Chief Postal Inspector" for "Assistant Postmasters General; General Counsel; Judicial Officer".

About This Section

39 U.S.C. § 102 is part of Title 39 of the United States Code. The United States Code is the official codification of federal statutes maintained by the Office of the Law Revision Counsel of the U.S. House of Representatives. Congress amends the Code through new public laws, which are eventually incorporated into the relevant title.

This section may be cited in legal writing as 39 U.S.C. § 102. For the most current official text, including any recent amendments, use the official source links below. Do not rely on this page as the sole authority for legal citation or litigation.

How to Read This Statute

Statutes are organized by title, chapter, section, and subsection. Pay attention to words like "shall," "may," "and," and "or," because they determine whether a requirement is mandatory or permissive and whether multiple conditions must all be met. Historical notes and amendments often appear at the end of a section.

Using This Page

This page is intended for research and educational use. Lawyers, students, journalists, and compliance professionals can use it as a starting point, but should always verify the current text through an official government source before relying on it for legal advice, filings, or compliance decisions.

Sources

Not legal advice. Verify against the official source.