
From the U.S. Code Online via GPO Access
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[Laws in effect as of January 23, 2000]
[Document not affected by Public Laws enacted between
  January 23, 2000 and December 4, 2001]
[CITE: 39USC3623]

 
                        TITLE 39--POSTAL SERVICE
 
                          PART IV--MAIL MATTER
 
             CHAPTER 36--POSTAL RATES, CLASSES, AND SERVICES
 
           SUBCHAPTER II--PERMANENT RATES AND CLASSES OF MAIL
 
Sec. 3623. Mail classification

    (a) Within 2 years after the effective date of this subchapter, the 
Postal Service shall request the Postal Rate Commission to make a 
recommended decision on establishing a mail classification schedule in 
accordance with the provisions of this section.
    (b) Following the establishment of the mail classification schedule 
requested under subsection (a) of this section, the Postal Service may 
from time to time request that the Commission submit, or the Commission 
may submit to the Governors on its own initiative, a recommended 
decision on changes in the mail classification schedule.
    (c) The Commission shall make a recommended decision on establishing 
or changing the schedule in accordance with the policies of this title 
and the following factors:
        (1) the establishment and maintenance of a fair and equitable 
    classification system for all mail;
        (2) the relative value to the people of the kinds of mail matter 
    entered into the postal system and the desirability and 
    justification for special classifications and services of mail;
        (3) the importance of providing classifications with extremely 
    high degrees of reliability and speed of delivery;
        (4) the importance of providing classifications which do not 
    require an extremely high degree of reliability and speed of 
    delivery;
        (5) the desirability of special classifications from the point 
    of view of both the user and of the Postal Service; and
        (6) such other factors as the Commission may deem appropriate.

    (d) The Postal Service shall maintain one or more classes of mail 
for the transmission of letters sealed against inspection. The rate for 
each such class shall be uniform throughout the United States, its 
territories, and possessions. One such class shall provide for the most 
expeditious handling and transportation afforded mail matter by the 
Postal Service. No letter of such a class of domestic origin shall be 
opened except under authority of a search warrant authorized by law, or 
by an officer or employee of the Postal Service for the sole purpose of 
determining an address at which the letter can be delivered, or pursuant 
to the authorization of the addressee.

(Pub. L. 91-375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 761; Pub. L. 94-421, Sec. 8, 
Sept. 24, 1976, 90 Stat. 1310.)

                       References in Text

    The effective date of this subchapter, referred to in subsec. (a), 
is Jan. 20, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71-10 of the Board of 
Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91-375, set out as an Effective 
Date note preceding section 101 of this title.


                               Amendments

    1976--Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 94-421 substituted ``Governors on'' for 
``Postal Service on''.

                  Section Referred to in Other Sections

    This section is referred to in sections 3624, 3641 of this title.
