---
kind: "section"
citation: "39 U.S.C. § 2603"
title: "39"
title_heading: "Postal Service"
number: "2603"
heading: "Settlement of claims for damages caused by the Postal Service"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/39/2603"
units:
  - "Part III — Modernization and Fiscal Administration"
  - "Chapter 26 — Debts and Collection"
---

# §2603. Settlement of claims for damages caused by the Postal Service


When the [Postal Service](/usc/39/102.md?p=1) finds a claim for damage to persons or property resulting from the operation of the [Postal Service](/usc/39/102.md?p=1) to be a proper charge against the United States, and it is not cognizable under [section 2672 of title 28](/usc/28/2672.md), it may adjust and settle the claim.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 745.)

## Notes

### 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.

### Charge Against Postal Revenues for Settlement of Claims for Damages and for Losses Resulting From Unavoidable Casualty

Pub. L. 89–57, title II, § 201, June 30, 1965, 79 Stat. 200, provided in part: “That hereafter settlement of claims, pursuant to law, current and prior fiscal years, for damages, and for losses resulting from unavoidable casualty shall be paid from postal revenues.”