---
kind: "section"
citation: "39 U.S.C. § 413"
title: "39"
title_heading: "Postal Service"
number: "413"
heading: "Postal services at diplomatic posts"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/39/413"
units:
  - "Part I — General"
  - "Chapter 4 — General Authority"
---

# §413. Postal services at diplomatic posts

- (a) The [Postal Service](/usc/39/102.md?p=1) and the Department of State may enter into 1 or more agreements for field testing to ascertain the feasibility of providing [postal services](/usc/39/102.md?p=1) through personnel provided by the Department of State at branch post offices established by the [Postal Service](/usc/39/102.md?p=1) in United States diplomatic missions at locations abroad for which branch post offices are not established under section 406.
- (b) To the extent that the [Postal Service](/usc/39/102.md?p=1) and the Department of State conclude it to be feasible and in the public interest, the [Postal Service](/usc/39/102.md?p=1) may establish branch post offices at United States diplomatic missions in locations abroad for which branch post offices are not established under [section 406](/usc/39/406.md), and the Department of State may enter into an agreement with the [Postal Service](/usc/39/102.md?p=1) to perform [postal services](/usc/39/102.md?p=1) at such branch post offices through personnel designated by the Department of State.
- (c) The Department of State shall reimburse the [Postal Service](/usc/39/102.md?p=1) for any amounts, determined by the [Postal Service](/usc/39/102.md?p=1), equal to the additional costs incurred by the [Postal Service](/usc/39/102.md?p=1), including transportation costs, incurred by the [Postal Service](/usc/39/102.md?p=1) in the performance of its obligations under any agreement entered into under this section.
- (d) Each agreement entered into under this section shall include—
  - (1) provisions under which the Department of State shall make any reimbursements required under [subsection (c)](#c);
  - (2) provisions authorizing the [Postal Service](/usc/39/102.md?p=1) to terminate the agreement, and the services provided thereunder, in the event that the Department of State does not comply with the provisions under [paragraph (1)](#d-1); and
  - (3) any other provisions which may be necessary, including provisions relating to the closing of a post office under this section if necessary because a post office under [section 406](/usc/39/406.md) is established in the same location.

## Source credit

(Added Pub. L. 101–524, § 5(a), Nov. 6, 1990, 104 Stat. 2303.)