---
kind: "section"
citation: "39 U.S.C. § 5003"
title: "39"
title_heading: "Postal Service"
number: "5003"
heading: "Establishment of post roads"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/39/5003"
units:
  - "Part V — Transportation of Mail"
  - "Chapter 50 — General"
---

# §5003. Establishment of post roads


The following are post roads:

- (1) the waters of the United States, during the time the mail is carried thereon;
- (2) railroads or parts of railroads and air routes in operation;
- (3) canals, during the time the mail is carried thereon;
- (4) public roads, highways, and toll roads during the time the mail is carried thereon; and
- (5) letter-carrier routes established for the collection and delivery of mail.

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 91–375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 766.)

## 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.