2019 US Code
Title 39 - Postal Service
Part IV - Mail Matter
Chapter 30 - Nonmailable Matter
Sec. 3009 - Mailing of unordered merchandise
39 U.S.C. § 3009 (2019) |
ยง3009. Mailing of unordered merchandise |
(a) Except for (1) free samples clearly and conspicuously marked as such, and (2) merchandise mailed by a charitable organization soliciting contributions, the mailing of unordered merchandise or of communications prohibited by subsection (c) of this section constitutes an unfair method of competition and an unfair trade practice in violation of section 45(a)(1) of title 15. (b) Any merchandise mailed in violation of subsection (a) of this section, or within the exceptions contained therein, may be treated as a gift by the recipient, who shall have the right to retain, use, discard, or dispose of it in any manner he sees fit without any obligation whatsoever to the sender. All such merchandise shall have attached to it a clear and conspicuous statement informing the recipient that he may treat the merchandise as a gift to him and has the right to retain, use, discard, or dispose of it in any manner he sees fit without any obligation whatsoever to the sender. (c) No mailer of any merchandise mailed in violation of subsection (a) of this section, or within the exceptions contained therein, shall mail to any recipient of such merchandise a bill for such merchandise or any dunning communications. (d) For the purposes of this section, "unordered merchandise" means merchandise mailed without the prior expressed request or consent of the recipient. |
(Pub. L. 91โ375, Aug. 12, 1970, 84 Stat. 749.) |
EFFECTIVE DATE
Section effective July 1, 1971, pursuant to Resolution No. 71โ9 of the Board of Governors. See section 15(a) of Pub. L. 91โ375, set out as a note preceding section 101 of this title. |
United States Code, 2018 Edition, Supplement 1, Title 39 - POSTAL SERVICE |
Bills and Statutes |
United States Code |
Y 1.2/5: |
Title 39 - POSTAL SERVICE PART IV - MAIL MATTER CHAPTER 30 - NONMAILABLE MATTER Sec. 3009 - Mailing of unordered merchandise |
section 3009 |
2019 |
January 24, 2020 |
Yes |
standard |
84 Stat. 749 |
Public Law 91-375 |