(j) Santa Claus letters, with postage fully prepaid (or local unpaid or partly paid), with no identification of person for whom they are intended, are sent to institutions or persons who may request them to use for exclusively philanthropic purposes. If there is no voluntary request, they are sent to the dead mail office.

(k) An undeliverable letter bearing the return address of a hotel, motel, school, college, or other public institution printed on the envelope as an advertisement is sent to a dead letter branch for disposition unless the return address also includes the name or title of an individual or a printed or written request for return.

(1) Other mail, including first-class and airmail, bearing no return address is sent to a dead letter or dead parcel post branch for final disposition. See § 158.7(b) (1).

(m) Coins should be stripped from undeliverable circulars and their value should be accounted for as Miscellaneous Nonpostal Receipts, A/C 40990.

§ 158.6 Directory service.

Directory service is not generally available, but at carrier offices where a directory is available, directory service is given to registered, certified, insured, COD, special delivery, and special handling mail; to perishable matter and parcels of obvious value; and to international mail, except circulars. Incorrectly or incompletely addressed mail from overseas Armed Forces is given directory service and is not returned to the sender until every effort is made to deliver it. See § 114.5 of this chapter for directory service in connection with natural disasters.

(a) Definition. Dead mail is matter deposited in the mail which is or becomes undeliverable, or is unmailable, and which cannot be returned to the sender.

(b) Treatment—(1) At last office of address. At the end of retention periods specified in § 158.4 mail is declared dead. Dead mail described in § 158.5 (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f) is disposed of locally. First-class letters, first-class parcels, and other articles that have obvious value are forwarded on fixed schedules to dead letter or dead parcel post branches for final disposition.

(2) At dead mail office. (1) Mail is examined and opened when necessary

to find the name and address of the sender or addressee.

(ii) A fee of 10 cents is charged for delivery to sender or addressee of each letter and first-class parcel opened in the dead mail office.

(iii) If the sender or addressee cannot be identified, the following retention periods are observed:

(a) Letters of domestic origin with enclosures of value, 1 year.

(b) Other letters, none.

(c) Letters containing merchandise, and third- and fourth-class mail containing valuables (including first-class mail not in the form of a letter, addressed to another country), 60 days: if posted in violation of law or treaty, 6 months.

(iv) Dead mail that cannot be delivered to addressee or sender is destroyed or sold.

(a) Identified as to obvious value. The sender of third- and fourth-class mail may identify pieces which are considered to be of obvious value and assure their delivery or return by using the "Return Postage Guaranteed or the Forwarding and Return Postage Guaranteed" services provided by §§ 158.2(d) (1), 158.2 (d) (2), and 158.2(e).

(b) Unidentified as to obvious value. When an undeliverable piece does not bear the sender's guarantee to pay forwarding or return postage, its value must be appraised before it is disposed of. Packages containing merchandise or personal property such as photographs, jewelry, or clothing are examples of matter having obvious value. Miscellaneous printed matter such as circulars and articles unsolicited by the addressee such as samples of merchandise are examples of matter which is not of obvious value.

(c) Disposition. When a piece not indorsed as shown in paragraph (a) of this section is determined to be of obvious value, it must not be disposed of as waste, and it must not be sent to dead letter or dead parcel branches if it can be forwarded to the addressee or returned to the sender. If the addressee has guaranteed to pay forwarding postage for matter of obvious value (see § 157.1 (a) (2) of this chapter), the piece will be forwarded. If the piece cannot be forwarded, it will be returned to the sender at the applicable postage rates.

[33 F.R. 12287, Aug. 31, 1968]

(a) New service. Contracts for regular service are awarded after public advertisements, as provided by law. Temporary service may be established on short notice without advertising. Address requests or petitions for new routes to the Director, Transportation Division having supervision over the transportation of mail in the area involved.

(b) Changes and extensions. Changes in line of travel, and extensions of service may be ordered by the Director, Transportation Division at any time. Address requests for changes and extensions to this official.

(c) Changes in schedules. Changes in schedules may be ordered by the Director, Transportation Division at any time. Address requests for changes to this official.

[27 F.R. 6979, July 24, 1962. Redesignated at 31 F.R. 15350, Dec. 8, 1966]

(2) Deliver registered, insured, certified and COD matter.

(3) Accept matter presented by patrons to be registered, insured, certified, or mailed COD, and money with applications for money orders and give receipts.

(b) Availability. All box delivery and collection service is provided without charge to the patron. To qualify for service a patron must:

(1) Reside on or near a route on which box delivery and collection service is required.

(2) Live at least one-fourth mile from a post office.

(3) Provide and erect a suitable box or provide a suitable sack or satchel with post upon which it may be hung. Where a box is newly installed or a present box is being replaced, an approved rural-type box must be used. The name and box number of the owner must be neatly inscribed in letters and numerals not less than 1 inch high on the side of the box visible to the carrier as he approaches, or on the door if boxes are grouped. (See § 156.5 of this chapter.)

(4) Request from the post office to which mail is addressed, delivery and collection service. Star route patrons residing between two post offices may receive mail service from that post office which is the one next preceding the patron's residence, or from either post office if there is a return trip. In addition, the patron may receive delivery from the post office from which the star route originates.

(5) Where necessary advise carrier of signal to be used to indicate that mail is to be collected.

(6) Meet carrier to get receipts for money order, insured, certified, and COD mail, where those services are provided.

(c) Delivery of mail. Mail matter addressed to a qualified patron of a star route will be taken by the carrier from the post office and deposited into the proper mail box. If required by the contract, the carrier will deliver registered, insured, certified, and COD mail. Delivery of this mail will be made only when patron meets the carrier at the box or along the route. Parcel post packages too large to go into mail boxes may be delivered outside of boxes, provided the addressee has filed with the postmaster a written request for delivery in that manner. Otherwise, notice will be left in patron's box to meet

carrier on next trip. If proper delivery cannot be made by carrier, the mail will be held at the post office as described in Part 158 of this chapter.

(d) Collection of mail. Mail matter properly stamped and placed in a mail box for dispatch must be collected by the carrier and deposited in the next post office at which the carrier arrives unless otherwise directed by the Department. Mail collected on the route, addressed for delivery on that part of the route still to be covered before reaching the next post office, will be delivered on the day of collection. The carrier will cancel the stamps before delivery by writing across them the name of the post office last served, the State, the date and the number of the route. Bulky mailable matter, properly prepared and stamped, will be collected by the carrier if placed on or near the mail box. Money left in mail boxes for the purchase of stamps will be at the risk of the patron.

[26 F.R. 11587, Dec. 6, 1961, as amended at 28 F.R. 1508, Feb. 16, 1963. Redesignated at 31 F.R. 15350, Dec. 8, 1966]

§ 159.4 Location of boxes and receptacles.

Mail boxes and approved sacks or satchels must be placed where they protect the mail and may be conveniently served by the carrier without leaving his vehicle. They must be located on the

Value

Postal in

(2) With other insurance. surance liability is limited to a maximum of $1,000. Whenever postal insurance and other insurance both apply to the first $1,000 of value or any part thereof, postal liability is assumed on a co-insurance basis and prorated according to the formula in Part 164 of this chapter.

(3) To Canal Zone. The maximum liability for registered mail addressed to the Canal Zone is $1,000. For values over $1,000, the handling charges apply. [31 F.R. 3120, Feb. 25, 1966, as amended at 31 F.R. 11103, Aug. 20, 1966. Redesignated at 31 F.R. 15350, Dec. 8, 1966.]

(b) Where to mail. Registration may be obtained by presenting mail to:

(1) Post offices and their branches and stations. Postmasters will accept mail of unusually high value only at the main office or the larger branches and stations.

(2) Rural carriers. Mail and cash may be left in a rural box, and the change, if any, will be handed to the sender or placed in an envelope and left in the box on the carrier's next trip. No responsibility is assumed for articles or money until a receipt is issued, or for any change placed in the box.

(3) Nonpersonnel rural station and branches. Patrons must meet the rural carrier at the nonpersonnel rural station or branch to have mail registered.

(c) Registration not available. Mail may not be registered if:

(1) Placed in street letter boxes or in mail drops in post offices.

(2) Addressed to post offices to which it cannot be transported with safety. (3) Not properly prepared. See § 161.7. (4) Two or more articles are tied or fastened together, unless enclosed in the same envelope or wrapper.

[26 F.R. 11587, Dec. 6, 1961, as amended at 27 F.R. 6979, July 24, 1962; 31 F.R. 8236, June 11, 1966. Redesignated at 31 F.R. 15350, Dec. 8, 1966]

Merchandise___

Value to be declared Market value.

No value or replacement cost if postal insurance coverage is desired.

Full value.

Market value or cost.

Market value or cost.

No value, or replacement cost if postal insurance coverage is desired.

(b) Fragile mail. The sender is required to tell the postal clerk whether the mail is fragile and to describe how it is packed if requested to do so.

(c) Official mail. Government agencies or officials must declare the value of the matter presented, so that it may be given proper care.

(d) Free registration. A declaration of value is not required on mail registered free under the provisions of § 161.6 (d) and (e). No indemnity will be paid for any matter registered free.

[26 F.R. 11587, Dec. 6, 1961, as amended at 31 F.R. 5198, Mar. 31, 1966. Redesignated at 31 F.R. 15350, Dec. 8, 1966]

§ 161.5 Additional services and refunds.

(a) COD service. A combined registry and COD service is available. The regular registered mail fees apply plus the collection charge specified in § 161.2(a). The mail must conform with other registered mail requirements and also with Part 163 of this chapter governing preparation for COD service.

(b) Return receipts. The sender may obtain return receipts by paying fees, in addition to the registration fee and postage, under the following conditions;

(1) At the time of mailing by informing the postal clerk or by writing on the mail Return Receipt Requested or Return Receipt Requested Showing Address Where Delivered.

(2) After mailing by request and showing registration receipt at the post office where the registered article was mailed. The return receipt will not show the address where delivery was made.

(3) Return by air. The sender may obtain a return receipt by airmail if postage stamps to cover the postal card airmail rate are fixed to the return receipt and it is endorsed Return by Airmail.

(c) Restricted delivery. The sender may at the time of mailing direct that the registered article be delivered only to the addressee or to someone named by him in writing. This service is available only for articles addressed to natural persons specified by name. An additional fee is required. The mail will be endorsed "Deliver to Addressee Only or Deliver to Addressee or Order." After mailing and before delivery, the sender may direct such action by written order through the mailing postmaster. See also § 161.9 (g).

(d) Refunds. Registration fees will not be refunded after the mail is accepted. Return receipt or restricted de

(a) Official Government mail. Official mail of Government agencies that periodically reimburse the Post Office Department for handling their mail, or that pay for mail services on a negotiated basis, may be registered without stamps affixed. See § 137.2 of this chapter. Postal insurance coverage is provided. See § 164.6(a) of this chapter.

(b) Census mail. All mail relating to the census and addressed to the Census Office, or to any official thereof, that is endorsed "Official Business, Census Office" may be sent by registered mail without payment of a registration fee.

(c) Naturalization mail. All mail relating to naturalization, including duplicate papers required to be sent to the Immigration and Naturalization Service by clerks of State or Federal courts addressed to the Department of Justice or to the Immigration and Naturalization Service, may be sent by registered mail without payment of a registration fee, if endorsed Official Business.

(d) Diplomatic mail. Members of the diplomatic corps of the countries of the Postal Union of the Americas and Spain who are stationed in the United States may send correspondence by registered mail without payment of the registration fee. See § 137.5(a) of this chapter for preparation of such mail.

mail. (e) Consular Official correspondence may be sent by registered mail between consulates (consuls and vice consuls) of the countries of the Postal Union of the Americas and Spain stationed in the United States and by such consulates to the Government of the United States or to their respective embassies or legations without payment of the registration fee. See § 137.5(b) of this chapter for preparation of such mail.

(f) Currency for redemption. Currency sent to the Treasurer of the United States, Washington, D.C., for redemption, contained in letters or parcels with