Is it illegal to put flyer type business cards in people's mailboxes?

"In 1934, Congress enacted a law known as the “mailbox restriction” that prohibits anyone from placing mailable matter without postage into any mailbox. This law, 18 U.S.C. 1725, gives the Postal Service a virtual monopoly over mailboxes and currently reads as follows:

“Whoever knowingly and willfully deposits any mailable matter such as statements of accounts, circulars, sale bills, or other like matter, on which no postage has been paid, in any letter box established, approved, or accepted by the Postal Service for the receipt or delivery of mail matter on any mail route with intent to avoid payment of lawful postage thereon, shall for each such offense be fined under this title.”

Under current law, a violation of the mailbox restriction law is an
infraction that can be punished by a fine but not by imprisonment. The maximum fine for each offense is $5,000 for individuals and $10,000 for organizations."
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I suggest hitting a local mall or shopping center and do the old windshield wiper tag i believe it is legal to do so in most places.

Inside the mailbox- YES illegal.
You may have restrictions in your area about placing on the outside of the box as well. Talk to your local Post office to make sure you are following the correct laws.. they will be happy to tell you.

I'm going to google it quick see what I find about outside the mailbox.

Isn't there something where you can take fliers to your post office and pay to have them distributed?

Just as a follow up, while it is not illegal to put flyers in the newspaper receptacle attached to a mailbox, it IS a waste of time and money. Have distributed thousands that way. They get zero response.

Now door hangers are another story. I've had pretty good response with those.

EDDM is still the cheapest, most reliable way to go.

Originally Posted by Kochy

What does EDDM Stand for? Lol Sorry I'm still learning. So I can put the fliers in the newspaper receptacle?

EDDM stands for every door direct mail, a service offered by the post office.

Yes, you CAN put them in the newspaper receptacle. Please re-read what I wrote. I GET that you don't want to spend money. I am trying to save you from wasting time AND money. I am telling you; zero results in paper receptacles.

through usps direct mail program you can

My ex-partner tried something similar with a doggie-poo business he tried to get started. What they ended up doing was taking the flier and rolling it up and using a rubber band and fastened it to the handle of the door or the flag arm of the mailbox. As long as it's on the outside of the box I don't think they can say anything.

Originally Posted by BurlyGuys

Now door hangers are another story. I've had pretty good response with those.

Just be careful with areas that do not tolerate door to door soliciting. Our townhouse community doesn't tolerate it, but then again, there is no way to enforce it either lol.

It is illegal to put anything in or on a mailbox that doesnt have a stamp on it. So hanging a flyer on the flag is also breaking the postal law.

You're talking about attaching/painting advertising to the trailer? Check your state laws.