LetterAgent
Mail physical letters by just asking your AI assistant.
Home > Guides > Mailbox ownership
You do. You bought the box and you maintain it, but federal law reserves it for USPS mail delivered by authorized personnel. Only the carrier may place things inside: a neighbor's note, a flyer, or even a hand-delivered stamped letter all violate the mailbox restriction. You may only use the box for outgoing mail the carrier picks up.
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Who bought the mailbox? | You did; homeowners purchase and maintain their own boxes |
| Who can put things in it? | Only USPS carriers placing mail with postage paid; that is the mailbox restriction |
| Can a neighbor drop off a note? | No, not even with a stamp on it |
| Can a business leave a flyer inside? | No; flyers go on the door, under the doormat, or in a newspaper tube |
| Can I put my own outgoing mail in it? | Yes, with the flag raised for the carrier to collect |
| What happens to unauthorized items? | The carrier may remove them; the person who placed them can face fines |
That is exactly the arrangement. Ownership covers the hardware: you buy an approved box, install it at the right height and distance from the curb, and keep it in repair. Federal law then attaches a dedicated-use rule to that box: it exists for the receipt of USPS mail and for outgoing mail the carrier collects. The rule is why private carriers like UPS and FedEx leave packages at your door instead of in your mailbox. Your ownership of the metal does not buy you the right to open it up as a general drop slot.
The red flag is the carrier's signal, not decoration. Flag up means you have outgoing mail inside for the carrier to collect. Flag down means there is nothing for pickup. A flag that is broken off or stuck does not just look bad: it removes the only way to signal the carrier, and outgoing mail may sit uncollected. You are responsible for keeping the flag working, the approach to the box clear of snow and parked cars, and the box itself large enough for the mail you receive.
Canada works a little differently. The large community mailboxes in newer neighborhoods are Canada Post property, not yours, and only Canada Post may place items in the individual compartments. Rural roadside boxes resemble the US model: you own the box, but mail delivery rules still reserve its use for postal purposes. In both countries, tampering with or opening someone else's mailbox is a federal offense, so the core protection is the same even though the hardware ownership differs.
Ready to mail it? Send your letter with LetterAgent: describe it to your AI assistant, approve the exact quoted price, and it is printed and mailed.
LetterAgent is a working name. Prices include print, postage, and our service fee. US prices in USD, Canadian prices in CAD (Canadian prices exclude applicable sales tax, added at checkout). Currently in private testing.
Need help? Ask your assistant: it can check a job's status any time. If it ever can't handle something: hello@getletteragent.com