Postal Service Reform: Issues Relevant to Changing Restrictions on Private Letter Delivery

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO reviewed the restrictions in federal, civil, and criminal law on private letter delivery, focusing on: (1) the Postal Service's experience in administering and enforcing the private express statutes since 1970; (2) the growth and development of private message and package delivery companies since 1970; (3) the possible effects of changing private letter delivery restrictions on the Service's mail volume, revenues, costs, and postal rates; and (4) other countries' postal reform efforts, particularly regarding private letter delivery.