Prohibitory Order - Process

Process

1. Mailpiece received
   • Addressee receives mailpiece
   • Mailpiece must be an offer to sell something, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. § 3008(a)
   • Recipient must believe the offer is "erotically arousing or sexually provocative," pursuant to 39 U.S.C. § 3008(a). Recipient may declare any offer "erotically arousing or sexually provocative" without explanation, pursuant to Rowan v. Post Office Dept.
2. Order application
   • Recipient prepares a prohibitory order application (Form 1500)
   • Recipient mails application, mailpiece, and envelope to: Attn: Prohibitory Order Processing; Pricing & Classification Service Ctr.; U.S. Postal Service; P.O. Box 1500; New York, NY 10008-1500
3. Order issued
   • USPS issues prohibitory order (Form 2152) to sender, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. § 3008(b). Each order is assigned a unique "order number."
   • USPS notifies requester and includes copy of order
4. Order violation
   • Recipient writes "I received this on DATE." and signs below on the mailpiece
   • Recipient writes "I received this on DATE." and signs below on the envelope
   • Recipient forwards copy of the original order, signed mailpiece, and signed envelope to: Attn: Prohibitory Order Processing; Pricing & Classification Service Ctr.; U.S. Postal Service; P.O. Box 1500; New York, NY 10008-1500
5. Complaint served
   • USPS serves complaint (Form 2153) upon sender, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. § 3008(d). Each case is assigned a unique "docket number."
   • USPS notifies requester and includes copy of complaint
6. Hearing possible
   • Sender may elect hearing, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. § 3008(d)
   • If elected, a hearing is conducted in accord with 39 C.F.R. § 963
7. Enforcement
   • USPS asks attorney general to ask a federal district court to enforce the order, pursuant to 39 U.S.C. § 3008(d)