---
kind: "range"
citation: "39 U.S.C. §§ 3403–3406"
title: "39"
from: "3403"
to: "3406"
count: 4
release: "119-102"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/39/3403..3406"
---

# §3403. Matter for blind and other handicapped persons

- (a) The matter described in [subsection (b)](#b) of this section (other than matter mailed under [section 3404 of this title](/usc/39/3404.md)) may be mailed free of postage, if—
  - (1) the matter is for the use of the blind or other persons who cannot use or read conventionally printed material because of a physical impairment and who are certified by competent authority as unable to read normal reading material in accordance with the provisions of sections [135a](/usc/2/135a.md) and [135b](/usc/2/135b.md) of title 2;
  - (2) no charge, or rental, subscription, or other fee, is required for such matter or a charge, or rental, subscription, or other fee is required for such matter not in excess of the cost thereof;
  - (3) the matter may be opened by the [Postal Service](/usc/39/102.md?p=1) for inspection; and
  - (4) the matter contains no advertising.
- (b) The free mailing privilege provided by [subsection (a)](#a) of this section is extended to—
  - (1) reading matter and musical scores;
  - (2) sound reproductions;
  - (3) paper, records, tapes, and other material for the production of reading matter, musical scores, or sound reproductions;
  - (4) reproducers or parts thereof, for sound reproductions; and
  - (5) braille writers, typewriters, educational or other materials or devices, or parts thereof, used for writing by, or specifically designed or adapted for use of, a blind person or a person having a physical impairment as described in [subsection (a)(1)](#a-1) of this section.

# §3404. Unsealed letters sent by blind or physically handicapped persons


Unsealed letters sent by a blind person or a person having a physical impairment, as described in [section 3403(a)(1) of this title](/usc/39/3403.md?p=a-1), in raised characters or sightsaving type, or in the form of sound recordings, may be mailed free of postage.


# §3405. Markings


All matter relating to blind or other handicapped persons mailed under section [3403](/usc/39/3403.md) or [3404](/usc/39/3404.md) of this title, shall bear the words “Free Matter for the Blind or Handicapped”, or words to that effect specified by the [Postal Service](/usc/39/102.md?p=1), in the upper right-hand corner of the address area.


# §3406. Balloting materials under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act

- (a) [Balloting materials](#b) under the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (individually or in bulk)—
  - (1) shall be carried expeditiously and free of postage; and
  - (2) may be mailed at a post office established outside the United States under [section 406 of this title](/usc/39/406.md), unless such mailing is prohibited by treaty or other international agreement of the United States.
- (b) As used in this section, the term “balloting materials” has the meaning given that term in section 107 of the Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act.