Is It Really Illegal for Maine Residents to Tip Postal Workers?

Is it against the law to tip your mail carrier or postal workers?  Yes...sorta.  It really all depends on how you plan to show your gratitude for their hard work over the last 12 months.

It's the holidays!  A time for celebrations with family and friends accompanied by lots of gift giving.  Sometimes, these gifts include tips for your regular service people like your landscaper, stylist, or mail carrier.

These days, because we have relied so heavily on things being delivered to our homes over the last few years, you probably think your UPS, Fedex, and US Postal Service employees are some of the most deserving of a tip/bonus this year.

If you're going to give a gift to your United States Postal Service mail carrier, keep in mind that there are some strict regulations about what it can (and cannot) be.  Mail carriers are not allowed to accept gifts in the form of cash or a gift card.  You can (if you choose) give them a small (cheap) gift that has a value of $20 or less.

According to the USPS website,

All postal employees, including carriers, must comply with the Standards of Ethical Conduct for Employees of the Exec­utive Branch. Under these federal regulations, carriers are permitted to accept a gift worth $20 or less from a customer per occasion, such as Christmas. However, cash and cash equivalents, such as checks or gift cards that can be exchanged for cash, must never be accepted in any amount.

You also want to keep in mind that the annual total value of those gifts cannot exceed $50.

So, who do you feel it is important to tip at the holidays?  Leave a comment on our Facebook page or send us a message through the app