{"id":384,"date":"2022-05-07T16:35:20","date_gmt":"2022-05-07T16:35:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/packagepatrols.com\/?p=384"},"modified":"2022-05-08T07:43:20","modified_gmt":"2022-05-08T07:43:20","slug":"does-usps-scan-x-ray-packages","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/packagepatrols.com\/index.php\/usps-ups\/does-usps-scan-x-ray-packages\/","title":{"rendered":"Does USPS Scan\/X-Ray Packages?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The USPS delivers millions of packages each and every year. Some travel thousands of miles to reach their destination. Along the way to their destination, does the USPS scan or x-ray packages?<\/p>\n

Yes – packages are randomly selected to be scanned and x-rayed for security reasons. If your package is traveling to or through a city, it\u2019s likely it will be scanned. To avoid getting in trouble, make sure that the item you want to mail doesn’t violate the USPS rules.<\/strong><\/p>\n

The USPS scans packages to protect their workers and people receiving packages. But their rules regarding when and why they search a package can be confusing! In this article, I\u2019ll cover how and why a package may be scanned by the USPS.<\/p>\n

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Can The USPS See What\u2019s In Your Package?\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

In most circumstances, the USPS will not see what is in your package. There are laws in place that protect citizens from the USPS poking around in their mail.<\/p>\n

The USPS does not want to infringe upon your privacy, and usually has little reason to.<\/p>\n

However, under certain circumstances, a Postal Inspector may have the legal authority to look inside your mail.<\/p>\n

But what gives them the authority to do so? And how does the law protect your privacy?<\/p>\n

Can The USPS Look Through Your Packages?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Under the Fourth Amendment of the United States Constitution, people are protected from illegal search and seizures of their persons and their property, including packages you ship in the mail.<\/p>\n

You have a right to this privacy. However, there are a few caveats to keep in mind.<\/p>\n

First, not all mail is protected by the fourth amendment. First class letters and parcels cannot be searched without a warrant.<\/p>\n

However, all other classes of mail can be searched because they are not considered \u201cprivate correspondence\u201d by the U.S. Postal Inspection Service.<\/p>\n

Second, mail is randomly scanned and x-rayed by inspectors for security reasons.<\/p>\n

This helps investigators catch hazardous and illegal items to prevent them from being transported.<\/p>\n

Packages are more likely to be scanned if they are entering a highly populated area, like a city.<\/p>\n

Finally, these x-rays can be used as probable cause to open your package.<\/p>\n

If a Postal Inspector has suspicions of the contents of your package, they can obtain a search warrant from a judge to open your mail.<\/p>\n

How Long Does It Take For USPS to Scan Packages?\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The USPS regularly scans packages, and will often scan a package multiple times on route to its destination.<\/p>\n

This allows users to track their packages nearly in real-time.<\/p>\n

On average, you can expect your package to be scanned within twenty-four hours.<\/p>\n

If you are tracking your package, it may take a few days before you can see its movement.<\/p>\n

Does the USPS Scan Packages For Drugs?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

As stated earlier, the USPS randomly scans packages for security reasons.<\/p>\n

This includes scanning packages to intercept illegal drug trafficking.<\/p>\n

Under current law, it is illegal to transport drugs via the mail. Transporting illegal drugs like marijuana and cocaine is a felony.<\/p>\n

Postal Inspectors are highly trained to spot packages with illegal items in them. Don\u2019t do it – you\u2019re going to get caught!<\/p>\n

But here\u2019s something most people don\u2019t know: it\u2019s also illegal to transport legal<\/em> drugs!<\/p>\n

You need a license to mail prescription drugs. It is a felony to do so without it.<\/p>\n

Most medical providers have this license, which is why you can get prescriptions in the mail but can\u2019t mail them to a friend!<\/p>\n

While the USPS can\u2019t catch everything, they\u2019re pretty good at what they do!<\/p>\n

According to an internal audit<\/a><\/strong><\/span>, the USPS intercepted over 60,000 pieces of mail containing more than 140,000 pounds of illicit drugs over 2018 and 2019.<\/p>\n

The USPS is able to intercept so many packages thanks to random scans and their highly trained staff.<\/p>\n

Inspectors are skilled at identifying suspicious packages, and there are a few characteristics they are looking for.<\/p>\n

What Makes a Package Suspicious to the USPS?<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There are a number of things that could raise red flags for the USPS. Here\u2019s a list of suspicious mail characteristics:<\/p>\n