Mail

"Snail Mail" redirects here; for other uses see: Snail Mail

The mail or post is a system for physically transporting postcards, letters, and parcels. A postal service can be private or public, though many governments place restrictions on private systems. Since the mid-19th century, national postal systems have generally been established as a government monopoly, with a fee on the article prepaid. Proof of payment is usually in the form of an adhesive postage stamp, but a postage meter is also used for bulk mailing. Modern private postal systems are distinguished from national postal agencies by the terms "courier" or "delivery service".

Postal authorities often have functions aside from transporting letters. In some countries, a postal, telegraph and telephone service oversees the postal system, in addition to telephone and telegraph systems.