Transportation by vessel under informal arrangements

§ 6409. Transportation by vessel under informal arrangements (a) The Postmaster General without advertising may provide for the transportation of mail by vessel between— (1) the United States, its possessions, the Territory of Hawaii, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and a foreign port; (2) the United States and its possessions, its Armed Forces abroad, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; or (3) any possession or the Armed Forces of the United States, or the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and any other possession or Armed Forces of the United States. (b) The Postmaster General for transportation obtained under this section by a— (1) vessel of United States registry, may pay compensation not to exceed eighty cents a pound for letters, post cards and postal cards, and eight cents a pound for other articles: and (2) vessel of foreign registry, may pay compensation not to exceed the sea transit rates fixed from time to time by the Universal Postal Union Convention.