Postal Service Amendments of 1981

Mail Order Consumer Protection Amendments of 1982 - Authorizes the United States Postal Service to issue written demands requiring access to books, records, documents, or other objects believed to relate to any postal offense or civil matter under investigation by the Postal Service, excluding matters pertaining to the private carriage of letters. Provides for the enforcement of such a demand by the appropriate district court.

Authorizes the Postal Service to issue an order requiring any person to cease and desist from conducting a lottery or scheme for obtaining money or property by false representations through the mail. Declares that the resumption of such an activity through the use of any instrumentality of interstate commerce shall be considered to be a failure to comply with such order. Permits the Postal Service, in investigating whether a person is conducting such an activity, to tender the price of any article or service that such person has offered for sale. Declares that the unreasonable failure by such person to provide the article or service or the unreasonable refusal by a person to comply with a written demand of the Postal Service for access to materials, as determined by a U.S. district court, shall constitute probable cause to believe such person is engaged in such an activity, warranting the detention of such person's incoming mail.

Directs the Postal Service, after providing notice and an opportunity for public comment, to issue regulations governing its investigative authority under this Act.

Establishes a civil penalty to be assessed against any person who: (1) attempts to evade an order directing a postmaster to return mail addressed to such person; (2) fails to comply with a cease and desist order; or (3) assists another person in evading such an order. Authorizes the Postal Service to commence a civil action in the appropriate U.S. district court to enforce such a penalty.

Directs the Postal Service to submit to specified congressional committees an annual statement on its investigative activities.