How to package a book through media mail bizfluent. Media mail only allows you to ship books, computerreadable. However, there are few restrictions on the type of media that can be shipped. Shipping 30 lbs of textbooks via usps media mail how to.
There are many restrictions on exactly which items qualify for media mail shipping. Save money mailing books through the post office clever. Media mail is a costeffective way to send media and educational materials. Media mail is a special shipping rate the united states postal service offers when you as a private citizen want to send educational materials.
We had one professor or college student send multiple very large boxes and a large duffel bag almost like a hockey equipment bag as media mail. Media mail is a costeffective way to send non time sensitive media materials through the u. The only comparable service to media mail for international shipping is an m bag. Postal service allows you to send books, dvds, cds, printed music, and sound recordings through media mail at a discounted rate. What is difference between book rate and media mail. Each box contains a hodgepodge of hardback and paperback books. The book rate and media mail are both provided to consumers and business owners as inexpensive ways to send a variety of media items. Usps medi mail is one such costeffective service which is used to send educational materials. I didnt have 2 of packing materials on all sides, i just made sure everything was packed tightly so that the books couldnt move and then added newspaper to fill any gaps. If you send books or cds through the mail as a textbook seller, artist or publisher, you ought to familiarize yourself with media mail, a service from the united states postal service. I know that media mail is not a moneymaker for the post office, so they try hard to hide the. May 06, 2018 we will ship this using 28 day usps media mail shipping. If its not imperative that your books arrive quickly, the cheapest way to mail books is by sending them media mail through the u.
This service has restrictions on the type of media that can be sent. Nov 30, 2017 media mail is a costeffective way to send materials such as books, cards, calendars, journals, dvds, and cds through the u. I use ebay s labeling system, package up the item, and take it the po for dispatch. You are certainly not violating the spirit of the law by shipping comic books via media mail. For each additional pound, add 52 cents to your total. I make sure i list that it will be sent media mail though, so the buyer cant complain about the shipping time. People who need to send media items can make use of this service. Playscripts and manuscripts for books, periodicals, and music. Lastly, does usps media mail allow a sticker gift tag to. The following materials can be shipped at the discounted media mail rate. Plus, you can schedule a usps pickup from your home or office. Media mail is a costeffective way to send materials such as books, cards, calendars, journals, dvds, and cds through the u.
Read the sections below to get a complete understanding of media mail. Can comics be shipped through the usps as media ra. Dec 12, 2007 for media mail, i find it easiest to go to the desk, hand the package to the clerk, and just say its a textbook that id like to send media mail. Available for sending small and large packages containing books, film, manuscripts, sound recordings, video tapes, and computer media such. If a customer wants to send the materials like books, films, dvds, videotapes, recorded media, cds, music tracks, and other sound recording things, they can send it through the media mail. Media mail is the cheapest shipping service available for mailing items like books, videos, and music. Media mail cant be used to send any media that contains advertisements. So i sell a cassette collection via bin to a buyer in hawaii over the 4th of july weekend. Choose a shipping service based on postage rates, included tracking and insurance, delivery times, the records youd like to keep, and whether you would like to use free postal shipping envelopes and boxes. Media mail and library mail are not sealed against postal inspection. The shipping container must weigh less than 70 lbs 32 kg to qualify for media mail. This rule is a little fuzzy, however, because incidental mentions of other media within a piece of media are considered okay, as long as it isnt a. The pros and cons of using media mail vervante blog.
The types of media allowed are limited, though, and by following this. The types of media allowed are limited, though, and by following this guide you will know what you can and cannot send through. This service has certain rules and restrictions, however, including a maximum weight of 70 pounds and can only contain educational media. Only these items may be mailed at the media mail prices. First class mail international can weigh up to 4 pounds. Volunteers should send shipments via media mail rate. Understanding the media mail classification newsletter. However, i have twice heard post office clerks tell me that they have seen shipments of books to go via media mail in the back of the post office, that were not sent from the counter. May 28, 2008 media mail is not just booksits any form of media. How to make your own book mailers to ship books you sell on ebay or amazon for free duration. You can send books, videotapes, dvds, cds, printed music and other sound recordings through media mail as long as they weigh less than 70 pounds.
How to use media mail materials that can be sent through media mail include books, sound and video recordings, scripts, manuscripts, sheet music, educational reference charts and more. Books, including books issued to supplement other books, of at least eight printed pages, consisting wholly of reading matter or scholarly bibliography, or reading matter with incidental blank spaces for notations and. For media mail, i find it easiest to go to the desk, hand the package to the clerk, and just say its a textbook that id like to send media mail. Books at least 8 pages 16millimeter or narrower width films. Magazines cannot be sent via media mail because they contain advertising. Although you wont pay as much to send these items via media mail, they can take longer to get to their. Almost all comics contain advertising and therefore cannot be shipped media mail. It is an affordable method to send these media materials to the desired destination. Apr 26, 2017 if you send books or cds through the mail as a textbook seller, artist or publisher, you ought to familiarize yourself with media mail, a service from the united states postal service. Even though books are heavy and bulky, sending them long distance to friends as a gift, or to yourself when moving, does not have to be expensive.
Can you use usps media mail to mail books from us to. When using a box to mail books, use an appropriate size and insert packing peanuts, bubble wrap or shipping paper to fill any leftover space. Media mail is a costeffective way to send media materials through the u. Media mail is a costeffective way to ship heavier books. If so, does usps media mail allow the use of ribbon to tie together two books that are wrapped in holiday wrapping paper.
Media mail is just thata class where you can ship many of your media items ex. The prohibition against advertising was to prevent all new periodicals not just comics, but time, us, newsweek, etc, which are distributed via second class special commercial rates, from using the media mail service. The cost of sending media mail is determined by your packages weight. This service has restrictions on the type of media that can be shipped.
Word of warning on media mail shipping comics general cgc. How nitpicky is the post office with regards to media mail. Usps media mail regulations comics general cgc comic. The united states postal service offers substantial shipping discounts for materials sent at media mail rates. Contents are limited to books, manuscripts, sound recordings, and certain other educational materials. Books and educational material can be sent with a 2 to 8day delivery at a highly competitive rate. Media mail is a lowcost mailing service offered by the united states postal service, or usps.
Thats how i mail stuff like used dvds via ebay every time. However, there are few restrictions on the type of mail items that can be shipped restrictions will be discussed later. Media mail shipping is a costeffective way to send educational materials. If you send a book in a media mail envelope, you might put a cardboard insert on both sides of the book. Each has its own set of rules for size, weight and package content. The cheapest postal rate is the media mail rate which may be used only for books, including graphic novels, trade paperbacks and hardbacks. Mar 04, 2010 how nitpicky is the post office with regards to media mail. It usually costs less than first class mail if you are sending large items. Can i use usps media mail to ship a book that is gift wrapped wrapped in holiday wrapping paper. When you go to a post office, you can refer to either name, and the postal worker will understand which type of mail you are asking for. Media mail is a lowcost method of sending various types of printed and recorded media such as pamphlets, tapes, dvds and books through the mail. Items that contain advertising do not qualify for media mail.
Each media mail and library mail piece must bear a delivery address and the senders return address formatted and placed according to 202. Media mail is provided by the united states postal service. You might want to use media mail if you sell books online or. Formerly called book rate, media mail cannot contain advertising, except eligible books may contain incidental announcements of books. Books, cds, dvds, cassettes,vinyl records and the like can be shipped media mail. Usps media mail service restrictions, cost, pros vs cons. Usps do not offer media mail internationally, only for domestic postage. Jun 18, 2014 about two months ago i had occasion to mail four boxes of books and magazines across the united states, and much to my surprise a box that contains mostly books but a few magazines does not qualify for the book rate media mail rate at least acco.
We will ship this using 28 day usps media mail shipping. The predictable result, especially during an economic downturn, is that retailers and the general public often try to send non media items in packages at media mail rates. Media printed music, sound recordings, periodicals, cds, dvds, and books. Media mail service has special eligibility requirements for permissible contents. Media mail is a service provided by the united states postal service usps that allows customers to send a variety of mixed media through the mail at a cheaper rate than ordinary packages. Mar 19, 2020 media mail cant be used to send any media that contains advertisements. Ultimate ebay media mail shipping how to guide youtube. How does the post office confirm that media mail is actually media mail.
Ive never done more than a 22 lb box of books via usps media mail and it was fine. Sound recordings and video recordings, such as cds and dvds. Word of warning on media mail shipping comics general. We recommend you use a flatrate priority mail box to send magazines. Yepmagazines, catalogs, books, dvds, computer games, etc. Beware of using usps media mail to send booksrecordings. The clerk will calculate the postage, mark the package with a stamper to say media and thats it. Cheapest way to mail books, cds and more clark howard. Read this article to know more about this service, like what is media mail shipping and how media mail works. Jul 25, 20 ive never done more than a 22 lb box of books via usps media mail and it was fine. It probably would have gone through fine if not for the duffel bag, it was quite obvious it wasnt books in there.
It allows you to get a discounted postage rate on certain items. Usps media mail service rules, rates, tracking, calculator. Current administrative policy provides for the mailing of fillin type selfhelp textbooks at media mail prices. Media mail usps retail rate table shippingeasy support center. Media mail usps retail rate table shippingeasy support. Buyer had the option to have it sent with expedited shipping but declined, so it was sent standard via media mail. Media mail was intended to be a cheap, slow shipping method to move educational material, not just books. This rule is a little fuzzy, however, because incidental mentions of other media within a piece of media are considered okay, as long as it isnt a part of overt advertising for the purpose of selling the media mentioned. The usps has become more aware of people shipping non media items like dishes, clothing, etc. When i emailed usps, they said i cannot use click n ship to ship books via media mail. In the current issue of american philatelist, wayne youngblood, a directoratlarge of the american philatelic. We have explained the media mail by answering the following queries. The usps has become more aware of people shipping nonmedia items like dishes, clothing, etc.
If youre sending only one book, that is not a good idea because the minimum charge for m bag is for 11 pounds. If you have more than that, then priority mail international is your next option. Your options for media mail packaging include flat cardboard envelopes, padded envelopes and boxes. Media mail is a cost effective service for shipping books and education material. Is it possible to ship books via media mail from home. How do you use the usps media mail shipping service. You can send books, dvds, cds, videotapes etc through media mail. But, in order to avoid being charged with mail fraud, be sure you understand exactly what media mail is, and when you can and cannot use it. Software, magazines with ads, games and the like are generally not eligible for media mail although under certain circumstances may be eligible for library mail but that in itself is a category of mail that no one at the usps can fully agree with what is allowed and what isnt. Jan 23, 2020 ask for a discounted price for shipping books. Usps media mail overview shippingeasy support center.
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