I go over how to use media mail for your ebay sales, the rules for what you can and cannot send, and what type of packaging you can use for usps media mail. 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. The shipping container must weigh less than 70 lbs 32 kg to qualify for media mail. Media mail rates can be 50% lower than priority mail media mail. Understanding the media mail classification newsletter. This service does come with certain restrictions on the type of media mail that can be sent. 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. Media mail is a costeffective option for those who send books, recorded music and other media materials in bulk through the u. I wont use media mail unless its an actual hardcoversoftcover book.
Many other postal services also offer a discounted price for shipping books. An expensive change at usps for ebay and online sellers. Using media mail is easy, but there are a few tricks and precautions that you should be aware of. Save money mailing books through the post office clever. Contents are limited to books, manuscripts, sound recordings, and certain other educational materials. You can send books, dvds, cds, videotapes etc through media mail. Is there anyone with a ruling from the usps to ship jigsaw puzzles via media or book rate. Media mail is a costeffective way to send media materials through the u. Do you use media mail even though you re not really sending media i buy all my shipping through etsy and they suggest media mail even though im selling vintage stuff. The pros and cons of using media mail vervante blog. Usps media mail is the most costeffective way to send items such as books. It can be tempting to ship a board game via media mail because of the reduced. Media mail is a usps mail class restricted to the delivery of books, film, audio and other recorded media.
If you wish to send your package media mail, you cannot include any. The conclusion is that you can send only the limited items through media mail service. I have actually had mail arrive with postage due because of some seller sending me books via media mail. 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. Play scripts and manuscripts for books, periodicals, and music. Media mail can t be used to send any media that contains advertisements. 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. 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. Books at least 8 pages 16millimeter or narrower width films. 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. 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 packages may not contain advertising except that books may contain incidental announcements of other books and sound recordings may contain incidental announcements of other sound recordings.
Postal service has got you covered with their media mail program. The usps limits media mail to books, cds, periodicals not magazines with ads and music any of these can be educational pencils, erasers, rulers, essay paper, art paper, etc. Yes, you can ship comic books via media mail without anyone ever opening the package and confiscating them. Dec 15, 2005 yes, you can ship comic books via media mail without anyone ever opening the package and confiscating them.
Media mail is a moneylosing proposition for the usps. Items that contain advertising do not qualify for media mail. Either one envelope or one addressed postcard may be bound into the pages of a book. The customer can be charged the difference if the post office opens and inspects the contents of the package. Usps media mail overview shippingeasy support center. Do you use media mail even though youre not really. If a buyer has a problem with that then he can go buy from someone who is not so trustworthy. You may have heard people saying they regularly send board games via. How nitpicky is the post office with regards to media mail. Almost all comics contain advertising and therefore cannot be shipped media mail. 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. Media mail is the cheapest way to ship books, vinyl records, or other music with the united states postal service. Offered through the usps, media mail allows you to inexpensively ship educational materials from your local post office.
May 28, 2008 you can also print postage online, through the usps website priority and express only using a credit card or through paypal all types of mail including media mail using your paypal account. Books, cds, dvds, cassettes,vinyl records and the like can be shipped media mail. This service has restrictions on the type of media that can be sent. Playscripts and manuscripts for books, periodicals, and music. Media mail book rate description used for books, film, manuscripts, printed music, printed test materials, sound recordings, play scripts, printed educational charts, looseleaf pages and binders consisting of medical information, videotapes, and computer recorded media such as cdroms and diskettes. Choose a shipping service based on postage rates, included tracking and insurance, delivery times, the records you d like to keep, and whether you would like to use free postal shipping envelopes and boxes. Media mail service has special eligibility requirements for permissible contents. Mar 19, 2020 media mail can t be used to send any media that contains advertisements. They may ask you whats in it, but its really simple as that. When it comes to shipping books, dvds and other media, nothing beats u.
One order form may be bound into the pages of a book. Your description is incomplete, here is the full description. Crossword puzzles, pattern books, poster books, ironon transfer books, and cutout books which do not consist of reading matter as well as publications containing advertising are not acceptable in the mails at the media mail rate of postage. Sep 15, 2016 the customer can be charged the difference if the post office opens and inspects the contents of the package. How do you use the usps media mail shipping service. 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 rate is the least expensive rate at which to send books. What is difference between book rate and media mail.
Then you can drop it in any blue mailbox or leave it at your mailbox for your carrier to pick up. Media mail cant be used to send any media that contains advertisements. Sound recordings and video recordings, such as cds and dvds. Usps media mail is the most costeffective way to send items such as books, vinyl. How to package a book through media mail bizfluent. Media mail is intended for libraries to ship books and sound recordings to one another. Ive only had the post office question me once but i am just curious if others are doing this as well.
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. Now that im here, ive decided which books to keep and which to sell, but ive discovered the rather annoying fact that canada does not have an equivalent. Aug 07, 2018 media mail is a costeffective or affordable way to send medial and educational related materials. Can i use usps media mail to ship a book that is gift wrapped wrapped in holiday wrapping paper.
It is an affordable method to send these media materials to the desired destination. Nov 30, 2017 media mail is a costeffective way to send materials such as books, cards, calendars, journals, dvds, and cds through the u. Media mail is used for books, film, manuscripts, printed music, printed test materials, sound recordings, play scripts, printed educational charts, looseleaf pages and binders consisting of medical information, videotapes, and computerrecorded media. 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. However, usps does not allow the package to contain anything besides the qualifying media products theyve defined, and they reserve the right to inspect packages to ensure they only contain qualifying media mail items. Is it possible to ship books via media mail from home. If you find the weight of your package less than 8 ounces, then you will not have to shell out more money to send your item. Media mail rates are limited to the items listed below. How to use media mail offered through the usps, media mail allows you to inexpensively ship educational materials from your local post office. Only these items may be mailed at the media mail prices. All other items have to be shipped either first class, first class package, or priority mail. Media mail is for shipping media items containing books, sound. Media mail only allows you to ship books, computerreadable media, sound.
Ive recently moved from vermont to edmonton and lugged quite a few books along with me since i didnt have time to sort through them before moving. There are many restrictions on exactly which items qualify for media mail shipping. 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. If youre trying to sell a used book or participate in a paperback swap, you probably dont want to spend a fortune on shipping. Lastly, does usps media mail allow a sticker gift tag to. Usps media mail tracking allows users to check the status of media mail. It usually costs less than first class mail if you are sending large items. If you send a book in a media mail envelope, you might put a cardboard insert on both sides of the book. Usps media mail service restrictions, cost, pros vs cons. This service has certain rules and restrictions, however, including a maximum weight of 70 pounds and can only contain educational media. 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. You might want to use media mail if you sell books online or swap cds or dvds.
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. The mail class is also known as book rate among book sellers. If you print the paperbackswap wrapper, media mail will print automatically. You can ship media mail by just labeling the package media mail and putting the right amount of postage on it. The types of media allowed are limited, though, and by following this guide you will know what you can and cannot send. Media mail shipping is a costeffective way to send educational materials. The problem as i understand it is the wording at usps. 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. The official list of what can be shipped media mail. Media mail is a cost effective service for shipping books and education material. 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.
You can then insert any packing slip and seal the package for mailing. The book rate and media mail are both provided to consumers and business owners as inexpensive ways to send a variety of media items. Visit to track your media mail, make sure you have a tracking number, only then you will be able to track your mail item, else not. Media mail is a costeffective way to send media and educational materials. The cheapest postal rate is the media mail rate which may be used only for books, including graphic novels, trade paperbacks and hardbacks. Use clicknship to pay for postage and print a shipping label from your printer. You can send the same by using the usps firstclass mail. Books and educational material can be sent with a 2 to 8day delivery at a highly competitive rate. Media mail is a costeffective way to ship heavier books. Mar 04, 2010 one of the most important things is to not have any actual correspondence in it. Usps medi mail is one such costeffective service which is used to send educational materials. However, there are few restrictions on the type of mail items that can be shipped restrictions will be discussed later. Media mail is the perfect affordable option for sending books, cds, and dvds through the united states.
Use media mail for what is allowed and the rest can go first class, parcel post, priority, etc. When you box the books up or put them in a padded envelope, simply take it to the post office and tell them you want to ship it media mail. In the past, some shop manuals and auto repair manuals were not accepted at the media mail price. This costefficient shipping class allows you to send pounds of media for a fraction of the cost, which can save your small business money. Media mail is a costeffective way to send non time sensitive media materials through the u. We have explained the media mail by answering the following queries.
Enclosures in books mailed at media mail prices are subject to these additional restrictions. I had one idiotic seller send me a book via media mail. Usps media mail service rules, rates, tracking, calculator. Media mail is a costeffective way to send materials such as books, cards, calendars, journals, dvds, and cds through the u. But, if you find that your package is more than 8 ounces in weight, then you are required to print your postage and add media mail shipping label. Read the sections below to get a complete understanding of media mail such as how it works, what are the restriction, what is the cost, how to ship media mail. Ebay for beginners how to use media mail for your ebay. Plus, you can schedule a usps pickup from your home or office. If also serving as an order form, the envelope or card may be in addition to the order form. But you can ship marijuana, lsd, hollow point ammunition, live scorpions, and child pornography via media mail as well. Usps do not offer media mail internationally, only for domestic postage. Postal service allows you to send books, dvds, cds, printed music, and sound recordings through media mail at a discounted rate. It probably would have gone through fine if not for the duffel bag, it was quite obvious it wasnt books in there. If you want to send the items which are listed above, then you should definitely go with the service as it one of the cheapest services available.