Hi all, just a warning about something i only learned today. In the current issue of american philatelist, wayne youngblood, a directoratlarge of the american philatelic. The online sellers guide to usps shipping rates for 2019. Insured mail must be presented to a retail employee at a post office or a rural carrier. Play scripts and manuscripts for books, periodicals, and music. Order stamps, shipping supplies, and unique items only available from the united states postal service. Books shipping as media mail may contain incidental book announcements. For most of your mailings, the content of the material and postage will determine the class of mail. The usps filed its shipping rates for 2019, and its making some drastic changes that will impact online sellers. Postal service allows you to send books, dvds, cds, printed music, and sound recordings through media mail at a discounted rate. 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. Can i ship media a book in a priority mail flat rate. Upon such inspection, matter not eligible for the media mail rate may be assessed at the proper price and sent to the recipient postage due, or the sender may be contacted for additional postage. Postal standards provide that bound printed matter is package services 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. Available for firstclass mail, priority mail, parcel post, bound printed matter, and media mail. Priority mail flat rate boxes variety pack variety frb. However, there are other factors that should be considered before you decide to ship a package by media mail. Media mail is a costeffective way to send media and educational materials. Shipping books to canada general selling questions. Usps media mail overview shippingeasy support center. Media mail is a usps mail class restricted to the delivery of books, film, audio and other recorded media.
So how do you get media mail rates, and more importantly, what qualifies as media mail. The name of the book rate was upgraded to include all formats of media, and thus, media mail was created. When it comes to shipping books, dvds and other media, nothing beats u. As compared to the prices in 2019, the rates have increased. If a package qualifies for the usps delivery instructions service, you can tell usps where to leave a package at your address, send it to a different address, or send it to your post office. Media mail is a costeffective option for those who send books, recorded music and other media materials in bulk through the u. Each class of mail has different features, service levels, postage prices, and presort requirements. If you buy an item that is shipped using usps media mail option, then you can expect to receive your package in 2 to 9 days. There are no discounts available for media mail so the rates are the same no. Sep 26, 2019 available for sending small and large packages containing books, film, manuscripts, sound recordings, video tapes, and computer media such as cds, dvds, and diskettes only. Check this out before offering items internationally.
Most priority mail international flat rate boxes and envelopes are free. Media mail rates are based on parcel weights and rate class. Eventually other media became more popular, dvds were invented, etc. Upon such inspection, matter not eligible for the media mail rate may be assessed at the proper rate and sent to the recipient postage due, or the sender may be contacted for additional postage dmm 604. Sep 17, 2010 the united states postal service offers substantial shipping discounts for materials sent at media mail rates. Jun 15, 2010 how do i ship my books with media mail book rate. For packages that only contain books, videos, or music, theres no cheaper way to ship them than with media mail. Therefore, you shouldnt mail advertisements except for a book announcement with a book or other non media material through media mail because you will risk having your package sent back to you for insufficient postage. The cost of sending media mail is determined by your packages weight. If you come in with a foot square box that weighs only 8 ounces, the clerk is going to be a little suspicious about the contents. The good thing is that the media mail postage rate is not high, but your shipping time is 2 to 8 days. Sound recordings and video recordings, such as cds and dvds. How nitpicky is the post office with regards to media mail.
The united states postal service offers many services, and one of them is media mail. Hi, first no, no, no priority flat rates are for shipping priority only not media mail. But many people abuse it, sometimes intentionally, and sometimes unintentionally. However, usps does not allow the package to contain anything besides the. In addition to the enclosures and additions listed in 4. Small and large packages and thick envelopes can be sent domestically using media mail. Formerly called book rate, media mail cannot contain advertising, except eligible books may contain incidental announcements of books. It is a costeffective way for those who sell these items online to ship them to buyers. Sound recordings and video recordings, in the form of cds and dvds. Media mail is a type of shipping option offered by the u. For each additional pound, add 52 cents to your total.
Second unless the book is a very light weight paperback i wouldnt recommend using such just on the basis that it would not provide sufficient protection for a book during shipment. The box can only measure at 108 inches combined width and length. The drawback of media mail is that usps has a right to open and inspect your package to check for abuse of the system. Generally, media mail will be the cheapest option to ship books, but there might be a few instances where other options cost less. Contents are limited to books, manuscripts, sound recordings, and certain other educational materials. Media mail is a special reduced mailing rate solely for the purpose of sending printed or recorded material through the u. Can i use usps media mail to ship a book that is gift wrapped wrapped in holiday wrapping paper. What is difference between book rate and media mail. Unlike many usps services, media mail is only available at retail pricing.
The items sent using special media mail rates cannot exceed 70. Media mail is just about the least expensive shipping method the us postal service offers. Can i ship photos book ratemedia rate via the us postal service. The mail class is also known as book rate among book sellers. Find the fastest shipping rate or most affordable shipping cost depending on what items youre sending and when you want them delivered. Offered through the usps, media mail allows you to inexpensively ship. The service is closely regulated, so only select if your products qualify. Ps form 3877, firm mailing book for accountable mail, is a multipage bound book that contains individual sheets with several spaces on each sheet to enter multiple article numbers for accountable mail such as certified mail, cod, priority mail express, and insured mail pieces. Flat rate, no zones so it does not get cheaper locally, but even locally it is still cheapest per pound if you qualify. This costefficient shipping class allows you to send pounds of media for a fraction of the cost, which can save your small business money.
This will enable pirate ships rate shopping to show you media mail rates. A friend of mine gave me some empty not dirty diaper boxes to use for the books. Now business customers can calculate the cost of shippingonline. How do you use the usps media mail shipping service. When weighing a package, round up to the nearest whole pound to find the postage cost. People may confuse this with the usps s book rate, but book rate and media mail are actually the same thing. Surcharges may apply to certain items including packages that weigh over 25 pounds. Media mail service is a cost efficient way to mail books, sound recordings, recorded video tapes, printed music, and recorded computerreadable media such as cds, dvds, and diskettes.
Usps provides reliable and affordable international delivery to more than 190 countries through priority mail international service. I recently sold a lot of 4 unused disney coloring books. If so, does usps media mail allow the use of ribbon to tie together two books that are wrapped in holiday wrapping paper. Mar 04, 2010 i worked for the post office during a desperate time in my life. Therefore, you shouldnt mail advertisements except for a book announcement with a book or other nonmedia material through media mail because you will risk having your package sent back to you for insufficient postage. Business customer gateway postal inspectors inspector general. Media mail usps retail rate table shippingeasy support center. Other media items were included in book rate, but the main use of that rate for years was books. See forever postage stamp prices and other postage rates. Media mail rates can be 50% lower than priority mail media mail starts at.
Media mail is for shipping media items containing books, sound recordings, recorded video tapes, printed music, recorded computerreadable. Usps media mail is a great shipping option for shipping books. What is the estimated delivery time for media mail. The use of the book or electronic facsimiles eliminates the need to. Subscribe to the usps youtube channel, like us on facebook and enjoy our postal posts blog.
Usps flat rate boxes and padded envelopes are also economical, reliable. New rates were implemented from january 26th, 2020. Simply fill in the blanks, and let our online calculator figure out your postage. Understanding the media mail classification newsletter. Media mail is a costeffective way to send media materials through the u. Usps standard and express mail services allow you to choose delivery options that fit your needs. Its not an acrosstheboard rate change, so some sellers will be impacted more than others, depending on what kinds of packages theyre shipping, how far their packages are going, and which services they use. The types of media allowed are limited, though, and by following this guide you will know what you can and cannot send through media mail. Media mail is the cheapest way to ship books, vinyl records, or other music with. People may confuse this with the uspss book rate, but book rate and media mail are actually the same thing. Media mail is the perfect affordable option for sending books, cds, and dvds through the united states.
Media mail usps retail rate table shippingeasy support. On sunday, april 10, 2016, the usps implemented a postage rate decrease, as a result of which it will now cost less to ship a media mail package. Usps has boxes and packaging in a variety of sizes to support your shipping needs. How to package a book through media mail bizfluent. The predictable result, especially during an economic downturn, is that retailers and the general public often try to send nonmedia items in packages at media mail rates. Media mail is a cost effective service for shipping books and education material. Usps do not offer media mail internationally, only for domestic postage. Items must not be insured for more than their value. As compared to the prices in 2017, the rates have increased by 1. Examples of media mail items include dvds, cds, disks, videotapes, manuscripts, books, film and sound recordings. Bound printed matter is a cost effective way to mail singlepiece or volume presort permanentlybound sheets of advertising, promotional, directory or editorial material such as catalogs, books and other printed material using ps form 8042 bound printed matter documentation form and a permit account or a penalty permit account. Shop now free usps shipping supplies supplies banner. If the clerks have just been lectured by management about the evils of media mail.
Jul 23, 2006 i would think that you can, based on the info on the usps site. The shipping container must weigh less than 70 lbs 32 kg to qualify for media mail. Even then, media mail provides highly competitive postage rates for shipping educational materials. However, usps is very strict about what items qualify for media mail, and may open packages for inspection to ensure they qualify for this service. Media mail shipping is a costeffective way to send educational materials. Review the kinds of items the usps lists as being eligible for media mail. Computerreadable media containing prerecorded information and guides or scripts prepared solely for use with such media. On average, media mail packages are received in 5 to 7 business. Usps media mail service rules, rates, tracking, calculator. Determining the cost of shipping domestically is now made easy. Available for sending small and large packages containing books, film, manuscripts, sound recordings, video tapes, and computer media such as cds, dvds, and diskettes only. Usps reserves the right to open and inspect any media mail shipment. The postal service divides mail into different services, called classes.
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. The issue with media mail is that it is supposed to be just that. So, you may refer to the recent price list of the usps media mail rates. For more information about media mail service, please visit ps. Many other postal services also offer a discounted price for shipping books. Postal service for any packages containing books, recordings, printed music and other types of media. Lastly, does usps media mail allow a sticker gift tag to. If you are sending multiple books, compare your media mail price with that of a flat rate box. Media mail is a shipping alternative offered by the u. Mar 27, 2020 media mail is a type of shipping option offered by the u.
Media mail rates are limited to the items listed below. Often referred to as book rate, media mail is known for having a substantially lower cost than other delivery methods. Yes, there is no media mail class in canada, your cost will be much higher. Determining postage prices is easy when you use the information below. However, in order to obtain media mail rates, the shipper must abide by several packaging rules. Complete explanations of qualified items can be found in the dmm. Find the fastest shipping rate or most affordable shipping cost depending on. Just provide the necessary information, and the calculator. 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. Media mail shipping rates are based solely on weight and will remain. The usps lists the following types of media as eligible for media mail. Postal service media resources, including broadcastquality video and audio and photo stills, visit the usps newsroom. Can i ship media a book in a priority mail flat rate envelope through the usps but choose usps media mail shipping. That which is now called media mail used to be called book rate.