Q&A for How to Ship Media Mail

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  • Question
    How do I print out the label on my home printer?
    Community Answer
    USPS.com does not provide an option for "Click 'n Ship" postage labels to be created online for media mail. You'll need to mail it from the post office.
  • Question
    Can I put clothing in the media mail box?
    Community Answer
    No. Only items eligible for media mail can be in the box.
  • Question
    What is the difference in delivery time when using media mail?
    Community Answer
    In my experience, it's about a four day difference.
  • Question
    Can I weigh my package at home, apply the appropriate number of stamps, and drop it of at the Post Office without having to talk to anyone?
    Community Answer
    Not if it is over 13 oz. It would be held or returned for compliance FAA security regulations. Anything over 13 ounces with stamps as postage must be presented to an employee at a retail window. If it is metered or has a computer-generated, paid label, you can drop it at the post office or have your carrier pick it up.
  • Question
    How can I send USPS media mail to Europe, and at which media mail rates?
    Community Answer
    Media Mail is not for International shipping, so you cannot get that pricing for sending materials overseas. You could look into an M-Bag if you want the cheapest option.
  • Question
    Can I include a small picture frame as a free gift with book purchase?
    Community Answer
    No. Read the criteria for what may be shipped via Media Mail. Picture frames are definitely ineligible and could result in your entire package being charged as postage due - for the Priority Mail price!
  • Question
    Can I use an Amazon box to ship something by media mail?
    Community Answer
    Turn the box inside out. How? Look inside, on one corner there is a 1" plus glue joint. Cut carefully between the box and the joint. Turn the box inside out and glue the joint in place. Now the outside is plain and suitable for shipping.
  • Question
    Can I ship items via media mail from home using a USPS account, or do I need to drop the items off at the post office?
    Community Answer
    No. USPS.com does not provide an option for "Click 'n Ship" postage labels to be created online, you'll need to mail it from the post office.
  • Question
    Can I use usps.com for media mail?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    No. Just follow the instructions above.
  • Question
    Can I ship media mail in a priority mail box?
    Community Answer
    No. Priority mail boxes are only for priority mail.
  • Question
    What if it's a combination of mostly media and some other small things?
    Community Answer
    I suggest you use priority or retail ground. Media mail can contain only the items listed for media mail.
  • Question
    Can I ship records in a 13x13x2 box by media mail? The guy told me I couldn't, but said I can use a 12 1/2 x 12 1/2 x 2.
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    If the "guy" is a postal employee, believe him.
  • Question
    Should media mail be written on front of the package?
    Community Answer
    Media mail is already written on the shipping label that you print out for your package.
  • Question
    Can I ship yearbooks via media mail if they have notes inside?
    Community Answer
    Yes, if there is no advertising (sponsor ads) in it. The notes would be incidental additions.
  • Question
    Can I put CDs in a CD carrying case when shipping media mail?
    Ellen Etc
    Community Answer
    You can send CDs in their original cases, but you cannot include other storage cases under "media mail." You can wrap it in bubble wrap or other generic packaging material.
  • Question
    What are the insurance rates for Media Mail?
    Ellen Etc
    Community Answer
    Insurance fees are based on the value of the item. To insure a shipment with a $50 value, the cost is $2.20, and it increases by the shipment value, with $600 in value costing $9.35 to insure.. The most insurance you can buy is $5,000 , which costs "$9.35 plus $1.35 per $100.00 or fraction thereof over $600 in declared value."
  • Question
    If the clerk at the post office classifies my box as media mail will it get checked again?
    Ellen Etc
    Community Answer
    Post office clerks rely on the customer's description of the contents when charging postage, and if a postal clerk is suspicious, they can ask the customer to open the box right there at the counter. The Post Office also has the right to inspect Media Mail along the route and return it to the customer if they have included ineligible items.
  • Question
    Can I send photo albums as media mail? If not can I take the sheets with the photo albums out of the binder and send it as media mail?
    Ellen Etc
    Community Answer
    No. Photo albums are not "bound printed material." They're loose photographs stored in a photo album, not printed material.
  • Question
    Can I mail a tablet via media mail?
    Community Answer
    No. A tablet doesn’t fall under any of the categories that qualify for media mail.
  • Question
    Can my publications be mailed media mail rate without envelopes to domestic addresses?
    Community Answer
    Not if they have any type of advertising in them. But because media mail is charged by the pound, you would be better off with first class or getting a permit for periodicals rate.
  • Question
    Can I seal the media mail box before I take it to the post office?
    Community Answer
    Yes. I believe they have the right to open it to confirm your description of the contents. If it is legitimate media mail, they then reseal it.
  • Question
    Does media mail go through the mail forwarding service?
    Community Answer
    There is no return or forward service for media mail. If the package has to be returned or forwarded, it will be postage due upon delivery.
  • Question
    How do I return something via eBay using Media Mail?
    Ellen Etc
    Community Answer
    If the item was legitimately sent to you using Media Mail, repackage the item in the same or similar packaging, address it to the sender, take it to the post office, and request Media Mail shipping. (You will be returning the item to the individual seller, not to eBay as a corporation.)
  • Question
    Can an exercise video be sent via media mail?
    Community Answer
    Yes, according to USPS: Video and sound recordings are appropriate to send via this method.
  • Question
    Can I send records in albums?
    Ellen Etc
    Community Answer
    Yes, according to USPS. "What can you send using Media Mail?: Books (at least eight pages), Printed music and test materials, Video and sound recordings, Printed educational charts, Medical loose-leaf pages and binders, Computer-readable media. NOTE: Video games, computer drives, and digital drives do not qualify for Media Mail prices."
  • Question
    Can I mail Media Mail in a plastic container? Does it have to be in a cardboard box?
    Ellen Etc
    Community Answer
    USPS General Standards Section 601, Mailability: "Wood, metal, or plastic boxes may be used for all types of loads, assuming adequate construction." (section 3.2d)
  • Question
    Are slides considered media for shipping purposes?
    Community Answer
    No; according to USPS, Media Mail is not appropriate for sending slides.
  • Question
    Can I send handwritten journals by Media Mail?
    Community Answer
    Yes, journals can be considered books. Those can be shipped via media mail. It is fine.
  • Question
    Can I put a letter in with media mail?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    No. A letter must be mailed separately via first-class mail.
  • Question
    Can I put media mail in a priority mail envelope?
    Donagan
    Top Answerer
    Yes, but you would then have to pay the Priority rate.
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