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.

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Question

Can I put clothing in the media mail box?

Community Answer

No. Only items eligible for media mail can be in the box.

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Question

What is the difference in delivery time when using media mail?

Community Answer

In my experience, it's about a four day difference.

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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.

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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Question

Can I use usps.com for media mail?

Donagan

Top Answerer

No. Just follow the instructions above.

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Question

Can I ship media mail in a priority mail box?

Community Answer

No. Priority mail boxes are only for priority mail.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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."

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.)

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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.

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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."

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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)

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Question

Are slides considered media for shipping purposes?

Community Answer

No; according to USPS, Media Mail is not appropriate for sending slides.

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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.

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Question

Can I put a letter in with media mail?

Donagan

Top Answerer

No. A letter must be mailed separately via first-class mail.

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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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