What is USPS Media Mail? (all you must know)
If you’re an educator, publisher, or seller of certain educational goods, you may find yourself shipping items (or kits) that are quite heavy.
In fact, when it comes to the U.S. Postal Service, in many cases, the heavier the item, the more expensive it will be to ship.
But what if your shipping is eligible for Media Mail? What is USPS Media Mail? If you want to learn more, keep reading!
What is USPS Media Mail in 2022?
Media Mail is a mailing category offered by the U.S. Postal Service limited to 2022 educational media items, including books, videotapes, DVDs and CDs, tapes, and similar items. Items must not contain advertisements, and by using Media Mail, the customer agrees to USPS package search. Note that Media Mail does not count regions into pricing.
To learn more about how Media Mail works, including eligibility, how much it costs, how pricing works, and more, keep reading below for everything you need to know!
What is USPS Media Mail?
USPS takes fraud seriously, and mailing something that isn’t actually considered media mail through the shipping category technically qualifies as such.
So what can you ship when you use Media Mail USPS?
Well, the Domestic Mail Handbook is very specific about what types of educational materials are allowed. Here are some major projects:
- A book with at least eight pages in print that contains no advertisements other than “announcements accompanying the book” (such as those pages later announcing the author’s next work)
- 16mm film (or narrower)
- Printed music, bound or single
- Printed Test Materials
- Audio recordings, including video recordings and player piano rolls (yes, these types of player piano rolls)
- Scripts and manuscripts for books, magazines or music
- Educational infographics
- Binder and loose-leaf paper, in a binder containing medical information, for doctors and students, schools and hospitals
- “Computer-readable media” with pre-recorded content (e.g. no blank DVR)
You can see the full list and further instructions here.
This USPS About page also states that comic books do not count as media mailings, nor do blank tapes or magazines that contain advertisements.
A note on prohibiting advertising through Media Mail: A book that contains more than just side announcements from other books will not be eligible.
So advertising for anything — clothing, cars, services, etc. — other than simply announcing that another book will be released at some point will disqualify a book.
Can you send any media mail?
You cannot use USPS Media Mail to ship anything – items must be educational materials that do not contain advertising.
In fact, you can check out this page for an accessible list of eligible educational media projects. This list includes the following:
- books
- manuscript
- audio and video recording
- print music
- computer readable medium
- 16mm or less film
- test material
- Charts and binders with medical information
Blank forms of media (tapes, thumb drives, DVDs, etc.) are not eligible, nor are any items that contain advertising.
Does USPS actually check media mail?
These are difficult times for the postal service, with budgetary issues and staffing issues.
So I think if the postal employees don’t strictly inspect any/all packages, this is the example.
But, having said that, due to the very limited range of material allowed to be sent via media mail, if USPS were to check any mail class, I think this one would be there.
Remember, items shipped by Media Mail have a label that indicates the shipping level.
So what happens if you try to sneak ineligible content through Media Mail?
Well, according to the USPS, if your package is inspected and found to contain items that are not allowed, the penalties are not too severe.
The package can simply be re-evaluated in a different, eligible mail class, and the recipient is then charged the correct price.
Alternatively, USPS may contact the sender to let them know they need to pay additional postage.
In fact, unlike someone actually sending illegal items (alcohol, drugs, guns, etc.) in the mail, the Postal Service just wants to get back the money you owe.
Also: Say you’re an aunt or uncle and use Media Mail to send books to your niece. Unfortunately, you also can’t ship a toy in a box just because the book is eligible.
Why is media mail cheaper?
Cheaper postage for media mail dates back to the birth of the mail class in 1938.
At the time, the Postal Service created the mail class to reduce the cost of shipping books, thereby making “the flow of educational materials” more accessible.
Today, the Media Mail shipping class continues this tradition and has now expanded to include 20th and 21st century technologies.
Again, it’s still very affordable (but note that it’s also fairly slow, with a window of 2-8 business days).
As I mentioned, Media Mail doesn’t include Zones in its pricing like Priority Mail does.
Any price associated with the weight of your item is a flat fee, no matter how far within the United States. For example, a one-pound book costs $3.19.
As with all USPS shipments, the maximum weight limit is 70 lbs. at 70 lbs. (That’s a decent amount of books!) Shipping is only $44.43.
(You can find the full price chart here.)
Can you use any mailbox for media mail?
You can use almost any box to send your media mail shipment, as long as it’s not a box for a different mail class (eg, Priority Mail Flat Rate).
However, make sure to choose a box that is in good condition, and if there are any previous shipping labels, scratch or mark them.
To access best practices for reusing boxes, check out this helpful page.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on How Fast is USPS Media Mail, Does USPS Check for Media Mail, and USPS Regular Mail.
in conclusion
Media Mail is a very affordable shipping class for mailing educational materials including books, recordings, music, and more.
Media Mail cannot contain any advertising content, and using the mail class assumes consent to USPS opening and searching the package to ensure the content is eligible for shipping.
