What can you send through media mail?
I’m a bookseller so I use media mail all the time. My question is the following. In USPS website it says that you can also use media mail to send educational material, anyone use media mail to send educational material that is not a book or something similar?
I just want to know because if that is the case, there is a bunch of more products that could fit in the educational material category somehow.
I also know that some people/sellers take advantage of media mail sending any other product that it doesn’t qualified in order to save on shipping costs.
From USPS website:
2–8 Business Days4
Media Mail® is a cost-effective way to send media and educational materials. This service has restrictions on the type of media that can be sent. From $2.66 at a Post Office.
14 replies
Seller_qz1y4XweLE9SO
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. are not.
All other items have to be shipped either First Class, First Class Package, or Priority Mail.
Keep in mind that any postal employer may open an envelope or package marked Media Mail to see what is inside. If it is not a book, etc. — you will be charged for return postage to you.
Many people try to claim items are Media mail when they are not.
While you were on the USPS website - why didn’t you look it up there.
The rules are clearly stated.
CJ
Seller_AJ8SzzrXJpQN1
A quick Google search of “What type of media can be shipped via USPS Media Mail” yielded the following result.
Media Mail rates are limited to the items listed below: Books (at least 8 pages). Sound recordings and video recordings, such as CDs and DVDs. Play scripts and manuscripts for books, periodicals, and music.
It boggles my mind as to why people don’t go to Google first to get these type of answers instead of posting on a forum so someone else can look it up for them.
Seller_03oEF7XMwht5S
Books, CDs, DVDs, cassettes,vinyl records and the like can be shipped Media Mail.
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 isn’t.
Remember, Media Mail is subject to random USPS search to see if what is shipped actually applies. If the postal employee inspecting the package disagrees with your interpretation the receiver may be charged postage due or the package may be returned to sender.
Seller_zLuco9vrxOhMi
The postal regulation for Media Mail is DMM 173.4.1.
4.0 Content Standards for Media Mail
4.1 Qualified Items
Only these items may be mailed at the Media Mail prices:
a. 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 containing
no advertising matter other than incidental announcements of books.
Advertising includes paid advertising and the publishers’ own advertising in
display, classified, or editorial style.
b. 16-millimeter or narrower width films, which must be positive prints in final
form for viewing, and catalogs of such films of 24 pages or more (at least 22
of which are printed). Films and film catalogs sent to or from commercial
theaters do not qualify for the Media Mail price.
c. Printed music, whether in bound or sheet form.
d. Printed objective test materials and their accessories used by or on behalf of
educational institutions to test ability, aptitude, achievement, interests, and
other mental and personal qualities with or without answers, test scores, or
identifying information recorded thereon in writing or by mark.
e. Sound recordings, including incidental announcements of recordings and
guides or scripts prepared solely for use with such recordings. Video
recordings and player piano rolls are classified as sound recordings.
f. Playscripts and manuscripts for books, periodicals, and music.
g. Printed educational reference charts designed to instruct or train individuals
for improving or developing their capabilities. Each chart must be a single
printed sheet of information designed for educational reference. The
information on the chart, which may be printed on one or both sides of the
sheet, must be conveyed primarily by graphs, diagrams, tables, or other
nonnarrative matter. An educational reference chart is normally but not
necessarily devoted to one subject. A chart on which the information is
conveyed primarily by textual matter in a narrative form does not qualify as a
printed educational reference chart for mailing at the Media Mail prices even
if it includes graphs, diagrams, or tables. Examples of qualifying charts
include maps produced primarily for educational reference, tables of
mathematical or scientific equations, noun declensions or verb conjugations
used in the study of languages, periodic table of elements, botanical or
zoological tables, and other tables used in the study of science.
h. Loose-leaf pages and their binders consisting of medical information for
distribution to doctors, hospitals, medical schools, and medical students.
i. Computer-readable media containing prerecorded information and guides or
scripts prepared solely for use with such media.
Seller_Hi7wbO2Kbo6bl
Here’s a link to a handy chart from USPS regarding what is, and what is not, eligible for Media. Easier to refer to than the DMM, but DMM citations are given for every yes/no ruling.
https://liteblue.usps.gov/news/link/2013/04apr/Media-Mail-Guidelines.htm
Seller_zLuco9vrxOhMi
About 25% of my Amazon sales are songbooks and sheet music which are eligible for Media Mail.
I occasionally sell player piano rolls (not on Amazon) and they also can be sent by Media Mail since they are considered sound recordings (see section 173.4.1.e). Most postal clerks have never heard of piano rolls let alone seen one so I always make a written reference to that DMM section on the outside of the package.
Seller_hXiz9WEBcgZSC
You put the emphasis on the wrong words. Read it like this:
Seller_enXQcRERrupkw
I don’t know what you are thinking you can send via Media Mail…but it is slow. Generally people understand using it for books and don’t necessarily expect the book right away. But buyers may expect the items you want to use MM for sooner than MM will deliver them. That could get you some negative reviews, which might turn out to be costly than the money you saved using “cheap” shipping.
What can you send through media mail?
I’m a bookseller so I use media mail all the time. My question is the following. In USPS website it says that you can also use media mail to send educational material, anyone use media mail to send educational material that is not a book or something similar?
I just want to know because if that is the case, there is a bunch of more products that could fit in the educational material category somehow.
I also know that some people/sellers take advantage of media mail sending any other product that it doesn’t qualified in order to save on shipping costs.
From USPS website:
2–8 Business Days4
Media Mail® is a cost-effective way to send media and educational materials. This service has restrictions on the type of media that can be sent. From $2.66 at a Post Office.
What can you send through media mail?
I’m a bookseller so I use media mail all the time. My question is the following. In USPS website it says that you can also use media mail to send educational material, anyone use media mail to send educational material that is not a book or something similar?
I just want to know because if that is the case, there is a bunch of more products that could fit in the educational material category somehow.
I also know that some people/sellers take advantage of media mail sending any other product that it doesn’t qualified in order to save on shipping costs.
From USPS website:
2–8 Business Days4
Media Mail® is a cost-effective way to send media and educational materials. This service has restrictions on the type of media that can be sent. From $2.66 at a Post Office.
14 replies
14 replies
Seller_qz1y4XweLE9SO
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. are not.
All other items have to be shipped either First Class, First Class Package, or Priority Mail.
Keep in mind that any postal employer may open an envelope or package marked Media Mail to see what is inside. If it is not a book, etc. — you will be charged for return postage to you.
Many people try to claim items are Media mail when they are not.
While you were on the USPS website - why didn’t you look it up there.
The rules are clearly stated.
CJ
Seller_AJ8SzzrXJpQN1
A quick Google search of “What type of media can be shipped via USPS Media Mail” yielded the following result.
Media Mail rates are limited to the items listed below: Books (at least 8 pages). Sound recordings and video recordings, such as CDs and DVDs. Play scripts and manuscripts for books, periodicals, and music.
It boggles my mind as to why people don’t go to Google first to get these type of answers instead of posting on a forum so someone else can look it up for them.
Seller_03oEF7XMwht5S
Books, CDs, DVDs, cassettes,vinyl records and the like can be shipped Media Mail.
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 isn’t.
Remember, Media Mail is subject to random USPS search to see if what is shipped actually applies. If the postal employee inspecting the package disagrees with your interpretation the receiver may be charged postage due or the package may be returned to sender.
Seller_zLuco9vrxOhMi
The postal regulation for Media Mail is DMM 173.4.1.
4.0 Content Standards for Media Mail
4.1 Qualified Items
Only these items may be mailed at the Media Mail prices:
a. 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 containing
no advertising matter other than incidental announcements of books.
Advertising includes paid advertising and the publishers’ own advertising in
display, classified, or editorial style.
b. 16-millimeter or narrower width films, which must be positive prints in final
form for viewing, and catalogs of such films of 24 pages or more (at least 22
of which are printed). Films and film catalogs sent to or from commercial
theaters do not qualify for the Media Mail price.
c. Printed music, whether in bound or sheet form.
d. Printed objective test materials and their accessories used by or on behalf of
educational institutions to test ability, aptitude, achievement, interests, and
other mental and personal qualities with or without answers, test scores, or
identifying information recorded thereon in writing or by mark.
e. Sound recordings, including incidental announcements of recordings and
guides or scripts prepared solely for use with such recordings. Video
recordings and player piano rolls are classified as sound recordings.
f. Playscripts and manuscripts for books, periodicals, and music.
g. Printed educational reference charts designed to instruct or train individuals
for improving or developing their capabilities. Each chart must be a single
printed sheet of information designed for educational reference. The
information on the chart, which may be printed on one or both sides of the
sheet, must be conveyed primarily by graphs, diagrams, tables, or other
nonnarrative matter. An educational reference chart is normally but not
necessarily devoted to one subject. A chart on which the information is
conveyed primarily by textual matter in a narrative form does not qualify as a
printed educational reference chart for mailing at the Media Mail prices even
if it includes graphs, diagrams, or tables. Examples of qualifying charts
include maps produced primarily for educational reference, tables of
mathematical or scientific equations, noun declensions or verb conjugations
used in the study of languages, periodic table of elements, botanical or
zoological tables, and other tables used in the study of science.
h. Loose-leaf pages and their binders consisting of medical information for
distribution to doctors, hospitals, medical schools, and medical students.
i. Computer-readable media containing prerecorded information and guides or
scripts prepared solely for use with such media.
Seller_Hi7wbO2Kbo6bl
Here’s a link to a handy chart from USPS regarding what is, and what is not, eligible for Media. Easier to refer to than the DMM, but DMM citations are given for every yes/no ruling.
https://liteblue.usps.gov/news/link/2013/04apr/Media-Mail-Guidelines.htm
Seller_zLuco9vrxOhMi
About 25% of my Amazon sales are songbooks and sheet music which are eligible for Media Mail.
I occasionally sell player piano rolls (not on Amazon) and they also can be sent by Media Mail since they are considered sound recordings (see section 173.4.1.e). Most postal clerks have never heard of piano rolls let alone seen one so I always make a written reference to that DMM section on the outside of the package.
Seller_hXiz9WEBcgZSC
You put the emphasis on the wrong words. Read it like this:
Seller_enXQcRERrupkw
I don’t know what you are thinking you can send via Media Mail…but it is slow. Generally people understand using it for books and don’t necessarily expect the book right away. But buyers may expect the items you want to use MM for sooner than MM will deliver them. That could get you some negative reviews, which might turn out to be costly than the money you saved using “cheap” shipping.
Seller_qz1y4XweLE9SO
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. are not.
All other items have to be shipped either First Class, First Class Package, or Priority Mail.
Keep in mind that any postal employer may open an envelope or package marked Media Mail to see what is inside. If it is not a book, etc. — you will be charged for return postage to you.
Many people try to claim items are Media mail when they are not.
While you were on the USPS website - why didn’t you look it up there.
The rules are clearly stated.
CJ
Seller_qz1y4XweLE9SO
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. are not.
All other items have to be shipped either First Class, First Class Package, or Priority Mail.
Keep in mind that any postal employer may open an envelope or package marked Media Mail to see what is inside. If it is not a book, etc. — you will be charged for return postage to you.
Many people try to claim items are Media mail when they are not.
While you were on the USPS website - why didn’t you look it up there.
The rules are clearly stated.
CJ
Seller_AJ8SzzrXJpQN1
A quick Google search of “What type of media can be shipped via USPS Media Mail” yielded the following result.
Media Mail rates are limited to the items listed below: Books (at least 8 pages). Sound recordings and video recordings, such as CDs and DVDs. Play scripts and manuscripts for books, periodicals, and music.
It boggles my mind as to why people don’t go to Google first to get these type of answers instead of posting on a forum so someone else can look it up for them.
Seller_AJ8SzzrXJpQN1
A quick Google search of “What type of media can be shipped via USPS Media Mail” yielded the following result.
Media Mail rates are limited to the items listed below: Books (at least 8 pages). Sound recordings and video recordings, such as CDs and DVDs. Play scripts and manuscripts for books, periodicals, and music.
It boggles my mind as to why people don’t go to Google first to get these type of answers instead of posting on a forum so someone else can look it up for them.
Seller_03oEF7XMwht5S
Books, CDs, DVDs, cassettes,vinyl records and the like can be shipped Media Mail.
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 isn’t.
Remember, Media Mail is subject to random USPS search to see if what is shipped actually applies. If the postal employee inspecting the package disagrees with your interpretation the receiver may be charged postage due or the package may be returned to sender.
Seller_03oEF7XMwht5S
Books, CDs, DVDs, cassettes,vinyl records and the like can be shipped Media Mail.
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 isn’t.
Remember, Media Mail is subject to random USPS search to see if what is shipped actually applies. If the postal employee inspecting the package disagrees with your interpretation the receiver may be charged postage due or the package may be returned to sender.
Seller_zLuco9vrxOhMi
The postal regulation for Media Mail is DMM 173.4.1.
4.0 Content Standards for Media Mail
4.1 Qualified Items
Only these items may be mailed at the Media Mail prices:
a. 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 containing
no advertising matter other than incidental announcements of books.
Advertising includes paid advertising and the publishers’ own advertising in
display, classified, or editorial style.
b. 16-millimeter or narrower width films, which must be positive prints in final
form for viewing, and catalogs of such films of 24 pages or more (at least 22
of which are printed). Films and film catalogs sent to or from commercial
theaters do not qualify for the Media Mail price.
c. Printed music, whether in bound or sheet form.
d. Printed objective test materials and their accessories used by or on behalf of
educational institutions to test ability, aptitude, achievement, interests, and
other mental and personal qualities with or without answers, test scores, or
identifying information recorded thereon in writing or by mark.
e. Sound recordings, including incidental announcements of recordings and
guides or scripts prepared solely for use with such recordings. Video
recordings and player piano rolls are classified as sound recordings.
f. Playscripts and manuscripts for books, periodicals, and music.
g. Printed educational reference charts designed to instruct or train individuals
for improving or developing their capabilities. Each chart must be a single
printed sheet of information designed for educational reference. The
information on the chart, which may be printed on one or both sides of the
sheet, must be conveyed primarily by graphs, diagrams, tables, or other
nonnarrative matter. An educational reference chart is normally but not
necessarily devoted to one subject. A chart on which the information is
conveyed primarily by textual matter in a narrative form does not qualify as a
printed educational reference chart for mailing at the Media Mail prices even
if it includes graphs, diagrams, or tables. Examples of qualifying charts
include maps produced primarily for educational reference, tables of
mathematical or scientific equations, noun declensions or verb conjugations
used in the study of languages, periodic table of elements, botanical or
zoological tables, and other tables used in the study of science.
h. Loose-leaf pages and their binders consisting of medical information for
distribution to doctors, hospitals, medical schools, and medical students.
i. Computer-readable media containing prerecorded information and guides or
scripts prepared solely for use with such media.
Seller_zLuco9vrxOhMi
The postal regulation for Media Mail is DMM 173.4.1.
4.0 Content Standards for Media Mail
4.1 Qualified Items
Only these items may be mailed at the Media Mail prices:
a. 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 containing
no advertising matter other than incidental announcements of books.
Advertising includes paid advertising and the publishers’ own advertising in
display, classified, or editorial style.
b. 16-millimeter or narrower width films, which must be positive prints in final
form for viewing, and catalogs of such films of 24 pages or more (at least 22
of which are printed). Films and film catalogs sent to or from commercial
theaters do not qualify for the Media Mail price.
c. Printed music, whether in bound or sheet form.
d. Printed objective test materials and their accessories used by or on behalf of
educational institutions to test ability, aptitude, achievement, interests, and
other mental and personal qualities with or without answers, test scores, or
identifying information recorded thereon in writing or by mark.
e. Sound recordings, including incidental announcements of recordings and
guides or scripts prepared solely for use with such recordings. Video
recordings and player piano rolls are classified as sound recordings.
f. Playscripts and manuscripts for books, periodicals, and music.
g. Printed educational reference charts designed to instruct or train individuals
for improving or developing their capabilities. Each chart must be a single
printed sheet of information designed for educational reference. The
information on the chart, which may be printed on one or both sides of the
sheet, must be conveyed primarily by graphs, diagrams, tables, or other
nonnarrative matter. An educational reference chart is normally but not
necessarily devoted to one subject. A chart on which the information is
conveyed primarily by textual matter in a narrative form does not qualify as a
printed educational reference chart for mailing at the Media Mail prices even
if it includes graphs, diagrams, or tables. Examples of qualifying charts
include maps produced primarily for educational reference, tables of
mathematical or scientific equations, noun declensions or verb conjugations
used in the study of languages, periodic table of elements, botanical or
zoological tables, and other tables used in the study of science.
h. Loose-leaf pages and their binders consisting of medical information for
distribution to doctors, hospitals, medical schools, and medical students.
i. Computer-readable media containing prerecorded information and guides or
scripts prepared solely for use with such media.
Seller_Hi7wbO2Kbo6bl
Here’s a link to a handy chart from USPS regarding what is, and what is not, eligible for Media. Easier to refer to than the DMM, but DMM citations are given for every yes/no ruling.
https://liteblue.usps.gov/news/link/2013/04apr/Media-Mail-Guidelines.htm
Seller_Hi7wbO2Kbo6bl
Here’s a link to a handy chart from USPS regarding what is, and what is not, eligible for Media. Easier to refer to than the DMM, but DMM citations are given for every yes/no ruling.
https://liteblue.usps.gov/news/link/2013/04apr/Media-Mail-Guidelines.htm
Seller_zLuco9vrxOhMi
About 25% of my Amazon sales are songbooks and sheet music which are eligible for Media Mail.
I occasionally sell player piano rolls (not on Amazon) and they also can be sent by Media Mail since they are considered sound recordings (see section 173.4.1.e). Most postal clerks have never heard of piano rolls let alone seen one so I always make a written reference to that DMM section on the outside of the package.
Seller_zLuco9vrxOhMi
About 25% of my Amazon sales are songbooks and sheet music which are eligible for Media Mail.
I occasionally sell player piano rolls (not on Amazon) and they also can be sent by Media Mail since they are considered sound recordings (see section 173.4.1.e). Most postal clerks have never heard of piano rolls let alone seen one so I always make a written reference to that DMM section on the outside of the package.
Seller_hXiz9WEBcgZSC
You put the emphasis on the wrong words. Read it like this:
Seller_hXiz9WEBcgZSC
You put the emphasis on the wrong words. Read it like this:
Seller_enXQcRERrupkw
I don’t know what you are thinking you can send via Media Mail…but it is slow. Generally people understand using it for books and don’t necessarily expect the book right away. But buyers may expect the items you want to use MM for sooner than MM will deliver them. That could get you some negative reviews, which might turn out to be costly than the money you saved using “cheap” shipping.
Seller_enXQcRERrupkw
I don’t know what you are thinking you can send via Media Mail…but it is slow. Generally people understand using it for books and don’t necessarily expect the book right away. But buyers may expect the items you want to use MM for sooner than MM will deliver them. That could get you some negative reviews, which might turn out to be costly than the money you saved using “cheap” shipping.
