In 1938, President Franklin D. Roosevelt passed a proclamation lowering the postage cost for shipping books through the mail. The United States Postal Service implemented this “book rate” to incentivize citizens and organizations to send books to one another and increase the circulation of educational materials throughout the states. Decades later, this United States Postal Service program remains intact, having morphed into what’s now known as Media Mail.
If you run an educational nonprofit or ecommerce store, it can make a major difference to your bottom line to have a cost-effective way to distribute your materials. Media Mail may be the budget-friendly shipping option you’ve been looking for. Here’s what you can and can’t send as Media Mail packages, and the packaging rules to remember.
What is Media Mail?
Media Mail is a shipping service offered by the USPS specifically for sending educational materials and media items at lower rates than standard shipping options. Individuals and organizations in the US can send books, manuscripts, and even recordings like CDs and tapes at reduced Media Mail prices, starting at $4.13 for a package weighing up to one pound.
The Postal Service reserves the right to open and inspect any Media Mail package at any point during the shipping process. If they find non-qualifying items, the Postal Service charges the recipient or sender the additional postage.
Pros and cons of Media Mail
The primary advantage of sending Media Mail is the reduced postage cost for books or other media items, though the service also includes free tracking and optional signature confirmation for an additional fee of $4.15 if paid in person at a post office, or $3.50 if paid online.
On the other hand, shipping times for Media Mail range from two to eight business days. If your shipment needs to arrive sooner, you may need to explore other shipping options. Media Mail is designed primarily for shipping books, so the packages often undergo rougher handling, making this service less suitable for fragile items. You may also decide to pay to add insurance.
What can be shipped with Media Mail?
The Postal Service only allows select items to be shipped through Media Mail. Here are examples of eligible educational materials:
Books
USPS Media Mail was initially created to help people ship books by mail, and books remain at its core. If the books you’re mailing are at least eight pages long and contain no advertisements, Media Mail is an affordable shipping option. Magazines and comic books are ineligible, since they typically contain advertisements.
Printed music
Printed music includes lyrics, chord charts, lead sheets, songbooks, and sheet music for anything from children’s singalongs to orchestral scores.
Sound and video recordings
Media Mail lets you ship vinyl records, cassette tapes, and CDs, as well as video recordings like DVDs, recorded video tapes, and film reels that are 16 mm or narrower. Although you can ship computer-readable media like CD-ROMs and DVD-ROMs via Media Mail, digital drives and computer drives with sound and video recordings are not permitted.
Medical information
Loose-leaf pages in binders for medical schools and hospitals are permitted. Medical students and professionals who use Media Mail often take advantage of the reduced shipping rates to send medical educational materials.
What can’t be shipped with Media Mail?
Here are some examples of items the USPS does not allow sent through Media Mail:
Advertising materials
The USPS prohibits sending advertising materials in any form through Media Mail, including catalogs, brochures, newsletters, and other direct mail advertisements. The Postal Service inspects Media Mail packages regularly and can flag items that include something as simple as a promotional pamphlet. To avoid incurring extra fees, exclude any marketing materials in your shipments when using the Media Mail shipping program.
Video games and board games
The United States Postal Service characterizes video games and board games as “primarily for entertainment,” saying “they do not serve the same purpose as books, films, or other qualifying Media Mail.” This rule applies to any game, regardless of the medium (cartridges, discs, cards) or educational intent.
Personal notes
Invoices and media instructions can accompany educational products shipped through Media Mail, but personal notes and cards are prohibited. If you need to send personal correspondence related to your media, send it separately through another method.
Computer drives
Computer drives and digital drives like USBs are also prohibited, regardless of their educational content. The USPS prohibits these types of items because they are complicated to control and inspect.
Blank media
For educational materials to be eligible for Media Mail, they must include informational content; they can’t be empty workbooks or journals. Notebooks, crossword puzzle books, calendars, and coloring books are not eligible for Media Mail.
Packaging rules for shipping with Media Mail
- Size restrictions
- Weight restrictions
- Content requirements
- Packaging requirements
- Geographic boundaries
- Right to inspect
Before sending your first package with this service, make sure you understand all the Media Mail rules and restrictions, including:
Size restrictions
The combined length, width, and height of a Media Mail package can measure up to 108 inches.
Weight restrictions
Media Mail packages can weigh up to 70 pounds, the maximum weight for any USPS package. If your package is heavier than 70 pounds, consider shipping it with companies like FedEx and UPS, which offer shipping for packages that weigh up to 150 pounds. Note that lighter packages under eight ounces can cost more with Media Mail than other shipping methods like First Class.
Content requirements
Educational books, audio and video recordings, printed music, manuscripts, and medical information are the only items eligible for Media Mail. To take advantage of the pricing structure, send personal notes or advertising materials separately. However, packaging materials like bubble wrap and packing peanuts are allowed (and necessary for items that can easily break, like vinyl records or CDs).
Packaging requirements
Media Mail parcels require standard packaging without branding. If your company relies on branded packaging with a distinct logo or design, Media Mail is likely not the best shipping option for you.
Geographic boundaries
Media Mail is only viable for shipping educational products within the United States.
Right to inspect
The USPS can conduct a postal inspection of any Media Mail shipment. It reserves the right to open packages and examine their contents, so follow the Media Mail rules and restrictions closely and check the official USPS website for updates.
What is Media Mail FAQ
What’s the difference between Media Mail and regular mail?
Media Mail rates offer cost savings over regular mail but come with longer delivery times and strict content restrictions—including no ads or personal notes—to ensure packages contain only qualifying educational materials. Regular inspections enforce these rules.
Is Media Mail available for international shipments?
No, Media Mail is not available for international shipments. Media Mail is a domestic service offered by the United States Postal Service and is available only for packages shipped to and from the United States.
When should you use Media Mail instead of USPS First Class?
Use Media Mail to ship books, recordings, and manuscripts cost-effectively. Ideal for non-urgent deliveries, it typically takes between two and eight business days for your packages to reach their destinations. You must personally drop off packages weighing up to 70 pounds at a post office.