I was an online book seller for years, so I wanted to share the best way to send books cheaply: with usps media mail! and how to save time with paypal (but I’ll get to that part later).
Before I get into the matter, I want to mention that this is only for those who live in the United States and who ship to states within the US. uu. (sorry in advance everyone else!). and yes, media mail rates allow shipping to hawaii and alaska.
Now, let’s get into the details!
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why send books with usps media mail?
usps media mail is by far the cheapest way to ship books within the united states. rates are a fraction of the cost compared to other mail services like first class, retail, or even flat rate mailboxes.
is a mail service created specifically for shipping books and other media (such as video/sound recordings, reference graphics, etc.) It was created to keep the cost of shipping books down, so it makes sense that it be the cheapest option.
how to print a usps media mailing label at home
I’m going to let you in on a little secret I stumbled upon when I was an online book seller: you don’t need to pay a stamps.com membership to print multi-media mail package shipping labels at home! you definitely can, but you don’t have to. all you need is a paypal account (and no, it doesn’t need to be a business account).
When you’re logged into your paypal account, go to this link to print your shipping label. 2022 update: this link will now direct you to create a free shipstation account and connect it to paypal. Once this is done, you will be able to print labels by following the steps below.
Next are a few things you’ll need to select/enter.
- click ‘create new quick tag’
- enter your return address (‘ship from’)
- enter the ‘ship to’ address
- select the ship date (next to ‘package and weight’). (this is the date you plan to drop off the package with usps).
- select ‘custom package’ in the package type dropdown (you will be able to select multimedia mail later )
- enter the estimated dimensions of your package (even if it is a thick or bubble envelope)
- enter the weight of your package (you can use a food scale or postal/shipping scale for this. this is the one I got from amazon).
- click ‘calculate rates’ and select ‘media mail ‘ from the options on the right. (tracking is free with media mail and will be applied automatically).
- click ‘buy tag’.
then, it’s time to print your label! i print mine on plain paper, then tape it to my packages with shipping tape. Be sure to cover the shipping address area with tape, so it doesn’t get damaged in the rain.
how to wrap a book package for shipping
for 1 or 2 books, a bubble envelope (with plastic lining inside) or a small box can be used. Larger boxes will be needed to ship multiple books at once. If you use a box, I recommend wrapping the books in bubble wrap and/or a plastic bag to keep them from getting wet in the rain.
and don’t forget to seal the box with shipping tape before you drop it off at usps! Most USPS locations have a container to drop off packages, so you don’t have to wait in line or go to the counter.
how long does it take to send multimedia mail?
While multimedia mail is the cheapest option for sending books, it’s definitely not the fastest. It may take between 2 and 10 days. I found that it usually takes 5-6 days depending on how far you are shipping. Shipping to states like Hawaii and Alaska may take longer (sometimes 2-3 weeks).
can I send other items with the books?
It is important to note that you cannot add additional items to the package if they do not qualify for multimedia mail.
for example, you cannot send a candle with a book if you are using multimedia mail. your package is subject to review at any time and additional charges will be added if not all items qualify for postal delivery.
hope this helps you save some money (and time) while shipping books!