business mail includes two services, a 5-digit presort and a basic presort, where you’ll find a slight variation in pricing. pre-sorted rates are available for bulk quantities of at least 300 packages.
You can also access the USPS Media Mail Calculator for retail and business mail.
You can choose to pay for additional services, such as delivery confirmation. but then you won’t get all the benefits of low multimedia mail prices.
If you ship multiple packages at once, each will be weighed separately. if the packages are all the same, a random group of at least ten of them will be weighed, and the total weight will be divided by the number of packages to determine the weight and cost per item.
the best ways to package multimedia mail items
There are a few different ways to do this. Below, I describe your best options for packaging and sending your multimedia mail items and walk you through the process step-by-step.
So what are the best packaging materials?
You can use an envelope to wrap your multimedia mail, for example if you are sending a single CD.
In that case, there are USPS guidelines for envelope and cd placement. it must be held in place to prevent it from moving more than a half inch in any direction. the maximum disk size is 4.7 inches in diameter and 0.08 inch thick.
You can also use a box for your media, as long as the package weighs 70 pounds or less and measures a maximum of 108 inches in length and width combined around the thickest part.
usps media mail packaging material guidelines
usps has guidelines for the careful packaging of materials. Here are some of their tips:
- Choose a box with enough space for the cushioning material around the contents.
- choose a sturdy box, such as cardboard or corrugated cardboard.
- if you are reusing a box, remove all old labels and markings.
- place padding around your article or articles. Options for padding include newspaper, foam “peanuts,” or shredded paper. close and shake the box to see if you have enough stuffing or if you need to add more.
- place an additional address label with delivery and return addresses inside the package. that ensures your package will arrive even if the labels fall off, which could happen if the package is inspected by the usps.
- if your package is heavy or dense, start with a sturdy box, pack the contents Secure with strong reinforcing material, and tape all edges with reinforced tape.
- Tape the opening of your box and reinforce all seams with 2-inch-wide packing tape. do not use string, thread, twine, masking tape, or cellophane.
additional multimedia mail standards
- You must prepare flat size pieces such as envelopes that do not meet certain eligibility standards as packages.
- You may submit two or more flats (large envelopes) as one piece if they are approximately the same size or shape. you must wrap or bind them securely, and cannot exceed weight or size limits.
There are some size restrictions for self service.
You may not use postage stamps on pieces of media mail weighing more than ten ounces or measuring more than one-half inch thick, if you wish to deposit them yourself in a collection box or through the postal service lobby depot, dock postal service, customer mailbox, or other unattended location.
Instead, you will need to take the package to an employee at a retail service counter at a postal service facility. Please note that if you do not present the items correctly, they will be returned to you for proper entry and acceptance.
pro tip: some residents can use the usps on-demand pickup service for a fee, instead of using a local post office. you can get more information on the usps website.
how to label your usps media package
must:
- please include a delivery address with the correct postal code or zip+4 code, placed in the center of the package.
- please include your return address in the upper left hand corner.
- print “media mail” on each piece in the postage area (you can also print this on the shipping address label).
- place postage paid in the upper right corner.
how to ship and track a package from usps media mail
once your package(s) are ready, here are the five steps to sending a multimedia mail package:
- Label the package with the delivery address and your (from the sender’s) address.
- if you are new to using multimedia mail, it is best to visit a post office in person and get advice and help from the usps employee.
- Your item will be weighed and priced.
- Pay for shipping.
- Be sure to save the information with your tracking number.
When you ship a package with Multimedia Mail, the lower price means shipping takes a little longer than some of the other shipping options. it also means that you do not have additional services such as insurance. however, you have the option to pay for additional services:
- confirmation signature for packages only
- insurance
- return receipt
- cash against delivery
media mail includes usps media mail tracking for packages, so you know the estimated delivery date and time, and know where your packages are.
usps multimedia mail tracking works just like other usps tracking. Your USPS tracking number will be 22 digits long and will start with the number 9. This is where you’ll find it:
- post office shipping receipt
- email confirmation if you chose to ship using usps.com or with an online retailer
- mailing receipt sale for insurance, if purchased
- bottom of tracking label peeling off
then enter the tracking number into the usps tracking tool. you can add up to 35 numbers at a time, separated by commas.
You can also track your USPS Multimedia Mail package with the Circuit Package Tracker app, available for Android or iOS.
Its handy map view will show you exactly where your package is, or you can use it to follow the entire “journey” of the package. a simple search allows you to track packages from anywhere in the world. you can customize your alerts and be instantly notified when there are changes to your shipment.
It’s one more way to track your USPS Media Mail delivery and, combined with the USPS Media Mail Service, it’s a more economical way to ship specific media items.
usps media mail frequently asked questions
does usps really check media mail?
yes, usps reserves the right to inspect multimedia mail. they can open and check the content to ensure that the attached items are on the media mail requirement list. companies have reported that packages have been opened, and customers sometimes report that repackaging was done poorly.
why is multimedia mail so cheap?
The United States Postal Service first created multimedia mail in 1938. The goal was to provide a less expensive way to mail books to encourage the flow of educational materials through the mail. originally called “book fee”, it was later expanded as technology created new items that could still be considered educational, such as movies, cd’s and dvd’s.
can you file a claim in media mail?
If you have paid insurance on your package and it is lost or damaged, you can file an insurance claim. You must complete a form with all the necessary documentation, including evidence of insurance and proof of value. If the item is damaged, you must keep the item, packaging and all contents until the claim is resolved. if you don’t have insurance, you won’t be able to file a claim.
do calendars count as multimedia mail?
no, calendars cannot be sent as multimedia mail. another sending option would have to be used to send calendars.
usps media mail: conclusion
forget the high cost of stamps! If you’re looking for a great, affordable way to ship your books, manuscripts, and other items you ship irregularly, USPS Media Mail is the shipping method for you. you’ll save money and be able to track your package every step of the way.
Already using USPS Multimedia Mail? track your package now.