If you’re looking to ship some vinyl records via media mail, then this article is for you. Maybe you sell vinyl records and are looking to save on shipping, or maybe you’re trying to send a friend a vinyl record as a gift. As someone who frequently sends and receives vinyl records, here’s some information I’d like to know before my first experience.
Hopefully you’ll find this helpful and able to answer any of your questions before you head to the post office to send your vinyl via multimedia mail.
Are vinyl records mail? Vinyl records are considered sound recordings. According to the USPS, sound recordings, including vinyl records, may be shipped via media mail with their accompanying recording announcements and guides or scripts prepared solely for use with such recordings.
Questions that remain unanswered are whether multimedia mail is the best option and how we recommend packaging your records correctly. we want you to be confident in your choice, whether you choose multimedia mail or not. So we’ve included some USPS links to help you understand their classification on vinyl records.
how does the usps classify vinyl records
Under USPS National Mail Manual 173.4.1.e, “Records, Phonograph Records” are classified as “Eligible Sound Recordings.” on the usps website, allow sound recordings to be sent via media mail with their accompanying recording announcements and guides or scripts prepared solely for use with such recordings.
However, there are some restrictions on shipping your records and some tips to keep in mind before going to the post office.
- Your multimedia mail package is subject to inspection. this is to ensure that you are not submitting items not included on the list of approved items eligible for media mail shipping rates. depending on your post office and the employee you go to, they may or may not inspect your package. This has happened to us both ways multiple times. therefore, to be on the safe side, do not seal your package until it has been inspected or make sure you are packing tape.
- you may not include anything with media items other than your packing slip or receipts and the registry standard. contents. that unfortunately means you can’t write a thank you note to your customer or include a card inside the gift box unless you write it on the packing slip.
- maximum weight 70 lbs. This means you won’t have to ship your entire collection in one box! however, you can send them separately in multiple boxes, all using Media Mail.
- Media Mail packages must have a delivery address and the return address of the sender. If your package is inspected after the shipment is accepted and it is determined that you owe additional postage, the post office may return your package to the sender for additional postage.
why send your records via usps media mail?
We like to ship vinyl records via media mail because you get a great deal on shipping rates and some awesome free add-ons that you just have to ask for at the clerk desk. what does $2.80 for 1 pound sound like? What if we told you that it even comes with a tracking number? well, with media mail that’s the case. There are several pros and cons to using media mail to ship vinyl records.
pros and cons of sending your vinyl records by postal mail
current rates for sending multimedia mail*
Since vinyl records vary in weight based on size, number of lps, cover, and press weight, you could budget around 8 oz per individual lp.
We usually come prepared and budget £1 per lp, though they rarely hit this rate, that way we can count the rest as additional savings. With the reduced shipping rates, you’ll get good savings!
steps to use multimedia mail with your records
- Be sure to leave your unsealed packaged vinyl record(s) and bring your packing tape.
- Bring your properly packaged vinyl record to the post office unsealed.
- be sure to have your addresses written on your package. this is just to speed things up for the postal worker.
- let them know you plan to use multimedia mail so they can inspect the contents. depending on the post office and clerk, they may skip this step and just ask you to seal the box.
- once they have inspected the contents of your package, they will ask you to seal your package .
- It is important to request a tracking number at this time. currently, according to usps.com, all media mail is eligible for a free tracking number. all you have to do is ask for the tracking number.
best vinyl record packaging for multimedia mailing
There are tons of options for packaging your vinyl records and mailing them. this makes this shipping method very attractive, as many other methods, such as flat rate, require a package of a certain size and shape.
Some people prefer using the USPS Priority Box #2DPCON-13-B-0008 which measures 12.25 X 2.875 X 13.375 inches when put together. However, if you leave the box flat instead of folding it into a box the record is reported to fit. We do not recommend this if possible as you may have to turn the box inside out, since it is a priority box, and label it as fragile for media mail. If you do not label this as fragile, there is a big chance that the records will be damaged or at a minimum, the jackets and sleeves will be damaged.
we prefer that you buy some vinyl specific boxes like these found here on amazon. this will allow optimal protection for the record, sleeve and sleeves. This may not be feasible if you plan to send just one album to a friend, but if you’re a dealer or seller, you can’t skimp here.
If you just want to ship an album in a standard box, you can get some spare cardboard and cut two pieces to 13 x 13 inches and place the album inside. Tape the cardboard pieces together and place them inside the box to package them for shipping. this will give the album and cover at least some protection. just remember that the post office may want to inspect the contents, so don’t tape it down until they’ve inspected it.
vinyl records are postal mail? a conclusion
Based on our experience and the information we have provided, we believe that vinyl records are considered postal mail and that this is a viable option for shipping your records.
worst case scenario, if your local post office doesn’t agree with you, kindly show them the links on the usps website stating otherwise or just upgrade to priority mail as the same package sizes they still apply for only a small increase in cost. We really don’t want to argue with them over a couple of bucks, but sometimes they may not understand exactly what you’re sending.
would we ship using usps media mail for records?
this depends on personal preference, as indicated in the pros and cons table. if I was just sending a record to a friend as a gift or for them to listen to, I’d probably use priority mail. if i were a store or selling vinyl records online i would probably choose media mail to save money and use priority mail to get my package to my customers faster and with a little more confidence when needed.
I hope you’ve found this article a bit helpful in guiding you through the process of determining whether vinyl records are postage or not, and that you’ve enjoyed some of our packaging tips and tricks. We felt the information needed to be posted in a clear and noticeable way.