USPS Media Mail offers the lowest shipping rates for books, films, manuscripts, and other qualifying media. Here's everything you need to know.
What Qualifies for Media Mail?
- Books (at least 8 pages)
- Sound recordings (CDs, vinyl records)
- Video recordings (DVDs, Blu-ray)
- Printed music (sheet music)
- Educational charts and reference materials
- Manuscripts and printed educational materials
What Does NOT Qualify
- Magazines and periodicals
- Comic books
- Video games
- Computer drives or software
- Any advertising materials
Media Mail Rates
Media Mail starts at about $4.00 for the first pound and increases by roughly $0.50 per additional pound. It's significantly cheaper than Priority Mail or Ground Advantage for heavy items like books. A 5-pound box of books costs about $6.00 via Media Mail compared to $12+ via Ground Advantage.
Delivery Time
Media Mail typically takes 2-8 business days, though it can occasionally take longer. USPS does not guarantee delivery dates for Media Mail. Packages may be subject to inspection to verify contents qualify.