![]() ![]() With that, USPS is too busy to check every single Media Mail package each day. Essentially, USPS’ methodology is more spot-check than a systematic review. Yes, USPS does verify the contents of Media Mail, but not as much as you’d think. Still, it’s essential to keep in mind that it could take longer depending on how far it has to travel and how busy USPS is. How Long Does USPS Media Mail Take?Īccording to USPS, Media Mail takes between two to eight business days to arrive. If that’s the case, you or the recipient will have to pay the difference between the Media Mail rate and the First-Class or Priority Mail rate. However, it’s more likely that the package will either be returned or be held for postage due by the recipient. Technically speaking, USPS could charge you for mail fraud. In other words, if you try to sneak in a few extra items in your book shipment, USPS can open the package, see that you’re not just sending books, and penalize you. In addition, Media Mail insurance costs extra.įinally, Media Mail is cheap because it’s the only class of mail the postal service can legally open and verify the contents. With that, if a Media Mail package has to be forwarded or returned, the recipient or the sender will have to pay the extra postage before getting the box. In fact, on a cross-country trip, a Priority Mail package will be delivered four times faster than a Media Mail package.Ī third reason why Media Mail is inexpensive is that it’s a bare-bones service.įor instance, whereas Priority Mail includes up to $50 of insurance and is forwarded or returned for free, Media Mail only gets a one-way ticket. That said, Media Mail arrives in two to eight business days but can take longer. Moreover, Media Mail is so affordable because it’s slow compared to other shipping methods. To do this, USPS carries books and other educational materials at a loss (i.e., for no profit), which is one primary reason Media Mail is so cheap. Since President Roosevelt created the program in 1938, the goal has always been to encourage people to send educational materials through the mail. USPS has been subsidizing Media Mail for over 80 years. So, let’s take a closer look at each of these reasons. Namely, it’s a heavily-subsidized USPS service.Īlso, it’s slower than other shipping methods, includes only the most basic options, and is subject to compliance checks. Media Mail is inexpensive for a few reasons. Weight doesn’t exceed ten pounds: $8.86Īdditionally, Media Mail packages can weigh up to 70 pounds, but I’ve only included shipping prices up to ten pounds in the interest of space.Weight doesn’t exceed nine pounds: $8.23.Weight doesn’t exceed eight pounds: $7.60.Weight doesn’t exceed seven pounds: $6.97.Weight doesn’t exceed six pounds: $6.34.Weight doesn’t exceed five pounds: $5.71.Weight doesn’t exceed four pounds: $5.08.Weight doesn’t exceed three pounds: $4.45.Weight doesn’t exceed two pounds: $3.82. ![]() However, if your package falls between weights (for example, 2.6 pounds), you must round up to three pounds and pay the shipping fee for three-pound items.įurthermore, here’s a breakdown of Media Mail shipping rates based on weight: Media Mail prices start at $3.19 and increase based on weight per pound. How Much Does It Cost To Ship A Book With USPS? In fact, for shipments under one pound, which is more than most individual books, Media Mail costs just $3.19.Īs a comparison, Priority Mail pricing starts at $7.95 and goes up depending on the size and weight of the package.Īs you can see, that makes Media Mail more than 50% cheaper than Priority Mail. Media Mail is the cheapest option for shipping books through USPS. If you’re curious about how much Media Mail shipping costs and want to know more about how to use this service, then keep reading! What Is The Cheapest Way To Ship A Book With USPS? On average, packages sent via Media Mail cost more than 50% less than other shipping options and usually arrive in two to eight business days. In addition to Priority Mail and Priority Mail Express, the postal service provides highly reduced shipping rates through its Media Mail program. USPS offers several options for customers shipping books as of 2023. 1.7 Conclusion USPS Book Shipping In 2023 ![]()
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