How To Package Cds For Shipping

Sometimes you need to send books, CDs, and other small media items through the mail. Simply it tin get expensive. If you want to save a fortune, keep reading this post.

Media Mail service is a cheaper way to ship items like books, educational materials, manuscripts and other media. With USPS Media Mail service tracking, you lot tin save money and follow know precisely where your books, binders and more are.

Whether y'all're aircraft a bulk order of textbooks or sending printed music in the mail, you'll want to know how to utilise USPS Media Mail Tracking.

Media Mail is a subclass of the USPS Package Services. Whether you're sending personal media items or y'all accept a business organisation that ships media on a regular basis, the principal reason to use USPS Media Mail is to take advantage of the cost savings.

USPS Media Mail pros:

The number one reason to transport items by the USPS media postal service is that information technology'due south cheap.

If you send media items on a regular basis, or even demand a one-fourth dimension shipment, y'all can save a ton of money past using USPS Media Mail. For instance, Priority Mail Express starts at $26.95 for a flat rate envelope. Media Mail prices start at $iii.19 for an item one pound or less.

But what are the downsides? Let'due south talk over.

USPS Media Mail cons:

Yous can save coin by using USPS Media Postal service, but in that location are a few things that you demand to be enlightened of:

• Shipping time can be a fiddling longer, betwixt two-8 business organisation days.
• USPS Media Mail rules are strict on what you lot can and cannot transport.
• At that place's no insurance coverage unless y'all buy it at an extra price.
• USPS can inspect your package to verify that it only contains items that qualify for Media Mail service.

USPS Media Mail needs are very specific. The maximum weight of your parcel is lxx pounds. Beyond that, there are restrictions on what type of media you tin can and cannot send.

You lot tin can ship the following items with USPS Media Mail:

• Books (at least 8 pages).
• Sound recordings and video recordings, such as CDs and DVDs.
• Play scripts and manuscripts for books, periodicals, and music.
• Printed music.
• Estimator-readable media containing prerecorded information and guides or scripts prepared solely for utilise with such media.
• Sixteen millimeters or narrower width films.
• Printed test materials and their accessories.
• Printed educational reference charts.
• Loose-leaf pages and their binders consisting of medical information for distribution to doctors, hospitals, medical schools, and medical students.

You cannot send

• Video games.
• Estimator drives.
• Digital drives.

That doesn't mean yous can't send them past Media Mail, just that y'all won't save money by shipping with the Media Post service. A package sent past USPS Media Mail tin but incorporate those items on the "immune" list.

Let's apply the example of a book subscription, a service that is getting more than popular.

Suppose you lot or a business desire to send subscription boxes by Media Mail. You can do this as long every bit there are but books contained in the bundle. You wouldn't be able to include other items like shirts or pens. For this, your box would take to be sent through another USPS service.

That means yous tin can't combine media with other items if yous desire to take reward of the Media Mail prices. You tin can't include personal notes or cards

This isn't an ideal situation but can be a viable option for when y'all want to send multiple types of the same affair.

Other USPS Media Mail rules to watch out for

Along with the policy of only sending 1 detail blazon per shipment, you will have to adhere to a strict USPS Media Mail ban on placing whatever advertising in your package.

As a upshot, USPS states that comic books and graphic novels do not meet the standard for Media Postal service.

USPS also explains that books and audio recordings "may contain incidental announcements" of other books or other audio recordings. That means if the volume includes a observe of another volume - similar the next in a series - it's fair game to include in the bundle. Simply paid advertizement or classified ads can't exist placed in the package.

You can as well include items such as a document that describes the contents of the box, instructions and directions for the use of the detail mailed, a document that outlines corrections to the printed material, or bills and invoices.

Your mail will be butterfingers from the Media Mail service if USPS finds advertising, and you will have to pay more money with a service like Priority Mail.

While USPS will nevertheless transport your packet, you'll lose the benefit of saving money. In fact, the package may be sent to the recipient as "postage due," significant that either person getting your package has to pay, or, you may be asked for boosted postage stamp.

This brings up another important point.

USPS has the right to check your package to be sure it simply includes only those items allowed under the Media Postal service requirements. If you're wondering how they would find advertising in your package, that'southward how.

Basically, yous consent to postal inspection of the contents when you mail items with USPS Media Post.

USPS Media Postal service rates

USPS Media Post charges per pound or fraction thereof for the bundle. Any fraction of a pound is considered a whole pound. The minimum postage per slice is for one pound, which starts at $three.19 for retail and $one.91 for commercial pricing.

Commercial mail service includes two services, a 5-digit presort and a bones presort, where you'll find a slight variation in prices. The presorted rates are available for bulk quantities of at least 300 packages.

Y'all can likewise access the USPS media mail calculator for retail mail and for commercial postal service.

You can choose to pay for extra services, similar delivery confirmation. Merely so yous won't get the full advantage of the low prices of Media Mail service.

If yous're sending a bunch of packages at once, then each one will be weighed separately. If the packages are all the aforementioned, a random group of at least 10 of them volition exist weighed, and the total weight divided by the number of packages to determine the weight and cost per item.

There are a few different ways to get about this. Beneath, I outline your best options for ways to package and send your Media Mail items and walk you through the process step by step.

So what are the all-time packaging materials?

You can utilise an envelope to parcel your Media Post, for instance, if you lot're sending a single CD.

In that case, there are USPS guidelines for the envelope too as placement of the CD. It must be held in place to stop information technology from shifting more than one-half an inch in any direction. The maximum disc size is iv.7 inches in diameter and 0.08 of an inch thick.

Yous tin also apply a box for your media items, equally long every bit the package weighs 70 pounds or less, and measures a maximum of 108 inches in combined length and distance around the thickest role.

USPS Media Mail packing materials guidelines

USPS has guidelines for conscientious packing of materials. Hither are a few of their tips:

• Cull a box with plenty room for cushioning textile around the contents.
• Cull a sturdy box such as paperboard or corrugated fiberboard.
• If you're reusing a box, remove all previous labels and markings.
• Place cushioning all around your particular or items. Options for cushioning include newspaper, foam "peanuts," or shredded paper. Close and milk shake the box to see if you have plenty cushioning or you lot demand to add more.
• Place an actress accost label with the delivery and render addresses inside the bundle. That makes sure your parcel volition arrive fifty-fifty if labels fall off – which could happen if the packet gets inspected by the USPS.
• If your package is heavy or dense, get-go with a sturdy box, pack the contents securely with a stiff textile for bracing, and tape all the edges with reinforced tape.
• Tape the opening of your box and reinforce all seams with two-inch-wide packing record. Exercise not apply cord, string, twine, masking, or cellophane tape.

Additional Media Mail standards

• You must set flat-size pieces like envelopes that do not meet certain eligibility standards as packages.
• You can send two or more flats (large envelopes) as a single slice if they are about the aforementioned size or shape. You must deeply wrap or spike them together, and you cannot exceed the weight or size limits.

In that location are some size restrictions for self-service.

Yous tin can't use postage stamps on Media Mail pieces that weigh more than than x ounces, or measure more than one-half-inch in thickness - if y'all want to eolith them yourself in a collection box, or by Postal Service foyer drop, Post dock, customer mailbox, or other unattended location.

Instead, yous will have to accept the package to an employee at a retail service counter in a Postal Service facility. Be aware that if y'all practice not nowadays the items correctly, they volition be returned to you for proper entry and acceptance.

Pro tip: Some residents can use the USPS Pickup on Demand service for a fee, instead of using a local post function. You can find out more than on the USPS website.

How to label your USPS Media package

You must:

1. Include a delivery address with the right ZIP Code or ZIP+4 code, placed in the middle of the parcel.
2. Include your return address in the top left corner.
3. Impress "Media Mail" on each piece in the postage area (you may also print this on the shipping accost label).
4. Put the paid postage stamp in the top right corner.

Once your packet or packages are fix, here are the five steps to sending a Media Mail service package:

1. Characterization the packet with the delivery accost and your (sender's) accost.
2. If you're new to using Media Mail, it's best to visit a postal service office in person and get advice and aid from the USPS employee.
3. Your detail volition be weighed and priced.
4. Pay for the shipment.
5. Be sure to save the information with your tracking number.

When you send a packet with Media Postal service, the lower price ways it takes a little longer to ship than some of the other mailing options. It also means yous don't have added services similar insurance. However, you do have the option to pay for additional services:

• Signature Confirmation for packages only
• Insurance
• Render Receipt
• Collect on Delivery

Media Mail service includes USPS media mail service tracking for packages, so you can know the estimated delivery date and fourth dimension, and you know where your packages are.

USPS media mail tracking works the same as other USPS tracking. Your USPS Tracking number volition exist 22 digits and start with the number ix. Hither's where you volition find it:

• The shipping receipt from the Postal service Office
• The electronic mail confirmation if you decided to send using USPS.com or with an online retailer
• The sales receipt for insurance, if yous purchased it
• The bottom portion of the tracking label that peels off

Then you lot enter the tracking number in the USPS tracking tool. You can add together upwards to 35 numbers at in one case, separated by commas.

You can too runway your USPS Media Mail package with the Circuit Bundle Tracker app, bachelor for Android or iOs.

Its handy map view volition show exactly where your package is, or y'all can use information technology to follow the packet'southward full "journeying." A simple search lets you track packages from anywhere in the globe. You tin can customize your alerts, and go an instant notification when there are changes to your delivery.

It's one more way to keep runway of your USPS Media Mail delivery, and combined with the USPS Media Mail service, is a cheaper way to ship specific media items.

Ofttimes asked questions about USPS Media Post

Does USPS really check Media Mail?

Yes, USPS reserves the right to inspect Media Mail. They can open and check the contents to exist certain the items enclosed are on the Media Mail requirements list. Businesses have reported that packages accept been opened, with customers sometimes reporting that the re-packaging was done poorly.

Why is Media Postal service so inexpensive?

The The states Post first created Media Mail dorsum in 1938. The goal was to offer a less expensive fashion to mail service books to encourage the flow of educational materials through the mail. Originally called "Volume Rate," it was later expanded as engineering created new items that could withal be considered educational, similar films, CDs and DVDs.

Tin can you file a claim on Media Mail?

If you have paid for insurance on your package and it gets lost or damaged, then you lot can file an insurance claim. You demand to complete a course with all the documentation needed, including prove of insurance and proof of value. If the item is damaged, you take to retain the item, packaging and all contents until the merits is resolved. If y'all don't take insurance, you won't be able to file a claim.

Exercise calendars count equally Media Mail?

No, calendars can not be sent as Media Mail. Another shipping option would have to be used to transport calendars.

Forget about the loftier toll of stamps! If y'all're looking for a great, affordable fashion to ship your books, manuscripts and other items that yous ship on an irregular basis, USPS Media Mail is the shipping method for you lot. You'll save money and be able to track your parcel every step of the way.

Already using USPS Media Post? Rail your package now.

Source: https://getcircuit.com/package-tracker/blog/how-to-use-usps-media-mail-tracking

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