I always am allowed to ship media mail with my comics. Each box contains a hodgepodge of hardback and paperback books. The problem as i understand it is the wording at usps. Oh, and your comic books dont count either, as media mail. Trade paperbacks and graphic novels are usually okay for medial mail. You can send books, videotapes, dvds, cds, printed music and other sound recordings through media mail as long as they weigh less than 70 pounds. The usps has become more aware of people shipping non media items like dishes, clothing, etc. Postal is an american comic book series created by matt hawkins, bryan hill, and isaac goodhart and published by top cow productions through image comics. Use for any printed material containing advertising. Find the fastest shipping rate or most affordable shipping cost depending on. Packaging media mail should be done using the appropriate method.
Find the fastest shipping rate or most affordable shipping cost depending on what items youre sending and when you want them delivered. This service has restrictions on the type of media that can be shipped. I have contacted and my local ic books do not qualify for usps media mail. Well, when you ship with media mail the usps reserves the right to open and. Play scripts and manuscripts for books, periodicals, and music. You can also read the article on usps delivery time to know about the delivery time of each usps service. In the light of the recent quasiapocalyptic happenings, were encouraging folks to stay home and read comics by offering free usps media mail rate shipping for just about everything at. The guidelines exclude comic books since individual issues feature multiple advertisements, but graphic novels usually a collection of several comics into one bound edition do not. How to properly pack a comic for shipping cbsi comics.
Comics have never been allowed to ship via media mail. Did you know that with media mail you can ship giant boxes of books across the. Jun 14, 20 comics have never been allowed to ship via media mail. I saw somewhere that as long as books have an isbn it should be able to ship through media mail. I would also recommend priority legal envelopes as well. Usps media mail regulations cgc comic book collectors. So while trades are typically fine, comics, with their wide variety of advertisements, tend to bump into this rule. First off, technically you cannot send comic books via media mail because they contain ads. Media mail service has special eligibility requirements for permissible contents. Stock up on reading material for the uncertain days to come. Usps sells packaging materials, but typically they are more expensive there than elsewhere.
May 10, 2018 i get it, thats a lot of money saved, but here are the major caveats. It should be the sellers responsibility to ensure that the comics get to the buyerand not force the buyer to have to pay for postage due. This service is often used by the usps customers who want to send some media items to the desired destination. The guidelines exclude comic books since individual issues feature multiple advertisements, but graphic novels usually a collection of several comics into one.
These types of books meet the requirements for media mail shipping. How to package a book through media mail bizfluent. For the record, imo usps has the most ridiculous standards regarding comics, but thats another discussio. Understanding the media mail classification newsletter. Review the kinds of items the usps lists as being eligible for media mail. Media mail is a service provided by the united states postal service usps that allows customers to send a variety of mixed media through the mail at a cheaper rate than ordinary packages.
Media mail my understanding that the item shipped has to. The cheapest postal rate is the media mail rate which may be used only for books, including graphic novels, trade paperbacks and hardbacks. Media mail is just about the least expensive shipping method the us postal service offers. The united states postal services media mail service formerly known as book rate is a costefficient method of shipping educational materials, and is calculated purely on weight and size.
Petition usps to allow comic books to be shipped via media. This makes media mail a great option for ecommerce sellers who deal in books and other heavy media items. Each box contains a hodgepodge of hardback and paperback. How does the post office confirm that media mail is actually media mail. Ive been researching but havent been able to find an answer. Current administrative policy provides for the mailing of fillin type selfhelp textbooks at media mail prices. Comic books usually have advertising and even if vintage comic books and the ads are no longer applicable, all comic books are serialized, therefore not eligible for media mail prices. Media mail is a discount that the usps gives to packages that contain media like books parcel post is for all other packages that have. New post office regulations regarding what can and what cant be. In addition to the enclosures and additions listed in 4. Generally, media mail is the cheapest usps mail class for shipping heavy items up to 70 lbs. Not worth it i appreciate that my man, like i said, i was only trying to help keep costs lower for buyers. No, a comic book is ineligible for media mail prices no matter whether a one time or no advertising.
Our products are designed to promote time and cost efficiency while supporting customer satisfaction through the secure shipment and storage of comic books and. Insurance is included with priority mail express and priority mail. Feb 04, 2020 gemini comic mailers shown in this video. What i do support is redefining comic books to fall in line with every other periodical magazines, if you will. I still get tons of books media and 12 the time i am not even aware of it because the seller doesnt advertise it.
So how do you get media mail rates, and more importantly, what qualifies as media mail. Gemini comic supply comic book retail industry providing high quality, innovative comic book. Completely cover any fragile pieces such as antique books using bubble wrapping. Also, any media mail abuse stories out there would be appreciated.
I see alot of people asking for media mail and alot of sellers using it for their shipping methods, but its against the usps rules. The united states postal service offers many services, and one of them is media mail. Gemini comic supply is a familyowned and operated business committed to serving the comic book retail industry by providing high quality, innovative shipping and storage supplies. Just as a notice, any mail not being sent as first class, priority or express mail can be open for inspection, if need be. Unfortunately, comic books and graphic novels do not quality for usps media mail. Media mail shipping is a costeffective way to send educational materials. Items that contain advertising do not qualify for media mail.
Offered through the usps, media mail allows you to inexpensively ship educational materials from your local post office. I occasionally send media and was wondering where in the chain of shipment it is subject to inspection. Always ship media mail products in boxes that are taped really and look like educational materials well so workers will be less likely to search them. Media mail service is a cost efficient way to mail books, sound recordings, recorded video tapes, printed music, and recorded computerreadable media such as cds, dvds, and diskettes. Sound recordings and video recordings, such as cds and dvds. Difference between bound printed matter and media mail. Media pieces can be wrapped using your own packaging materials. The types of media allowed are limited, though, and by following this guide you will know what you can and cannot send through media mail. They are longer and allow you to put in more cardboard. Sheet music and 16 millimeter or narrower width films can be sent via media mail see above link.
In accordance with standards in the mailing standards of the united states postal service, domestic mail manual dmm, section 170, media mail packages must have a delivery address and the senders return address and are subject to inspection by the postal service. The name of the book rate was upgraded to include all formats of media, and thus, media mail was created. One of many ways to ship comic books through the mail. You can print out a sheet of music and include it in a package containing no more than 16 ounces of comic books and the package can be shipped as media mail. When i listed things on ebay, id always have the buyer pay shipping separately.
If you want to ship books, movies, music or other types of media, the usps offers a discounted rate on the shipping costs. Media mail is a usps mail class restricted to the delivery of books, film, audio and other recorded media. Any item that can apply for periodicals is not eligible for media mail and comic books are periodicals publications. People may confuse this with the usps s book rate, but book rate and media mail are actually the same thing. Hi all, i just spent the last few days trying to decipher the usps rules regarding comic books as media mail and thought i would pass along the most uptodate information as of sept 30, 2016. If you send a book in a media mail envelope, you might put a cardboard insert on both sides of the book. I get it, thats a lot of money saved, but here are the major caveats. I think the media mail rule that prohibits most comics is media mail packages may not contain advertising except that books may contain incidental announcements of other books. Usps media mail regulations comics general cgc comic book. Although you wont pay as much to send these items via media mail, they can take longer to get to their. The first issue was released in february 2015 and new installments were released on a nearmonthly basis until its conclusion at issue 25 in january 2018. In this case since these arent comic books like the website.
Order stamps, shipping supplies, and unique items only available from the united states postal service. Thats probably what your postal clerk was thinking of. May 18, 2010 media mail is a discount that the usps gives to packages that contain media like books parcel post is for all other packages that have 3d demention to them and if its over oz it cant go. When using a box to mail books, use an appropriate size and insert packing peanuts, bubble wrap or shipping paper to fill any leftover space. All mail classes including priority mail, firstclass mail and media mail schedule free usps pickups. Comic books and magazines, because of the presence of advertising, cannot be sent by media mail. Ebay should not allow media mail to be an option under the catagory of comic books, as well as any other items that the usps does consider ok for media mail. Mar 04, 2010 how does the post office confirm that media mail is actually media mail. You are certainly not violating the spirit of the law by shipping comic books via media mail.
Playscripts and manuscripts for books, periodicals, and music. Materials that can be sent through media mail include books, sound and video recordings, scripts, manuscripts, sheet music, educational reference charts and more. People may confuse this with the uspss book rate, but book rate and media mail are actually the same thing. How to make your own book mailers to ship books you sell on ebay or amazon for. I havent had that media flag in my box for over 3 years so its very regional how they enforce media mail.
For booksellers and others who mail a lot of information, media mail shipping can help you to save a lot of money. Media mail is a costeffective way to send media materials through the u. Can comics be shipped through the usps as media ra. A few years ago when anyone could mail a single piece of bpm, media mail was the preferred choice for books, and bpm was the preferred choice for printed stuff that didnt qualify for media mail. Shipping comics via usps confused by all the options. Print the recipient address and the return address neatly and clearly with a pen.
Feb 12, 2009 media mail cannot be used as an internet option to ship ebay auction items. Im looking to ship a graphic novel and am wondering if it qualifies for media mailing. How to mail comic books through the us postal service. I ship my books in a padded envelope and a very rude postal worker told me she cant put dc on a. Ebay should not allow media mail to be an option under the catagory of comic books, as well as any other it. Package tracking is included with priority mail express, priority mail, firstclass mail, media mail, retail ground shipping. But many people abuse it, sometimes intentionally, and sometimes unintentionally. Imo it is nice to be able to offer media mail shipping to your buyers.
Even unbound, loose leaf books can be sent via media mail. It is not just media mail that is abused, many times first class material is sent as a parcel post item to save money. But, in order to avoid being charged with mail fraud, be sure you understand exactly what media mail is, and when you can and cannot use it. Your package will only qualify for media mail rates if you dont include anything else in the box or envelope. However, usps does not allow the package to contain anything besides the qualifying media products theyve defined, and they reserve the right to inspect packages to ensure they only contain qualifying media mail items. Media mail rates are limited to the items listed below. So, since some comic books are being sold with current ads, i do not support the blanket inclusion of comic books in media mail. I wont use media mail unless its an actual hardcoversoftcover book. The usps lists the following types of media as eligible for media mail.
Usps standard and express mail services allow you to choose delivery options that fit your needs. Store forum usps says dvdsblu rays not media i was shipping a bluray and the postal employee asked if it was a dvd. Sep 23, 2016 heres the passage on the uspo web site regarding comics and media mail with the pertinent passage in bold. Books may contain incidental announcements of other books and sound recordings may contain incidental announcements of other sound recordings. Usps media mail is not for comic books the ebay community. How to ship to canada with usps guide 2 key reasons to expand business in canada. That being said, why are so many sellers on ebay offering media mail when they ship comic books.
Media mail is addressed just as any other mail shipped with usps is. I dont care what shipping method because i charge them. May 10, 2019 media mail is just about the least expensive shipping method the us postal service offers. Media mail is a costeffective option for those who send books, recorded music and other media materials in bulk through the u. Heres the passage on the uspo web site regarding comics and media mail with the pertinent passage in bold.
How nitpicky is the post office with regards to media mail. Media mail packages cannot contain advertising of any kind, and usps explicitly forbids comic books from being shipped with media mail. The sheet of music is qualified material and comics meet the definition for standard mail. A very easy and affordable way to ship your comics securely in the mail. I was then informed it did not qualify for media mail because the post office has now decided dvdscdsblurays are not media. Media mail is used for books, film, manuscripts, printed music, printed test materials, sound. Media mail shipments are pretty much the lowest priorty packages with the usps. An expensive change at usps for ebay and online sellers. Then we communicate back and forth about what the options were. But i definitely see why you guys dont like media mail and thats why im doing the change. What is difference between book rate and media mail. The return address goes in the upper left corner of the envelope or top of the box. How do you use the usps media mail shipping service.
Media mail is used for books, film, manuscripts, printed music, printed test materials, sound recordings, play scripts, printed educational charts, looseleaf pages and binders consisting of medical information, videotapes, and computerrecorded media like cds and diskettes. Books may contain incidental announcements of other books and. I have actually had mail arrive with postage due because of some seller sending me books via media mail. Kaptainmyke is here today to inform you the correct way to affordably send comic books through the us postal service. In order to be eligible for usps media mail the comic book cannot have ads for things other than comic books. Postal standards provide that bound printed matter is package services mail matter within specified weight limits. Along with many other services provided by usps, media mail is also one of the toprated services offered by the us postal service. Sound recordings and video recordings, in the form of cds and dvds. If you are a seller and a seller of comic books, you should avoid media mail. There was an issue that was last updated by the usps in 2014 apparently involving video games, their decision included, while video games may be read on computers, unlike books or films eligible for media mail prices, which predominantly further educational or informational goals, games, including board games and games in an electronic format. In this case since these arent comic books like the website states, that those arent allowed, the mangas do contain an isbn. Find out how many comics fit into a flat rate box and quote that price for large lots. Media mail is the cheapest way to ship books, vinyl records, or other music with the united states postal service. Comic books contain advertisements which makes them unexceptable or unqualified.
Almost all comics contain advertising and therefore cannot be shipped media mail. Comic book shipping, mailers, supplies and retailers. The good thing is that the media mail postage rate is not high, but your shipping time is 2 to 8 days. Your options for media mail packaging include flat cardboard envelopes, padded envelopes and boxes. Usps offers fast shipping, overnight delivery, and competitive shipping costs for mailing boxes and envelopes.
1196 834 284 543 1285 55 411 1221 817 1234 382 472 713 81 782 485 1073 374 1581 1492 939 1493 222 1026 1296 330 416 502 163 155 65 411 559 1316