Media Mail

  • Thread starter Thread starter evm1024
  • Start date Start date
evm1024

evm1024

New member
I've sent and received a number of tapes and CD via media mail. Just recently I had about 70 pounds of tape sent in one box and for the first time the box was opened for inspection.

Of course this was tape so there was no problem.

So if there is any point to this post it would be that the US post office does inspect media mail packages. First time for me.

--Ethan

PS they left a not inside and stamped the box indicating that there was an inspection.

Might be better to have them inspect it when you ship it and then close it up yourself.
 
I live in a very small town (smallest municipality in regards to land area in Massachusetts) so I've gotten to know the Post Master, who is also the clerk behind the desk, very well. She's very friendly, but has definitely told me about inspecting media mail packages when she has heard bottles rattling together and the like on the inside.

-MD
 
themaddog said:
I live in a very small town (smallest municipality in regards to land area in Massachusetts) so I've gotten to know the Post Master, who is also the clerk behind the desk, very well. She's very friendly, but has definitely told me about inspecting media mail packages when she has heard bottles rattling together and the like on the inside.

-MD
Click to expand...

Word to the wise.

So if you are shipping blank reels (which are not media I expect) put a little sticky shed tape on them (250') and be legal at least technically.

And by the same token if you can let your local post office inspect them before sealing the box up. That way it gets stamped Inspected.

Regards, Ethan
 
evm1024 said:
I've sent and received a number of tapes and CD via media mail. Just recently I had about 70 pounds of tape sent in one box and for the first time the box was opened for inspection.

Of course this was tape so there was no problem.

So if there is any point to this post it would be that the US post office does inspect media mail packages. First time for me.

--Ethan

PS they left a not inside and stamped the box indicating that there was an inspection.

Might be better to have them inspect it when you ship it and then close it up yourself.
Click to expand...

What exactly is Media Mail? Why do they inspect it? Is it a Law to use it? I am curious. I have also heard it is very slow.
VP
 
Victory Pete said:
What exactly is Media Mail? Why do they inspect it? Is it a Law to use it? I am curious. I have also heard it is very slow.
VP
Click to expand...

Quoting from the US post office:

Media Mail® service is a cost efficient way to mail books, sound recordings, recorded video tapes, printed music, and recorded computer-readable media (such as CDs, DVDs, and diskettes). Media Mail can not contain advertising except for incidental announcements of books. The maximum weight for Media Mail is 70 lbs.

And looking at a 70 pound box from the midwest to the west coast:

Express Mail® $257.30
Priority Mail® 2 days 82.85
Parcel Post® 7 days 59.09
Media Mail® 7 days 29.29

Same delivery time as parcel post at half the cost and about 1/3 the cost of priority mail.

Shipping less than 70 pounds can be quite inexpensive.

Regards, Ethan

PS they inspect it to be sure that you are actually shipping media.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top