Media mail comic books

Comic books are not allowed to be mailed via media mail. A very easy and affordable way to ship your comics securely in the mail. I am not certain about the eligibility of comic books, however. No, a comic book is ineligible for media mail prices no matter whether a one time or no advertising. I always am allowed to ship media mail with my comics. Your guide to getting started selling comic books on ebay. 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. Understanding the media mail classification newsletter. Media mail rates are limited to the items listed below. You may include an invoice in your package but may not include catalogs of other media you are offering for sale. Comic books dont meet this standard, and see if it means to you. How does the post office confirm that media mail is actually media mail. Would it not have been much simpler and clearer to say. Media mail is intended for books, cds, and dvds that do not contain advertising.

In this case since these arent comic books like the website states, that those arent allowed, the mangas do contain an isbn. I have no problem with the books as they can go media mail. Kaptainmyke is here today to inform you the correct way to affordably send comic books through the us postal service. Comic books are acceptable in the bound printed matter classification, but most are not acceptable in the media mail classification. I have now received my 3rd batch of comics where i had to pay extra as the package was inspectedand was told comics no longer qualify for media mail. After that, i tend to send them media mail, if routine purchases, or priority mail for the bigdeal items.

Even unbound, loose leaf books can be sent via media mail. Everything in the media mail package must fall under the media mail guidelines. Comic books contain advertisements which makes them unexceptable or unqualified. I have seen some sellers on ebay also state this in there auctions, yet many others claim they continue to send like this with no issues. Usps media mail regulations comics general cgc comic book.

Imo it is nice to be able to offer media mail shipping to your buyers. Almost all comics contain advertising and therefore cannot be shipped media mail. Comic book shipping, mailers, supplies and retailers. The printed media mailer is a versatile shipping product designed for larger comic shipments, magazines, and a variety of books and other printed materials. See, there it is, comics do not meet the standard for media mail. The problem as i understand it is the wording at usps. Here is a guideline on how to properly pack and ship comic books so that they will arrive in perfect condition. Books may contain incidental announcements of other books and sound recordings may contain incidental announcements of other sound recordings. Furthermore, usps specifies that video games, computer drives and digital drives are off limits too. Oh, and your comic books dont count either, as media mail packages may not contain advertising, and comics do, indeed, contain advertising. Books shipping as media mail may contain incidental book announcements.

Media mail shipping is a costeffective way to send educational materials. Completely cover any fragile pieces such as antique books using bubble wrapping. How nitpicky is the post office with regards to media mail. An expensive change at usps for ebay and online sellers. Mar 19, 2020 many people ship packages off everyday. Media mail is just thata class where you can ship many of your media items ex.

Sound recordings and video recordings, such as cds and dvds. How to pack comic books to mail without breaking the law duration. Apr 21, 2007 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. If the package only contains books, and does not include. Media mail is a costeffective option for those who send books, recorded music and other media materials in bulk through the u. Ive been researching but havent been able to find an answer. How to properly pack and ship comic books how to ship. Media mail packages cannot contain advertising of any kind, and usps explicitly forbids comic books from being shipped with media mail. So, since some comic books are being sold with current ads, i do not support the blanket inclusion of comic books in media mail.

Comic book flash mailers fits most comic sizes, tpbs. When i first looked into the rules about use of media mail, it was very confusing, so i went to my local postmaster and asked him if comic books were ok for media mail. Yes, you can ship comic books via media mail without anyone ever opening the package and confiscating them. Bound printed matter shipping rates are similar but usually slightly higher than media mail rates and are based not only on the weight of the package but also the shipping zone ie. Can comics be shipped through the usps as media ra. Almost all comics contain advertising and therefore cannot be shipped media. Do to the shear number of raw books ive seen improperly wrapped in bubble. Items that contain advertising do not qualify for media mail. Packaging media mail should be done using the appropriate method. 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. That being said, why are so many sellers on ebay offering media mail when they ship comic books. Catalogs and magazines can also be shipped by bpm, but are not allowed under media mail because they contain advertising. Can you ship video games and comic books as media mail or. Playscripts and manuscripts for books, periodicals, and music.

Media mail can not contain advertising except for incidental announcements of books. The good thing is that the media mail postage rate is not high, but your shipping time is 2 to 8 days. The postmaster said that both of the lcs near us send all of their outgoing books via media mail and have for years with no usps issues. How do you use the usps media mail shipping service. The usps has become more aware of people shipping non media items like dishes, clothing, etc. Comic books are exempted from not being allowed to contain advertising. This service has restrictions on the type of media that can be shipped. Both of them have told us that the media mail comic book issue has come up a few times and everytime they have asked for clarification, they have been informed that comic books are permitted.

In response to attention from the government and from the media, the us comic book industry set up the comics magazine association of america. Usps media mail regulations cgc comic book collectors. Media mail my understanding that the item shipped has to be. 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 can lower shipping costs if you send magazines, books or cds. One of many ways to ship comic books through the mail. However, many people dont know that you can ship packages off in another class besides first.

I have contacted and my local ic books do not qualify for usps media mail. Media mail service has special eligibility requirements for permissible contents. Same goes with my question with shipping video games. 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.

Usps media mail is not for comic books the ebay community. I wont use media mail unless its an actual hardcoversoftcover book. The types of media allowed are limited, though, and by following this guide you will know what you can and cannot send through. How to mail comic books through the us postal service. Postal service allows you to send books, dvds, cds, printed music, and sound recordings through media mail at a discounted rate. There are many different methods for sending books. I have actually had mail arrive with postage due because of some seller sending me books via media mail.

Jul 15, 20 one of many ways to ship comic books through the mail. I have shipped video games as media mail in the past. For the record, imo usps has the most ridiculous standards regarding comics, but thats another discussio. In addition, comic books and magazines are prohibited from being sent using this rate. It probably would have gone through fine if not for the duffel bag, it was quite obvious it wasnt books in there. I was wondering if anyone ran into a problem with getting delivery confirmation. How to use media mail materials that can be sent through media mail include books, sound and video recordings, scripts, manuscripts, sheet music, educational reference charts and more. 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. I moved, uh, lets just say a lot of boxes of books from ca ak using media mail a while ago. Media mail is a costeffective way to send media materials through the u.

Usps sells packaging materials, but typically they are more expensive there than elsewhere. 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. But, i do not know about comic books as i could not find the answers if i can ship comic books though media mail or first class mail. Comic books and magazines, because of the presence of advertising, cannot be sent by media mail. Petition usps to allow comic books to be shipped via media. For more expensive books i wrap around once side to side and up and down and it fits perfectly and. Ebay should not allow media mail to be an option under the catagory of comic books, as well as any other it.

When did this policy change, and is there anyone that has run into the same issue. We began selling on the internet in 1997 and the rest is history. Comic book flash mailers fits most comic sizes, tpbs, and manga digests. Current administrative policy provides for the mailing of fillin type selfhelp textbooks at media mail prices.

Jan 23, 2020 ask for a discounted price for shipping books. Media mail is for shipping media items containing books, sound recordings, recorded video tapes, printed music, recorded computerreadable media such as cds and dvds. These types of books meet the requirements for media mail shipping. If youve ever been curious about the kind of information, tutorials and advice that youll get as part of your subscription to, this is a good example. Difference between bound printed matter and media mail. Looks like youre trying to figure out are comic books media mail according to the united states postal service. Then, in june of 1977, lone star comics opened its first retail store in arlington, texas. What i do support is redefining comic books to fall in line with every other periodical magazines, if you will. There are several factors to consider when trying to judge what is media mail. The usps has become more aware of people shipping nonmedia items like dishes, clothing, etc. Usps media mail regulations comics general cgc comic. Up to a pointabout four comicsit can add up to being under a pound, and you can send them first class for just a few bucks. Books may contain incidental announcements of other books and. 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.

Sheet music and 16 millimeter or narrower width films can be sent via media mail see above link. You are certainly not violating the spirit of the law by shipping comic books via media mail. The shipping container must weigh less than 70 lbs 32 kg to qualify for media mail. Media pieces can be wrapped using your own packaging materials. We had one professor or college student send multiple very large boxes and a large duffel bag almost like a hockey equipment bag as media mail. I saw somewhere that as long as books have an isbn it should be able to ship through media mail. I took a long box of comic books, packed and sealed to the post office, and put it on the scalethe clerk saidwhy dont you ship these media mail. Media mail is intended for libraries to ship books and sound recordings to one another. 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. The cmaa instilled the comics code authority in 1954 and drafted the selfcensorship comics code that year, which required all comic books to go through a process of approval. During that time, comic fans all over the country and even the world bought from buddys mail order service later named lone star comics. Comics have never been allowed to ship via media mail. You can send books, videotapes, dvds, cds, printed music and other.

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. In this case since these arent comic books like the website. Apr 07, 2008 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. You can also read the article on usps delivery time to know about the delivery time of each usps service. Shipping comic books requires utmost care and attention because some comics can get so expensive. All media mail packages may be subject to inspection by the usps, so its best not. No collector would ever want to received a damaged comics because of poor packaging. When i sell on ebay, these mailers hold up to about ten individually bagged and boarded comics. It features onepiece construction from high quality corrugated material to withstand rough handling during shipment.