USPS Store
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Boxes | USPS.com
Shipping Supplies Boxes · Priority Mail Flat Rate® Small Box · Single, Pack of 10 or 25 · 8-11/16"(L) x 5-7/16"(W) x 1-3/4"(H) $0.00 · Priority Mail Flat Rate® Medium Box · Single, Pack of 10 or 25 · 11-1/4"(L) x 8-3/4"(W) x 6"(H) $0.00 · Priority Mail Flat Rate® Side-Loading Medium Box ·
USPS Store
store.usps.com › store › results › free-shipping-supplies › shipping-supplies › _ › N-alnx4jZ7d0v8v
Shipping Supplies | Free Shipping Supplies | USPS.com
Shop our selection of Free Shipping Supplies Shipping Supplies on the USPS.com Postal Store
Videos
USPS Store
store.usps.com › postal store › shipping supplies › priority mail® medium cube-shaped box
Priority Mail® Medium Cube-Shaped Box | USPS.com
The Postal Service® has simplified your Priority Mail® shipping process, offering the easy-to-use Priority Mail® Medium Cube-Shaped Box. This unique, cube-shaped box accommodates a variety of items such as clothing, books, and hats.
USPS
usps.com › ship › mail-shipping-services.htm
Mail & Shipping Services | USPS
Domestic deliveries arrive in 2-3 days4 depending on where your package starts and where it's going. Tracking and insurance are included, shipping boxes and envelopes are free, and with Priority Mail Flat Rate®, you don't need to weigh shipments ...
USPS Store
store.usps.com › postal store › shipping supplies › priority mail® large box
Priority Mail® Large Box | USPS.com
The Postal Service® has simplified your Priority Mail® shipping process, offering the easy-to-use Priority Mail® Top-Loading Large Box. This rectangular–shaped box accommodates a variety of items such as clothing, books, and hats.
Reddit
reddit.com › r/usps › shipping books and other items for a move
r/USPS on Reddit: Shipping books and other items for a move
May 31, 2021 -
Hi!
I'm currently planning a move (New England to Midwest/Zone 6). I don't have a license and the timeline is short, so UHauls are out and moving services are tough/pricey for my timing. I have some electronics (can take these on the plane), a bunch of bulky items I plan to sell, and some books/mid-size items (almost all will fit in a large moving box) I need to ship. I'm guessing the books would fill 20-30 large flat rate boxes, and the other stuff might fill a half-dozen moving boxes.
My current plan is to ship the books by media mail or flat rate box and other items (clothing, some personal effects, etc.) in retail ground boxes. I have three suitcases for anything I can fit/need right away.
Aiming to stay around $1000-$1500 for non-flight costs. I will be reimbursed for (reasonable) expenses, so if there's an extremely useful service that just comes with a small added cost that's an option.
My questions
Any obvious pitfalls/things I missed?
Would moving boxes survive retail ground handling or should I get something sturdier?
I saw online priority mail items could be scheduled for pickup at my house. Does this include flat rate boxes?
Would I need to make special arrangements given the number/weight of items involved?
Guessing I'd need to drop the retail ground boxes off at the local office - any alternatives? Things I should know or plan ahead?
Really appreciate any answers you can provide to make this smooth and avoid creating massive hassle for my carrier.
Edit: media mail seems like the best option for books. Would I need any special boxing for (e.g.) 30 pounds of books in a box? Still curious to hear answers on flat rate boxes with regards to a few other items I might send, but that would be 4-5 boxes' worth.
Top answer 1 of 4
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Do not put books in flat rate boxes. Books can go media mail in plain boxes.
2 of 4
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If you schedule a pick up online, the carrier will pick up anything that’s out there, even if it’s more or less than what you declared would be there. Send books media mail; it’s cheaper but it will probably take longer, and they may be opened for inspection. Also, even if you don’t schedule a pick up online, if you put outgoing packages of any postage in an obvious location for pick up, any decent carrier will just pick them up anyway, just as if you had outgoing letters in your mailbox
Reddit
reddit.com › r/selfpublish › recommended boxes/mailers and methods to ship 6 x 9 paperback and hardcover books
r/selfpublish on Reddit: Recommended boxes/mailers and methods to ship 6 x 9 paperback and hardcover books
February 14, 2024 -
I realize that there are already several posts on this topic, but since rates and shipping methods have recently changed for the major carriers (i.e., USPS Ground Advantage) I wanted to get updated advice if possible. I'm planning to ship over 100 advanced copies (6 x 9 trim paperback and hardcover) and am looking for the best boxes or padded mailers as well as the most cost-effective method to ship these within the Unites States. Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Top answer 1 of 4
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For my 6" x 9" hardcover book, I use ULINE S-11215 mailers and two 12" x 12" squares of Duck bubble wrap . If you ship via USPS Media Mail, you get a tracking number, and it shows up in 2-8 business days. For my book, which is about 2 pounds, the whole thing costs $7.22 to pack and ship -- $1.61 for the mailer and bubble wrap, and $5.61 for the USPS shipping (after the recent rate increase). This is kind of a premium solution, though :) It's thick (1-2 layers of cardboard and bubble wrap on every side) and waterproof if you seal it well, but it's expensive and time-consuming. I do it because mostly the only people ordering my hardcover edition are friends and family -- strangers buy the paperback or Kindle versions! I've noticed that online booksellers who drop-ship my hardcover directly from IngramSpark use "UPS Mail Innovations" (where UPS hands it over to USPS for economy shipping), which has a tracking number but seems somehow cheaper than USPS Media Mail. They ship the book in a stiff paper package that gum-seals around all four sides in a wide flange, kind of like a giant ravioli. The envelope has a thin layer of plastic on the inside, not bubble wrap but a slight bit of extra protection. Based on the price they're charging for the book, my guess is that this costs them maybe $6.00 all up. But this option seems to be available only to large customers. For reference, if I were to order a single copy of the same book from IngramSpark myself, and have them ship it to my customer, they would charge me $9.69 for the shipping, though this presumably includes some handling charge as well. They charge $17.39 to ship a carton of 12 of the books, which works out to $1.45 per book. So I order them sent to me by the carton, then ship them to customers myself :)
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I prefer boxes to bubble mailers myself because it reduces the risk of the book getting tossed around and beat up in transit, but boxes are obviously more expensive, so that's more of a personal choice. I get my boxes from Amazon since I sell physical copies in small batches, but for larger quantities like you're talking, ULINE is the way to go. That's where I get my packing paper. They sell bulk shipping supplies at good prices as long as you buy enough of them. As far as shipping goes, as long as you're sending just the book and nothing else, you can use media mail, but it's a little slower and won't have tracking. If you put anything else in the boxes besides the book, you can't use media mail.
USPS Store
store.usps.com › store › shipping-supplies
Shipping Supplies - Postal Store - USPS
Free Shipping Supplies (47) Priority Mail (47) Prepaid Priority Mail (7) Forms and Labels (15) Sustainable Supplies (27) Boxes (24) Envelopes (16) Military Supplies (27) Scales & Accessories (4) International (18) ReadyPost Packaging (7) Priority Mail Express (11) Show More ·
Easyship
easyship.com › blog › what-can-you-ship-with-media-mail
USPS Media Mail: The Cheapest Way to Ship Books | Easyship
December 11, 2025 - The USPS Media Mail rates are based ... items like books and bulk shipments. In one USPS rate comparison, shipping a 10 lb box of books cost about $8.86 with Media Mail vs....
ShipStation
shipstation.com › home › cheapest way to ship books: best practices, costs, and carrier options
Cheapest Way to Ship Books: Best Practices, Costs, and Carrier Options
February 8, 2022 - Consider investing in book boxes shipping specifically designed for standardized book shipment. Avoid oversized boxes—extra space means extra protection and less DIY taping risk. There’s no single “best” method—it depends on weight, urgency, and budget. USPS Media Mail is typically the cheapest way to ship books, especially for non-urgent deliveries.
The GradCafe
forum.thegradcafe.com › grad school life › officially grads
Shipping 30 lbs of textbooks via USPS media mail - how to find a proper box? - Officially Grads - The GradCafe Forums
August 8, 2013 - E.g. https://qph.is.quoracdn.net/main-qimg-f684fc759db65d357a228d2b4892dec2 This is like 30 pounds of books in a thin cardboard box (there are some massive textbooks on the bottom, like Atkins' Physical Chemistry). I'm not even sure if the cardboard box can handle it all without falling apart. Ho...
TSI Shipping
tsishipping.com › home › resource center › the cheapest way to ship books
Affordable Book Shipping Options | TSI Shipping
For packages over 13 ounces, Priority Mail flat rate shipping is the cheapest way to ship boxes of books. Priority Mail flat rate shipments will be delivered within 1-3 business days, and you must use USPS packaging.
USPS
faq.usps.com › s › article › What-is-Media-Mail-Book-Rate
USPS.com FAQs
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eFulfillment Service
efulfillmentservice.com › home › the best way to ship books: a complete guide for individuals and businesses
The Best Way to Ship Books: A Complete Guide for Individuals and Publishers
July 23, 2025 - Seal the package securely with strong packing tape, focusing on all seams to avoid accidental openings. USPS Media Mail is the most cost-effective option for shipping books within the United States.
Wikihow
wikihow.com › education and communications › postal system › how to ship media mail: 10 steps (with pictures) - wikihow
How to Ship Media Mail: 10 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow
February 24, 2025 - Answer, you can't. I was looking forever on the USPS site trying to find the answer. It's probably buried in its pages somewhere."..." more ... "Getting ready to mail two large cartons of comic books I've held for years for my kids. Ready to ship and they gave me the money; more space in my garage is an extra bonus."..." more ... "My question was whether I could use a box, or if I had to use a large bubble envelope.
Quora
quora.com › What-are-some-tips-for-shipping-a-bunch-of-textbooks-via-USPS-media-mail
What are some tips for shipping a bunch of textbooks via USPS media mail? - Quora
Answer (1 of 2): An option I've used both nationally and internationally is to pack books into a suitcase and send that. If it's a national delivery you may find a bus service which will take the suitcase and you used to be able to send suitcases on their own via air, although this may no longer ...
Ship.com
ship.com › post › the-best-and-cheapest-way-to-ship-books
The Best and Cheapest Way to Ship: Books | Ship.com | Shipping Made Simple
USPS rates are the best for small packages. For light, single books under 1lb, USPS First-Class is the cheapest choice. If your package is over 1lb, Priority Mail flat-rate should be your go-to.
USPS Store
store.usps.com › postal store › shipping supplies › priority mail flat rate® medium box
Priority Mail Flat Rate® Medium Box | USPS.com
An order of 1 equals single boxes, a pack of 10 or 25 boxes depending on your selection under Format. Additional Information: - Can be used for Domestic Priority Mail and International Priority Mail (20 lb weight limit applies).
USPS Store
store.usps.com › postal store › shipping supplies › priority mail® side-loading medium box
Priority Mail® Side-Loading Medium Box | USPS.com
The Postal Service has simplified your Priority Mail® shipping process by offering this easy-to-use Priority Mail® Side-Loading Medium Box. This popular garment box accommodates a variety of items such as clothing, books, board games and other ...
USPS Store
store.usps.com › store › results › shipping-supplies-boxes › boxes › _ › N-u9qwm0Zyz4qdp
Boxes | Boxes | USPS.com
Shop our selection of Boxes Shipping Supplies on the USPS.com Postal Store