11-09-2019 12:16 PM
So last night i saw video on making cardboard box out of used cardboard. . this guy was making for a Video game. I thought could this be aptive for music cds.?
below this point is one i made. just a prototype
Prototype image 3
just like to know if can be accept for Media mail
11-09-2019 12:48 PM - edited 11-09-2019 12:50 PM
So far as I know there is no specific box or package requirements for Media Mail.
Whether or not Media Mail can be used is based on the CONTENTS.
Bear in mind that, unlike other mail categories, Media Mail can be opened and inspected by the post office at their sole discretion with no prior permission required. So if you make your own box be sure it can be opened and resealed easily.
And bear in mind that if you misuse Media Mail they will back charge you big time for additional postage.
11-09-2019 01:11 PM
11-09-2019 02:11 PM
11-09-2019 02:20 PM
As long as the boxes are used for Media Mail items, it's ok. A certain community member turns Amazon boxes inside out and tapes them up to get a plain box.
11-09-2019 04:46 PM
What you have pictured won't fly as there are no ends. You don't want the item exposed to the elements through and open end.
BUT, I will say this - what you have pictured is close to what I do with books and THEN put that "box" inside of a PFRE. You could do the same inside a normal bubble mailer. I call this a box in a bag!
Also in agreement with the other poster - get yourself some 2-in wide sipping tape. imho, tape is not a place where you want to scrimp or be cheap.
For CDs I might wrap them in bubble wrap first and then build a box around them before tossing the whole thing into a bubble mailer.
11-10-2019 12:48 AM - edited 11-10-2019 12:52 AM
nothing wrong with using it for media. Done it for books. Cd's I just use 6x10 bubble mailers mostly from save purchases and reused. have bought some in bulk very cheap. Sometimes sandwiched them between cardboard pieces in the envelope.
A suggestion on the box making would be to cut a square piece out of each corner. leaving you a piece shaped like a plus sign. that way with your item being In the middle you have flaps that will fold up on all sides. this will leave the ends covered. The size you cut from each corner can vary depending on the size of your item.
I would still package the item in something. either bubble wrap, poly mailer or at least plastic to give it water protection. the corners on this type of mailer can have some small gaps.
11-10-2019 12:58 AM
I have made my own boxes out of used ones for years and not once have I had any issues or had anything returned by USPS. I also ship several items under media mail, many books and movies. Never had any issues with media mail. As long as your box is sturdy enough to be shipped. My criteria is if the box can stand to be thrown against a wall and not break open then it's good enough for shipping. Best of luck to you....
11-10-2019 05:00 AM
Your prototype is close to how my wife used to receive books mailed from the bookstore. The difference was in the middle trifold section you have is cut straight across from the left and right section but the middle section from the bookstore had some extra cardboard on top and bottom so they could be folded over to cover the open ends.
I learned when I ship media mail I get it all ready but I take it to the post office opened up and I let them see it is just a book only and then I can finish putting it together in front of them. This way it is put back together my way and their slip is inserted and stamped it was inspected already so it won't get reopened mid journey.
otherwise I have witnessed them opening up media mail items and just throwing out the stuffing and just putting the item back in and it is loose to bounce around now. I don't like how they do it so I make sure it is packed properly.
You might not have a problem being inspected or not mid trip but the little post office I use inspects ALL media mail shipped out or coming in that wasn't stamp so I make sure I am there when they inspect mine for a piece of mind. I sure was glad I was their when I sent out my Edgar Allen Poe set (23 book set) other wised it would have arrived with a few books damaged the way they were going to repack it.
11-10-2019 06:41 AM
Make a book fold
I do this all the time, I slip the whole thing into a poly mailer. I do not do this for collectible books, though. Those get a proper box.