boxes for Media mail?

[tazgma311]

So i have a simple question. right now in my hands i have small flat rate box that i like to use to ship out cds , is possible to use Priority mail small flat rate box with meida mail?

current have no paddle bubble mailers that can use with cds and dvds i be getting. just wonder if small flat rate boxes is option

[glyph01 · Accepted solution]

@tazgma311 

No, you'll be charged the priority mail small box flat rate.

You need your own packaging and a paid postage label that's specifically designated as media mail.

[tazgma311]

thank you for the info. just have to wait for bubble mailer i order

[judydu2]

You can buy bubble mailers at Family Dollar and Dollar General stores or Walmart even. That can get you through until your order comes in.

[lja440]

Do you have a plain box or some cardboard ?

I often make my own T mailers. 

Take your stack of CD's, Mark at the top and the roll the stack downward (end back end and front again) making a line a bit wider than the cases. At the top give yourself the height of the stack and half the width. This will give you a large block T. Cut it out. Place the CD's in the upper center and fold the top arms up and to the middle and secure. Now roll this down and over to make the box. This will give you a good solid container for your CD's. 

[7606dennis]

No!  PM shipping materials may only be used for shipping via Priority Mail.

[packratville]

I sometimes need to make my own boxes too, but hadn't made this type before.

Since I understand things more when I see something, I looked online for a video that might show what you were describing. I found this on YouTube and just gave it a try - my CD box came out pretty good. The only thing I would recommend based on the video is to be sure to use a clean box or clean piece of cardboard. I just tried it with a piece of cardboard from a box flap. I also use a tool to score lines for bending (I think some people use a pizza cutter or lightly score with a box cutter):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pF2yslz-uk 

[qatara]

And  if  there  is a  Publix  where  they   live there too.

[sweetrepeatznmore]

Priority Mail boxes are great and well made. What I have done in the past is use them for shipping, but not as priority mail. I have purchased a roll of brown paper and covered the box with it, similar to wrapping a present. Utilize the clear packaging tape. You can utilize their free boxes, but change the postage cost. Works like a charm! Also, I have purchased the large roll of bubble wrap, cheapest at Walmart, and utilize that in lieu of the bubble wrap envelopes. Overall  cheaper. If you need to, you can make pockets by cutting the wrap to the size you need and use the clear package tape to hold it. That also works like a charm! Hope that helps!

SweetRepeatz'nMore

[iaintdoingit]

---

@sweetrepeatznmore wrote:

Priority Mail boxes are great and well made. What I have done in the past is use them for shipping, but not as priority mail. I have purchased a roll of brown paper and covered the box with it, similar to wrapping a present. Utilize the clear packaging tape. You can utilize their free boxes, but change the postage cost. Works like a charm! Also, I have purchased the large roll of bubble wrap, cheapest at Walmart, and utilize that in lieu of the bubble wrap envelopes. Overall  cheaper. If you need to, you can make pockets by cutting the wrap to the size you need and use the clear package tape to hold it. That also works like a charm! Hope that helps!

SweetRepeatz'nMore

---

You using PM boxes for another service will catch up with you.   Simply covering the boxes with brown paper to hide the 'wrongful use' is not worth it.

The USPS is cracking down of misuse of their free boxes.  And and and -- get a buyer that knows the rules and turns you in may be just an 'eye opener' for you!

[bluelinemetalsllc]

---

@sweetrepeatznmore wrote:

Priority Mail boxes are great and well made. What I have done in the past is use them for shipping, but not as priority mail. I have purchased a roll of brown paper and covered the box with it, similar to wrapping a present. Utilize the clear packaging tape. You can utilize their free boxes, but change the postage cost. Works like a charm! Also, I have purchased the large roll of bubble wrap, cheapest at Walmart, and utilize that in lieu of the bubble wrap envelopes. Overall  cheaper. If you need to, you can make pockets by cutting the wrap to the size you need and use the clear package tape to hold it. That also works like a charm! Hope that helps!

SweetRepeatz'nMore

---

And this is part of the reason the cost of shipping goes up and up and up....people misusing the "free" shipping supplies. Going to give you the benefit of the doubt here and assume you were not aware that what you are doing is against USPS rules and overall hurts us all. USPS *will* catch on and nail you for it. Now you know. 

[iaintdoingit]

https://www.thebalancesmb.com/usps-supply-misuse-fines-4037892 

Covering Priority Mail Boxes With Paper 

This is another big no-no. In fact, covering a box in paper is not a good idea for any shipping service because the paper can get caught in the processing machines during transit and ripped off. The package will end up in the undeliverable package graveyard and can't be returned to the seller or delivered to the buyer because there is no longer information on the package.

As for Priority Mail supplies, covering them in paper is a blatant attempt to circumvent paying the fees for Priority Mail. Just don't do it.

Fines, Unhappy Customers, and Shoddy Shipping

The USPS can assess a fine for customers who misuse Priority Mail supplies, and this is clearly stated in the disclaimer on the supplies. So, maybe you won't get caught when your improperly packaged item is dropped in the mail or picked up by the mail carrier, but the buyer might pay the price.

When Priority Mail supplies are misused, the item can be delivered to the customer with postage due. The buyer will receive a notice to pick up the package at their post office, and they will be charged a fee for the postage that was upgraded to the Priority Mail service due to the supplies used.

By taking this shortcut to try and save a few pennies, sellers are inconveniencing buyers with a trip to the post office and requiring the buyer to pay extra to get his item. This is a very effective way to get negative feedback from customers and low marks on your eBay account. 

[lja440]

---

@sweetrepeatznmore wrote:

Priority Mail boxes are great and well made. What I have done in the past is use them for shipping, but not as priority mail. I have purchased a roll of brown paper and covered the box with it, similar to wrapping a present. Utilize the clear packaging tape. You can utilize their free boxes, but change the postage cost. Works like a charm! Also, I have purchased the large roll of bubble wrap, cheapest at Walmart, and utilize that in lieu of the bubble wrap envelopes. Overall  cheaper. If you need to, you can make pockets by cutting the wrap to the size you need and use the clear package tape to hold it. That also works like a charm! Hope that helps!

SweetRepeatz'nMore

---

This DOES NOT work like a charm and is pretty much the same as switching price tags at a store. IT IS THEFT.

I work for USPS and POSTAGE IS MY PAYCHECK. USPS works solely on postage so cheaters like you steal from my paycheck. Literally the Post Office has cut back and cut back, reducing window hours and closing offices and sorting centers.

Besides that I seldom see a paper wrapped package without some sort of damage. Paper catches and rips, it binds up the conveyers. I have had to actually deliver scraps of paper with labels on them because that is the only thing that is left, your priority box (now naked) is on it's way to dead letter.

[lja440]

---

@bluelinemetalsllc wrote:

---

@sweetrepeatznmore wrote:

Priority Mail boxes are great and well made. What I have done in the past is use them for shipping, but not as priority mail. I have purchased a roll of brown paper and covered the box with it, similar to wrapping a present. Utilize the clear packaging tape. You can utilize their free boxes, but change the postage cost. Works like a charm! Also, I have purchased the large roll of bubble wrap, cheapest at Walmart, and utilize that in lieu of the bubble wrap envelopes. Overall  cheaper. If you need to, you can make pockets by cutting the wrap to the size you need and use the clear package tape to hold it. That also works like a charm! Hope that helps!

SweetRepeatz'nMore

---

And this is part of the reason the cost of shipping goes up and up and up....people misusing the "free" shipping supplies. Going to give you the benefit of the doubt here and assume you were not aware that what you are doing is against USPS rules and overall hurts us all. USPS *will* catch on and nail you for it. Now you know. 

---

Oh, they knew, if not they wouldn't have hid the box.

[readabouthorses]

---

@sweetrepeatznmore wrote:

Priority Mail boxes are great and well made. What I have done in the past is use them for shipping, but not as priority mail. I have purchased a roll of brown paper and covered the box with it, similar to wrapping a present. Utilize the clear packaging tape. You can utilize their free boxes, but change the postage cost. Works like a charm! Also, I have purchased the large roll of bubble wrap, cheapest at Walmart, and utilize that in lieu of the bubble wrap envelopes. Overall  cheaper. If you need to, you can make pockets by cutting the wrap to the size you need and use the clear package tape to hold it. That also works like a charm! Hope that helps!

SweetRepeatz'nMore

---

Oh my goodness! Are you saying you didn't notice that information on the Priority boxes and envelopes stating this packaging is the property of the U.S. Postal Service and is provided solely for use in sending Priority Mail shipments. Misuse may be a violation of federal law. This packaging is not for resale.

Or did you read it and didn't understand it? Or didn't think it applied to you?