How to ship books cheap, without bent corners
Books get their own cheap postage rate, and most sellers either skip it or use it wrong. Here's what Media Mail allows, which mailer or box fits each kind of book, and how to pack them so the corners don't get dinged.
- Use Media Mail for books. It's priced by weight only, not distance, so it's usually the cheapest way to ship anything over a pound.
- Only real books qualify. No ads, no blank journals, and no notes inside except an invoice. USPS can open the package to check.
- Bag it and sandwich it. A plastic bag for water, and cardboard on both covers that sticks out past the corners.
- Mailer for paperbacks, box for hardcovers, textbooks, and anything collectible.
Used books are one of the classic reseller categories on eBay, Etsy, and Mercari, from cheap paperbacks bought by the box at estate sales to textbooks and signed first editions. They're also heavy for their size, which is why the Postal Service has a special rate for them. Media Mail can cost a fraction of other services for a stack of books going across the country.
The catch is that Media Mail has rules, it's slow, and books still get bent corners if they're packed loose. Here's how to do all of it right.
Media Mail: what qualifies and what doesn't
Media Mail is priced by weight only. A 5 pound box of books costs the same whether it's going next door or across the country, which is what makes it so cheap for books. But USPS can open Media Mail packages to inspect them, and if the contents don't qualify, the buyer can be charged the difference or the package can come back to you.
| Qualifies for Media Mail | Doesn't qualify |
|---|---|
| Books with at least 8 pages and no advertising | Blank journals, notebooks, and planners |
| Textbooks and manuals | Magazines and catalogs, since they carry advertising |
| Printed sheet music | Video games and video game consoles |
| Sound recordings like CDs and vinyl records | Comic books with ads (see our comic book guide) |
| An invoice or packing slip for the order | Personal notes, coupons, and business flyers |
Media Mail can take anywhere from about 2 to 8 business days, sometimes more. If you offer it, say so in your listing. eBay and Etsy both let you buy Media Mail labels. Poshmark's prepaid label is a fixed service, so Media Mail isn't an option there.
Book sizes and the mailer or box to use
Measure your book once it's wrapped in cardboard, since that adds a bit to each side.
| What you're shipping | Approx. book size | Mailer or box to look for |
|---|---|---|
| Mass market paperback | About 4.25 x 6.75 in | 6 x 10 in padded mailer. |
| Trade paperback | About 5.5 x 8.5 in to 6 x 9 in | 8.5 x 12 in padded mailer. |
| Hardcover novel | About 6.5 x 9.5 x 1.5 in | 8.5 x 12 in mailer for a cheap copy, or a 12 x 9 x 3 in box for anything you care about. |
| Textbook | About 8.5 x 11 x 1.5 in or bigger | Box, about 12 x 10 x 4 in. Heavy textbooks punch through mailers. |
| Coffee table or art book | 10 x 12 in and up | Box with 2 inches of padding all around. |
| A stack or lot | Varies | Measure the wrapped stack and add about 2 inches to each side. |
The BoxSizeFit calculator can match your measurements to the smallest mailer or box that fits.
How to pack a book for shipping
Step 1. Slide the book into a plastic bag.
Step 2. Sandwich it between cardboard bigger than the book.
Step 3. Slide it into a padded mailer, or a box for hardcovers.
Step 4. Shipping a stack: alternate the spines and pad the box.
- 1The book in a plastic bag. Rain and wet porches ruin more books than drops do.
- 2Cardboard on both covers that sticks out past the edges, so a corner hit lands on cardboard, not the book.
- 3A padded mailer or box that's snug around the cardboard, so the book can't slide.
- Bag the book. Slide it into a plastic bag or sleeve and fold the extra over.
- Make a cardboard sandwich. Cut two pieces of cardboard about half an inch bigger than the book on every side. Put one on each cover and tape the cardboard together, not the book.
- Pick the mailer or box. Paperbacks can go in a snug padded mailer. Hardcovers, textbooks, and collectible books go in a box with padding on every side.
- Fill any gaps. In a box, the book shouldn't slide when you shake it.
- Seal and label. If you're using Media Mail, the only paper inside should be an invoice or packing slip.
Reusing boxes? Cut off or cover any old hazmat markings, like a black-and-white diamond from a cosmetics order. Since July 2026, USPS can charge a $50 fee on packages with hazmat markings that don't match what's inside.
Shipping a lot of books
For a stack, alternate the direction of the spines so the stack sits flat and doesn't lean. Wrap the whole stack in bubble wrap or paper, then pack it in a box with padding on every side. Keep heavy lots in sturdy double-wall boxes. A box of books gets heavy fast, and a thin box can split at the seams.
Rare, signed, and collectible books
- Double-box it. Bag and sandwich the book, pack it in a small box with padding, then put that box inside a bigger one with padding around it.
- Protect the dust jacket. A clear jacket cover, or acid-free paper around the jacket, keeps it from tearing or rubbing.
- Consider Ground Advantage or Priority Mail instead of Media Mail. They're faster, they include tracking and up to $100 of coverage, and the book spends less time in transit.
- Insure it for the full value and add signature confirmation on expensive books.
Common book shipping mistakes
- A bare book in a mailer. The corners take every hit. Always use the cardboard sandwich.
- Putting a thank-you note or coupon in a Media Mail package. It can disqualify the whole package.
- Using Media Mail for things that aren't books, like video games or blank journals.
- Heavy textbooks in a mailer. They punch through the corners. Use a box.
- Skipping the plastic bag. One rainy delivery and the book is ruined.
Supplies checklist
- 6 x 10 and 8.5 x 12 inch padded mailers
- Book boxes or 12 x 9 x 3 inch boxes for hardcovers
- Plastic bags or book sleeves
- Cardboard sheets or corrugated pads
- Packing paper or bubble wrap
- Packing tape
Not sure which mailer or box it fits in? Measure your packed item and drop the numbers into the free BoxSizeFit calculator. It matches you to the smallest USPS, UPS, or FedEx box or bubble mailer that fits, for eBay, Etsy, Poshmark, and Depop.
Open the box size calculatorFrequently asked questions
What is the cheapest way to ship books?
USPS Media Mail is usually the cheapest for books, especially heavier ones, because it's priced by weight alone and costs the same no matter how far it goes. For a single light paperback, compare it with USPS Ground Advantage, since the difference can be small.
What qualifies for Media Mail?
Books with at least 8 pages and no advertising, along with some other educational media like sound recordings and printed music. Blank journals, notebooks, magazines, video games, and items with advertising don't qualify.
Can I put a note in a Media Mail package?
Only an invoice or packing slip. Personal notes, thank-you cards with promotions, coupons, and business flyers aren't allowed in Media Mail, and USPS can open the package to check.
What size bubble mailer do I need for a book?
A mass market paperback fits in a 6 x 10 inch mailer. Most trade paperbacks and thin hardcovers fit in an 8.5 x 12 inch mailer once wrapped in cardboard. Bigger or thicker books should go in a box.
How long does Media Mail take?
Media Mail is slower than other services, usually about 2 to 8 business days, and sometimes longer. Let buyers know in your listing so they aren't surprised.