Can board games ship media mail

In the United States, the United States Postal Service (USPS) has specific guidelines for shipping board games and other media items via Media Mail.

Here are the key points to consider:

  1. Eligibility: Media Mail is a cost-effective shipping option for books, CDs, DVDs, and other media items. However, board games are not explicitly listed as eligible items in the USPS Media Mail guidelines.
  2. Content: The USPS defines Media Mail as "printed or recorded materials, such as books, periodicals, and audiovisual materials." While board games may contain printed materials (e.g., rulebooks), they are not considered "printed or recorded materials" in the classical sense.
  3. Shipping restrictions: The USPS prohibits shipping certain items via Media Mail, including:
    • Perishable items (e.g., food, plants)
    • Hazardous materials (e.g., batteries, chemicals)
    • Live animals
    • Human remains
    • Cash, coins, or currency
  4. Workaround: If you still want to ship a board game via Media Mail, you can consider the following options:
    • Disassemble the game: If the game is packaged in a way that allows you to separate the components (e.g., remove the game board, cards, and pieces), you might be able to ship the individual components via Media Mail.
    • Use a Media Mail-compatible box: You can purchase a box specifically designed for shipping media items, such as a book box or a CD/DVD box. This might help you avoid any issues with shipping a board game via Media Mail.

Keep in mind that shipping a board game via Media Mail may not be the most cost-effective or efficient option. You may want to consider using a different shipping service, such as Priority Mail or Parcel Post, which may be more suitable for shipping larger or heavier items like board games.

Before shipping a board game via Media Mail, it's essential to check with the USPS and your local post office to confirm their policies and any potential restrictions.