What is Media Mail?

Media Mail® by USPS® is a wallet-friendly service ideal for dispatching educational materials. However, pinpointing what qualifies as educational, especially concerning board games, can be a puzzle.

According to USPS®, educational materials include books, videotapes, DVDs, CDs, printed music, and other sound recordings. Despite this seemingly clear definition, a closer look reveals that specific items, such as blank cassettes, comic books, and magazines featuring ads, don’t fall within the scope of Media Mail® eligibility.

While utilizing Media Mail® for shipping board games might yield significant cost savings, the question lingers: do board games align with the criteria for educational materials? Find the answer below.

Can Board Games be Shipped as Media Mail?

Short Answer: No

While it might seem fantastic to ship hefty 70lb board games at a minimal cost, unfortunately, board games do not qualify for Media Mail®. USPS specifically categorizes board games as entertainment items, akin to puzzles and video games. Even books related to board games do not meet the criteria for Media Mail®, regardless of perceived educational value.

Should you disagree with this assessment and still wish to attempt shipping board games as Media Mail®, I would advise limiting it to highly educational games. To enhance your chances of success, avoid using terms like “game,” “toy,” and “play,” as these automatically classify items as entertainment. Instead, employ keywords such as “Learning Tool,” “Educational Device,” or “Hands-on Learning.”

For more information you can visit usps.com.