Sentences: Book Donations to Prison Libraries and Juvenile Detention Centers discussion

Regional rate boxes can be a great, affordable option when your shipment isn't eligible for the media rate.

If you have nothing but books, going to the USPS and asking for the media rate will almost always be your most affordable option. But if your shipment has any advertisements in it, and a single magazine or comic book probably will, then your box isn't eligible for the media rate. Normal priority shipping can be pretty expensive, but another option, which is affordable and allows your shipment to contain advertisements is a 'regional rate box.'

Check out the USPS website for this:
https://www.stamps.com/usps/priority-...

I can't say it any better than they can, so please check out the link. But be prepared do to a lot of the prep work online and prepare everything from home.

This is also an option to avoid a trip to the post office, which can help if your work hours make that difficult.

Because it is a regional rate, it's for shipments traveling relatively short distances. So you may need to find a prison or JD center near you to be eligible for this shipping option. Please browse our past donation instructions, or if you ever need help pairing your shipment with one of our previously featured facilities, by all means feel free to contact me and I will be glad to help.

If you only have a few magazines, your cheapest option may still be to separate the boxes into one media rate box and one small priority box/envelope. But quite possibly you may find yourself saving money on a shipment with the regional rate method.

Thank you all for visiting this site, for making your donations, and a special thank you to Kelly who originally shared this information!