Can software, blank CDs or flash drives go by Media Mail?
USPS's rules: Prerecorded media only
Software on a CD, DVD or diskette qualifies, along with manuals prepared solely for use with it, because Media Mail covers computer-readable media containing prerecorded information. Blank discs contain no prerecorded information, USPS rules blank flash drives and portable hard drives ineligible, its service page says computer drives and digital drives don't qualify, and video games are out in any form, so all of these ship by Ground Advantage ($7.33 to $8.95 online up to 8 oz).
Rates verified on
The rule, in USPS's words
Quoted from the official pages linked below each quote, checked Oct 19, 2026.
“Computer-readable media containing prerecorded information and guides or scripts prepared solely for use with such media.”
“blank/empty storage devices such as "portable hard drives," "thumb drives," "flash drives," "jump-drives" and "USB drives" for use with computers are also not eligible for Media Mail prices.”
“Qualifying computer-readable media may contain no advertising except when provided for by standard”
“Video games, computer drives, and digital drives do not qualify for Media Mail prices.”
“See the full list of requirements and allowed items: Media Mail Eligibility Standards”
“Mailing Standards of the United States Postal Service, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) is incorporated by reference into this part”
What it costs to ship
Media Mail costs the same to every US address, with a 1 lb minimum ($4.39) and any fraction of a pound rounded up. Ground Advantage, USPS's ground package service with tracking included, is priced by weight and zone: online is USPS's commercial price for labels bought online, and the counter price is retail.
| Package | Media Mail (if it qualifies) | Ground Advantage online, Zones 1-9 | Ground Advantage at the counter, Zones 1-9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drive or blank discs, 8 oz | $4.39 | $7.33 to $8.95 | $8.40 to $10.20 |
| 1 lb | $4.39 | $8.01 to $11.22 | $10.05 to $13.65 |
| 2 lb | $5.13 | $8.39 to $13.42 | $11.30 to $19.80 |
| 5 lb | $7.34 | $10.35 to $20.24 | $13.75 to $27.45 |
Worked examples
- A boxed copy of software with its manual, 1 lb 6 oz: Media Mail rounds up to 2 lb, $5.13.
- A spindle of 50 blank CD-Rs, 1 lb 8 oz: Ground Advantage, $8.39 to $13.42 online.
- A used flash drive with leftover files on it, 4 oz: on our reading, what you're selling is the storage device, which USPS's ruling puts outside Media Mail when blank, and old files don't make it prerecorded media; USPS has no ruling on it, and its service page says computer drives and digital drives don't qualify, so ship it by Ground Advantage, $7.33 to $8.95 online.
Every weight from 1 to 70 lb: Media Mail rates · Ground Advantage rates
Edge cases
- An e-book on a disc counts: the ruling's own example of allowed announcements is "books in a computer-readable format" (PS-334).
- A drive sold for its content, such as an audiobook or software preloaded on a USB drive, is unsettled. DMM 173.4.1i covers computer-readable media containing prerecorded information and PS-334 rules out only blank drives, but USPS's service page says digital drives don't qualify. The DMM is the standard federal regulations incorporate (39 CFR 111.1), and the service page points to DMM 173 for the full list (USPS), so on the text it qualifies; USPS hasn't ruled, and a clerk may go by the service page. Ground Advantage avoids the dispute.
- Software with ads beyond what the standard allows doesn't qualify (PS-334).
- Video games, consoles and computers: see games and puzzles.
What to do
- Ship prerecorded software and its manual together at Media Mail prices.
- Ship drives and blank media by Ground Advantage, and keep them out of Media Mail boxes.
Sources
Rates verified on from each official page below.
- USPS Domestic Mail Manual 173: Media Mail and Library Mail prices and eligibility
- USPS Customer Support Ruling PS-334: Computer-Readable Media Eligibility for Media Mail Prices (updated July 2018)
- USPS: Mail and shipping services (Media Mail eligibility, Ground Advantage, First-Class Mail)
- eCFR: 39 CFR 111.1, the Domestic Mail Manual incorporated by reference
- USPS Notice 123: price list (effective Oct 4, 2026), Media Mail and Ground Advantage prices
- USPS: temporary price change for 2026 holiday shipping (Aug 25, 2026)
Free 1-page Reseller Cheat Sheet: fees on 8 platforms, Media Mail and stamp prices
What each platform takes from a $10, $25 and $50 sale, Media Mail 1-10 lb, Ground Advantage to Zones 1, 5 and 8, and the Forever stamp, on one printable page. The link appears as soon as you sign up.