Cheapest Way to Ship Vinyl Records
Vinyl records qualify for cheap USPS Media Mail but need rigid packaging to prevent warping and cracking.
Shipping Options for Vinyl Records
Vinyl records are a booming market for collectors and resellers, but they're notoriously tricky to ship safely. Records can warp from heat, crack from impacts, and suffer seam splits on their jackets if not packaged correctly. The gold standard is to ship the record outside of the jacket (both inside the outer mailer) to prevent seam splits from the record's weight pressing against the jacket during transit. Dedicated vinyl mailers with stiffener pads are inexpensive and essential.
| Service | Carrier | Est. Cost | Speed | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Media MailRecommended | USPS | $3-5 | 5-8 days | Standard vinyl sales where speed isn't critical |
| Ground Advantage | USPS | $5-7 | 2-5 days | Faster delivery for single LPs when buyers want quick shipping |
| Priority Mail | USPS | $8-12 | 1-3 days | Rare or valuable pressings that need fast, insured delivery |
| FedEx Ground | FedEx | $12-15 | 3-7 days | Bulk collections of 10+ records |
Packaging Tips for Vinyl Records
Pro Tips
- Always ship records outside their jacket — the weight of the vinyl pressing against the jacket seam during transit is the #1 cause of seam splits.
- Add 'DO NOT BEND' stickers, but don't rely on them — the rigid mailer and stiffener pads are your real protection.
- During summer heat, ship Monday-Tuesday to avoid records sitting in 130°F+ delivery trucks over the weekend, which causes warping.
Important Considerations
Vinyl records are extremely sensitive to heat — temperatures above 140°F can cause permanent warping. Avoid shipping during extreme heat waves, and always choose faster shipping during summer months. Records also qualify for Media Mail, but not if bundled with non-media items.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, vinyl records are classified as sound recordings and fully qualify for Media Mail rates. A single LP typically ships for $3-4 via Media Mail. Just remember that you cannot include non-media items like stickers, merchandise, or promotional inserts in a Media Mail package.
The most effective technique is to remove the record from the jacket and place them side-by-side (not nested) inside the mailer. This prevents the heavy vinyl disc from pressing against and splitting the jacket seam during handling. Many sellers also place the record in a separate poly sleeve for extra protection.
Purpose-built vinyl record mailers are the best option — they're corrugated cardboard boxes sized exactly for 12-inch LPs with built-in stiffener pads. These cost about $1-2 each in bulk and provide far better protection than improvising with generic boxes. Brands like Whiplash and BCW are popular among vinyl sellers.
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