The Ecommerce Guide to Shipping Books: Packaging Best Practices + Cost-Effective Mailing

Shipping books seems pretty straightforward. Put them in a shipping box, add a label, and send them on their way, right? 

But what happens when your customer receives their order only to find damaged corners or bent pages? The excitement of receiving a new read quickly turns into disappointment, leading to complaints, returns, and negative reviews.

On top of that, the cost of shipping books can vary greatly. That’s why you should be evaluating multiple shipping services to find the most reliable yet cheapest way to ship—especially when shipping from the US  to other regions.

In this article, we’ll cover essential packaging tips to prevent book damage, explore cost-effective shipping options, and discuss how a 3PL like ShipBob can streamline your process.

Why shipping books properly matters

As a book retailer, every book you send out represents your brand. For buyers, receiving a damaged book can feel like the brand didn’t meet their expectations. For sellers, it increases return costs and damages your potential for repeat business. That’s why taking the time to pack and ship books correctly is vital to protecting your investment and ensuring customer satisfaction.

Services like ShipBob can help by offering solutions such as customised packaging to prevent damage in transit and a network of ecommerce fulfilment centres that optimise shipping efficiency.

How to pack books for shipping

Properly packing books helps ensure they arrive at their destination undamaged. This may require a customised packaging solution tailored specifically to protect certain books and enhance the unboxing experience. With ShipBob, this service is readily available, but for those with their own shipping operations, it’s important to follow a few best practices.

Select the right packaging materials

Books are delicate, and they require durable, well-cushioned custom packaging to prevent damage. Whether you choose eco-friendly packaging options or standard protective materials, here are some of the best packing materials to use:

• Boxes: Sturdy, corrugated cardboard boxes provide excellent protection for multiple or heavy books. Be sure to select a box that fits the books snugly to prevent shifting.
• Padded envelopes: For lightweight or single books, bubble poly mailers offer an easy, protective solution.
• Dunnage: Use dunnage (think air cushions, packing peanuts, or foam) to help prevent books from shifting during transit and absorbing any shock.

Wrap and secure books

Protecting all areas of the book, especially the corners and edges, is critical. Here’s how to properly wrap and secure your books:

1. Wrap books in plastic or bubble wrap: This protects books from moisture, dust, and impacts during shipping.
2. Secure the wrap with tape: Make sure the wrap stays intact by taping it securely around the book.
3. Secure the wrapped books in the box: Fill any empty spaces with dunnage to keep books from shifting in transit.

Label and address packages

A clearly labelled package helps ensure it arrives on time. Here are some labelling best practices:

• Clear and legible labels: Make sure your shipping labels are easy to read and printed clearly.
• Correct placement: Position the label on a flat surface, away from the edges and seams, to avoid damage during transit.

Include all necessary details: Ensure the recipient’s address, your return address, and any special shipping instructions are correctly printed and visible.

Book Shipping Checklist

1. Select Packaging Materials

• Use sturdy, corrugated box that fits the book(s) snugly.
• Use padded envelopes for single, lightweight books.

2. Wrap and Secure Books

• Wrap books in plastic or bubble wrap to prevent damage.
• Secure the wrap tightly with tape.
• Place wrapped books in the box.
• Fill any gaps inside the box with dunnage to prevent shifting.

3. Label the Package

• Ensure the label is printed clearly.
• Place the label on a flat surface, away from edges and seams.
• Include all necessary details (recipient’s address, return address, special instructions).

4. Seal the Box

• Use strong packing tape to seal all seams and corners.

Final Check

• Lightly shake the box to ensure nothing is moving inside.
• Package is secure and ready to ship.

Best and cheapest shipping methods for books

Selecting the right shipping method for books is important for balancing cost and delivery speed. Ideally, you’ll want to compare USPS, UPS, and FedEx to ensure you’re using the most efficient option. Below are some pros and cons of each.

USPS Media Mail: The cost-effective option

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Pros:

• Low cost, especially for heavy books
• Designed specifically for shipping books and educational materials
• No surcharges for distance or weight within its limits

Cons:

• Slower delivery times (can take up to 2-8 days)
• No tracking or insurance unless added for an extra fee
• Strict restrictions: only books and educational media are allowed
• Not suitable for time-sensitive shipments

USPS Priority Mail: Speed vs. cost

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Pros:

• Faster delivery times (typically 1-3 business days)
• Includes tracking and insurance up to $100 at no additional cost
• Flat-rate options available, which can be cost-effective for heavy items

Cons:

• Higher cost compared to media mail, especially for heavier books
• Pricing based on weight and distance, which can add up for larger shipments
• Not as cost-effective for non-urgent deliveries

UPS, FedEx, and more courier services

Pros:

• Fast and reliable delivery, with multiple speed options (overnight, 2-day shipping, etc.)
• Detailed tracking capabilities
• Offers insurance and signature confirmation for valuable or high-volume shipments
• Better suited for bulk shipments and international deliveries

Cons:

• More expensive than USPS, especially for small or lightweight shipments
• Additional surcharges for larger or heavier packages
• Higher complexity with rate structures, including dimensional weight pricing

Take advantage of bulk shipping discounts

Shipping in bulk provides substantial cost savings for ecommerce businesses that regularly ship large quantities of books. By consolidating orders, you reduce packaging costs, optimise shipping rates, and save time on processing. 

Couriers often offer discounted rates based on volume, weight, and frequency, making bulk shipping a smart way to lower expenses. ShipBob helps you maximise these discounts by streamlining fulfilment, optimising shipping routes, and securing competitive rates through our network of fulfilment partners.

The best way to ship books internationally

Shipping books internationally comes with added complexities compared to domestic shipments. From selecting the right courier to understanding customs requirements and estimating shipping costs, international shipping requires careful planning to avoid delays, added expenses, or frustrated customers.

Choosing the right international courier

There are pros and cons to each shipping courier when shipping books internationally. Choosing the right one for your business depends on factors such as shipping speed, cost, tracking capabilities, and destination-specific regulations.

• USPS:
  • Pros: Cost-effective, especially for lighter packages; offers services like Priority Mail International for faster delivery.
  • Cons: Slower delivery times compared to other couriers; limited tracking outside the U.S.
• UPS:
  • Pros: Fast and reliable delivery, especially for heavy or bulk shipments; robust tracking and insurance options.
  • Cons: Higher costs for smaller shipments and possible surcharges for international destinations.
• FedEx:
  • Pros: Reliable and fast shipping options, especially for express delivery; detailed tracking and insurance options.
  • Cons: Expensive, especially for small, lightweight shipments; additional surcharges for certain regions.
• DHL:
  • Pros: Specializes in international shipping, with fast delivery and strong global presence; excellent tracking.
  • Cons: Higher costs, particularly for non-urgent shipments; complex pricing structure.

Understanding customs requirements

When shipping books internationally you’ll need to comply with customs regulations to avoid delays, fines, or returns. Here are some important tips for managing customs:

• Fill out forms correctly: Ensure customs forms are accurate and complete, including a clear description and shipment value.
• Research country-specific requirements: Understand each country’s restrictions and duties to avoid issues.
• Consider duties and taxes: Inform customers of any potential duties or taxes they may need to pay upon delivery or use delivered duty paid when feasible.

Estimating international shipping costs

Estimating international shipping costs can be challenging due to various factors. Here’s how to approach it:

• Calculate based on weight and dimensions: Couriers often use a combination of weight and size (dimensional weight) to determine costs, so measure your package accurately.
• Account for destination-specific fees: Shipping costs can vary by country, with some regions having higher fees or surcharges.
• Factor in duties and taxes: Many countries charge import fees based on the package’s declared value. Include these in your cost estimates.

Scale your book business with ShipBob’s fulfilment expertise

Scaling your book business requires reliable fulfilment, and ShipBob offers end-to-end services that streamline packing and book fulfilment. From small booksellers to large ecommerce businesses, ShipBob’s expertise helps you manage high order volumes and ship books globally with ease. 

For example, The Adventure Challenge scaled to $80M in sales in 2021 alone using ShipBob as a partner.

“In every sense, ShipBob has represented the word ‘partner’ really well. We always have competition reaching out, but the reason we haven’t left is because ShipBob’s been there for us and will continue to be there for us. We can save a dollar, great, but we’d lose the potency of that relationship. ShipBob’s been really critical structure to our company.”

Aaron Patterson, COO of The Adventure Challenge

Customised packaging solutions

Advanced inventory management

ShipBob’s advanced analytics dashboard and built-in inventory management system gives you real-time control of your stock levels, syncing seamlessly with your ecommerce platform. This system reduces errors, prevents stockouts, and ensures timely fulfilment. With features like automatic reorder points and real-time stock updates, ShipBob’s advanced inventory management system helps you maintain optimal inventory levels.

Global fulfilment network

ShipBob’s global fulfilment network optimises shipping by placing your inventory in strategically located centres. We have 50+ fulfilment centres located around the globe in the US, Canada, the UK, Europe, and Australia to offer efficient international shipping.

Our Inventory Placement Program (IPP) intelligently automates inventory distribution throughout the US so products are stored closer to customers’ end destinations, enabling quicker, cost-effective deliveries.

Get started with ShipBob

Need a reliable fulfilment partner to ship your books? Connect with ShipBob’s team of fulfilment experts to learn more about how we can help and get a custom quote.

Shipping and mailing books FAQs

Here are answers to commonly asked questions about shipping and mailing books.