I'm very much a newbie at mailing off things.  I want to make sure I'm doing this right, so sorry for my ignorance.  =)  Say I had to mail two or three books, I could use pre-paid postage, bundle them all together, and just stick them in my mailbox?  Provided, of course, that the package fits?

Sorry if this seems like a silly question.  It just almost seems too easy.

Well it depends. You can mail them all together to the same person, or different people (depending on how many each person gets from you) but keep in mind, sometimes they have to be taken to the counter at the post office. If they are 13 oz or over, they usually need to be taken directly to a clerk (the PO here requires that, each one is different). If under 13 oz, they can be put in the dropbox in the post office.

(I've noticed some PO's still have the 13 oz rule while others don't so it just depends on your area)

And yeah, You can use pre paid postage (nomatter how many lbs or oz) and if under 13 oz, its so much easier, not having to deal with the lines at the post office. I think some mailmen will pick them up directly (if under 13 oz)  from ur mailbox, and some won't.

Ah.  Thanks for responding!

Cindy, the 13 ounce rule only applies if you use stamps.  It does not apply to pre-printed postage, APC postage, or metered mail.

So, I can just stick the package in my mailbox?

The 13 oz rule is a Homeland Security law and should be enforced by all post offices, not to say some don't slip through anyway.  Packages with  postage such as PBS printable (and others mentioned) are considered 'trackable' if there ever needs to be an investigation.  So YES you may use the blue box.  

It is only packages with stamps (or other untrackable postage) that must be passed over the counter to a postal employee.  I don't even wait in line, just stand off to the side and catch the attention of a clerk...show them the stamped package, and wait until they wave me over.  It takes about 3 seconds.

You may also wish to check your postage date, many post offices check the date on pre-printed postage and will not accept late postage. 

Thanks for taking time out to respond, guys!  Thing is, I basically live out in the woods in a very small town.  I don't think there are any blue boxes anywhere near where I live. May as well go to the post office, which I really don't want to do.

So, I was just wondering if it was possible to mail books from my home mailbox?

Cindy, the 13 ounce rule only applies if you use stamps.  It does not apply to pre-printed postage, APC postage, or metered mail

(Yeah that is what I thought too, until I got 2 packages (mailed the same day, one with paypal, one with pbs) back and said it had to be taken to the counter so the next day I took it to the clerk and they told me it didn't matter if it was over 13 oz, it still has to be taken to the counter EVEN if it has preprinted postage, so now I just am sure to take them to the clerk if over 13 oz)   So maybe my post office still lives by those rules.

This was recent, last week. I thought I could just put them in the dropbox but nope. At least I got them mailed back out really quick.

Cindy your PO was wrong.  Members have reported 13oz books with post office issued (by a clerk) books being sent back for the same reason.  Books that were handed to a clerk. Because a postal employee made a mistake.  I had one postal employee tell me that audio books couldn't go media mail-until I showed her it could on a pamphlet in her post office. So they don't always know what they are doing.

So, I was just wondering if it was possible to mail books from my home mailbox? Probably. The answer is most likely yes, but some carriers won't take packages at all so you have to verify with your mail person that they will take them.

As far are the 13 oz rule, it clearly states that it applies to packages bearing only stams and that any online postage does not have to be taken to the counter; so using PBS postage does allow you to deposit the packages in any other USPS recepticle (including your mail box if your carrier takes packages).

Cindy - I would print this out and take it to your PO. They can't just decide to follow their own rules.

13-Ounce Mail Rule

WASHINGTON, DC — A new Postal Service rule goes into effect next week for packages and envelopes that weigh more than 13 ounces, if they’re being mailed with only stamps as postage at a location other than a Post Office retail service counter.

Starting Monday, July 30, customers can use one of several convenient online postage applications — available 24/7 — or an Automated Postal Center, if they wish to mail items that weigh more than 13 ounces in Postal Service collection boxes or Post Office lobby mail slots; or if they wish to leave the items for pickup by their letter carriers. Online postage applications include the Postal Service’s Click-N-Ship service on usps.com and PC Postage from an authorized USPS vendor.

If a customer is unable to use one of the above methods to prepare and affix postage, items weighing more than 13 ounces must be presented for mailing to an employee at a Post Office retail service counter. Business customers who use postage meters may continue to use meter postage for packages of any weight and mailing method.

Customers will notice new decals on USPS collection boxes, and Post Office lobby and Automated Postal Center mail drop slots. The new red, white and blue decals inform customers that deposit of stamped mail over 13 ounces is prohibited, and any such mail will be returned.

Previously, the prohibition applied to mail over 16 ounces. The change is part of ongoing security measures established by the Postal Service, in cooperation with other government agencies to keep the public, customers, employees and the U.S. Mail safe.