What Is a Mail Forwarding Service?
Benefits and what to look for
A mail forwarding service gives you a real street address in the United States, receives your mail and packages there, and sends them to you wherever you live. If you shop at US online stores that won’t ship to your country, or you need your US mail to reach you abroad, it is the simplest way to get everything in one place.
How a mail forwarding service works
- Get your US address. When you sign up with USAbox you receive a physical street address in Miami, Florida, and a matching online mailbox.
- Shop or receive mail. Use your address at any US store, or give it to banks, subscriptions and friends.
- See what arrived. Every item shows up in your online mailbox with a photo of it (we call it Mail Picture ID), so you can decide what to do.
- Choose what happens next. Ship it, hold it or discard it. Items you ship travel anywhere in the world with DHL, FedEx, UPS or USPS, and you can track them online.
What can you receive?
Letters, magazines and small parcels, but also large packages and express deliveries from FedEx, UPS and DHL. To receive mail delivered by USPS you must complete USPS Form 1583, which applies to any private mailbox (see our requirements). Express carriers do not require it.
Why people use a mail forwarding service
- Lower shipping costs: consolidate several orders into one package. Platinum members get discounts of up to 80% on shipping rates.
- More stores to shop at: buy from US retailers that don’t ship internationally.
- Control over your mail: discard unwanted items online on paid plans; discarded mail is shredded on site.
- Pay for what you use: start with the free Basic plan and upgrade only if you need more storage.
What to look for in a provider
- A physical street address, not a P.O. Box
- Several carriers (DHL, FedEx, UPS and USPS)
- Package consolidation and clear pricing
- A secure online account to manage everything
- Experience: USAbox has provided US mailing addresses since 1998
Ready to get started? Compare our plans and sign up for free with the Basic plan, or check shipping rates to your country. Questions? Visit our FAQ.
