How much does a PO box cost
A post office box is a uniquely addressable lockable box located on the premises of a post office station. In some regions, particularly in Africa, there is no door to door delivery of mail; for example, in Kenya. Consequently, renting a PO box has traditionally been the only way to receive mail in such countries.
A post office box, or commonly known as a PO Box or a Postal Box, is a lockable mailbox located in a post office station. PO Boxes are traditionally used to receive mail when you live in areas where mail is not delivered directly to your home. These days, PO Boxes can be used for other purposes other than necessity.
PO Boxes offer a wide variety of benefits that will appeal to many people. Here are just a few to consider:
- You get a permanent address.
- Privacy of your home and personal address.
- Mail security a PO Box is physically located inside a post office and is securely monitored in the location. It is also locked and accessible only with a key or lock combination.
- Fast delivery of mail and packages because PO Boxes are hosted by the Post Office mail get delivered faster.
Whether it’s for business or personal use, USPS® offers a range of PO Box™ sizes to hold your mail and packages safely at a Post Office™ facility near you. Many locations allow 24/7 PO Box access, and if a package is too large to fit in your box, we’ll hold it for you. Your location may also offer free Premium PO Box Services such as smartphone alerts to let you know when you have mail.
How to Reserve, Renew, or Manage a PO Box
Search for a new PO Box at any Post Office location. Reserve with your existing account or new USPS.com account.
Already have a PO Box? Save time and make an online payment for the PO Box you’re managing.
Once you reserve a PO Box at the Post Office, link it to your USPS.com account and easily manage it online.
Why Get a PO Box in 2021
You can’t use a PO box as your business address in California. California won’t let you use a PO box for your business address on your formation documents. In fact, the California Secretary of State will reject your filing if you try listing one.
You get a permanent address. Privacy of your home and personal address. Mail security a PO Box is physically located inside a post office and is securely monitored in the location. Fast delivery of mail and packages because PO Boxes are hosted by the Post Office mail get delivered faster.
If you need to receive mail at a physical address, UPS is an excellent alternative to P.O. boxes. Your mail will be sent to one of three locations, including Los Angeles, California, Pompano Beach, Florida, or Grandville, Michigan. When mail comes in, the outside of the package or envelope is scanned.
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A PO Box is a good option for many small business owners who don’t want to use their home address as their business address. Your mail is secure, you can access your mail during USPS business hours, there is a range of mailbox sizes to choose from, and the rental periods are priced fairly.
1. Security
Know your deliveries are safe at the Post Office and not sitting on your doorstep unprotected. Icon of an eye. Friends, a PO Box is physically located inside a post office. It is locked and accessible only if you have the right key or lock combination.
Selected Post Offices have extended business hours and/or 24/7 lobby access so you can pick up your mail at any time. Mail stored in your postal box is also more secure compared to mail inside your mailbox at home because mail is often left in an unlocked mailbox that’s easy for strangers to rummage through.
2. Privacy
Another primary reason why people rent a PO Box is to protect their privacy. There are certain times when you don’t want certain people to know where you live. By getting a postal box, you get another mailing address that you can use for selected contacts and transactions.
Keep your home address private and important documents confidential for peace of mind. Icon of 24 inside of a circular arrow. A great example of using a PO Box is for receiving rent on real estate properties from your tenants. There are good reasons for not wanting your tenants to know where you live, especially when there comes a day that eviction is required.
3. Accessibility
Get mail at your convenience with 24/7 access in some locations and extended hours in others. A PO Box is great for people who move constantly.
If you’ve ever relocated, you know the pain you go through – changing mailing address for bills, bank statements, and magazine subscriptions, updating personal information with the IRS and the government, and sending an email or emailing friends your new address. It’s very easy to miss updating an important service.
Next thing you know, you end up with identity theft because someone happened to get his hands on your personal mail. A PO Box reduces this problem by cutting down the frequency required to change your mailing address every time you move.
USPS package intercept in 2021
4. Delivery Speeds
One of the biggest advantages of getting a PO Box is that you’ll often receive your mail faster than you would at your home address. Since your mailbox will be right inside the post office lobby, you’ll save your mail a trip in the USPS mail van.
5. What happens if your PO box is full?
If a mailpiece that is addressed to a PO Box must be signed for or is too large to fit in the box, the Post Office™ will place in your box either: A key to a larger storage locker within the same facility (for a larger item)
Apply for a PO Box
Step 1: Search for Post Office locations near you using the search bar under “Reserve a New PO Box.”
Second Step 2: Choose a Post Office location and make selections on your desired PO Box size and payment period.
Step 3: Enter your contact and billing information to reserve your PO Box.
Set Up Automated Payments
First Step 1: Select “Manage Account” and sign in with your USPS.com credentials.
Step 2: Find your PO Box on the “Manage Your Account” page and select “Setup Auto-Renew.”
Step 3: Change your payment period if you wish, and enroll in Automatic Renewal.
Link an Existing PO Box
Step 1: Select “Link” above and sign in with your USPS.com credentials.
Step 2: Enter in your PO Box number, ZIP Code™, and last name or business name.
Third Step 3: Confirm your PO Box details and submit. You can now manage your PO Box online.
How much does a PO box cost?
P.O. boxes are among the safest, securest places to send shipments. Since they’re physically located inside the Post Office and under tight surveillance, and accessible only via key or combination lock, you can usually ensure customer privacy and security when shipping to a post office box.
They will usually hold it for 2 weeks, depending on the local post office then it will be returned to you. Yes, usually two weeks. They could hold it longer if the buyer is away and has his mail on hold or if the post office is a small one that is used to the p.o. box holder not appearing for weeks at a time.
The price of a box rental varies by region but starts from as little as $9 for a small box for three months, going up to $625 for an extra-large box for six months.
FedEx scheduled delivery pending
When opening a new PO Box online, you will pay the 6- or 12-month fee plus $2.00 for the key deposit. Two keys are provided with every new box. When renewing a PO Box, you will choose a 6- or 12-month payment period, and then you will pay the fees for that upcoming period.
What are the disadvantages of getting a PO Box?
Renting a standard PO Box at a USPS location is an option for receiving mail away from your home or office that could make sense in some circumstances.
USPS PO Boxes are worth considering when: You receive lots of mail (but few packages) and don’t mind going to the post office every day to view and retrieve your mail.
Even with all of its advantages, getting a PO Box does have some drawbacks.
- Not all mail is accepted
If your local post office doesn’t offer premium services, you won’t be able to receive packages or mail from any carriers other than the USPS. It’s the only company permitted to put mail into your PO Box. So, those Amazon packages or the gift basket from your great aunt will have to be delivered to your home address.
2. You have to pay to a rental fee
As you’re aware, PO boxes aren’t free. They must be paid for and renewed at specified intervals. Depending on your location, size, and rental period, you could spend more than you want to on your mail service.
3. Limited availability
If there isn’t a location near you with an available PO Box, you might have to travel to pick up your mail. Not exactly ideal. You could also find that the size box you need isn’t available at your nearest post office — again meaning you to go out of your way to collect your mail.
Conclusion
The Postal Service offers a no-fee post office (PO) box service to customers who do not receive any form of carrier delivery. Customers apply for the no-fee PO box service by completing an application and providing identification to a Postal Service employee.
As a reminder, customers can manage a full range of PO Box transactions online at usps.com/poboxes. This online option enables existing PO Box customers to make one-time payments with a credit card or sign up for automatic renewals, view their payment history, and receive e-mail payment reminders.
Renting a standard PO Box at a USPS location is an option for receiving mail away from your home or office that could make sense in some circumstances. USPS PO Boxes are worth considering when: You receive lots of mail (but few packages) and don’t mind going to the post office every day to view and retrieve your mail.
TENDERED TO DELIVERY SERVICE PROVIDER Mean 2021
Acceptable IDs without photographs include current lease or mortgage, voter or vehicle registration card, or home or vehicle insurance policy. Current paper bills, tax forms, and bank statements with your full name and address may be acceptable as well. Go online onto the USPS website to apply for a PO box online.
How much does a PO box cost