Why does po box size matter

PO Boxes offer a wide variety of benefits that will appeal to many people. Here are just a few to consider:. 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. 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. Because PO Boxes are hosted by the Post Office, mail typically gets delivered faster to a postal box than to a residential or business address.

There is no waiting for the postman to drop mail off at your home or office. You new mail is usually available before 12pm. This is convenient if you need to get particular mail that requires same-day mail-out. 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.

A great example for 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.

Fees for PO Boxes are normally inexpensive. However, you need to make sure that you get the proper box size that fits your incoming mail volume. 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 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.

If you have simple basic needs for a mailbox service such as protecting your privacy or for keeping an address that you use for mailing address purposes, a PO Box is a smart and affordable choice.

PO Boxes, however, are not always the best choice under certain circumstances. How do I renew a PO Box? You can set up automatic renewal payments online to pay your annual or semi-annual PO Box fees automatically on the due date using the credit or debit card of your choice. To set up automatic payments, you must use a saved credit or debit card.

If you have not saved a card, you can add one to your account. If your renewal fee is late, your box will be closed and you will not be able to retrieve your mail. If your payment is more than 10 days late, you need to go to the Post Office where your PO Box is located to pay your renewal fee and a handling fee to cover our processing costs.

You will not be able to pay online or at a self-service kiosk. After 10 days of nonpayment, your mail is treated as undeliverable mail and your PO Box is closed.

Closed boxes may be made available for new customers. Then click Renew PO Box. This feature is available 30 days before your next payment is due. Go to: USPS. Note: If your payment is more than 10 days late, this is your only option for renewing your PO Box.

After signing into your USPS. Find the PO Box you want to make a payment on, and make your payment. How do I close a PO Box? A PO Box may be closed if fees have not been paid by the due date. After the fees have become past due, access to the box is blocked. The boxholder has 10 days to pay past due fees and pickup held mail.

After that ten days ten days after the due date , the box is closed and your mail is returned as undeliverable. Can a PO Box be transferred? PO Box service may be transferred, without payment of an additional fee, to any box of the same size and fee group at a different facility of the same Post Office. The customer will have to locate and rent the box they want.

To transfer service, submit a new application either to the facility where service is currently provided or to the facility where service is desired.

If a box customer dies or disappears before the end of the period for which the box is issued, a temporary measure is to have another person listed on the PO Box, or an appointed executor, or administrator for a deceased person can file a temporary change of address form to keep mail going to the current PO Box. If another person would like to become the permanent box customer, they will need to file a new PS Form and present the required ID before becoming the new primary box customer.

For mailing purposes, PO Boxes are considered a physical location. All mail classes and services may be sent to a PO Box. If the item requires a signature, a notice will be left.

If the second attempt is unsuccessful, the item will be returned to the sender after the required number of business days for it to be held have elapsed. Forwarding of mail for other persons receiving mail at the box is the responsibility of the official box holder. A PO Box may not be used primarily for the purpose of forwarding mail on to a different address.

Are PO Box rental fees eligible for a refund? If you decide to close your PO Box, you may be eligible for a refund according to the following guidelines:. Go to USPS. Sign In. FAQs Home. How can we help? Search for a topic. PO Boxes. Share via email. Information Article Number. Customer Information. Note: A PO Box may be available for no fee, in specific situations, for those who are not eligible for home delivery. PO Box service is provided in 3-month with an automatic recurring payment by credit card , 6-month semi-annual , or month annual increments.

What are lobby hours and business hours? PO Boxes are generally located in the lobby area of the Post Office. Lobby hours are the hours when you may access your PO Box. Many Post Office lobbies are open 24 hours per day, 7 days per week, so be sure to check the lobby hours when selecting a PO Box online. Business hours are the hours when Post Office employees are available to answer questions and to conduct transactions PO Boxes, mailing, shipping, purchase stamps, etc.

To present your IDs and pick up your keys, you need to visit the Post Office during business hours. Click to see larger version Click to see larger version Benefits of PO Box service: You get your mail when and where you want it.

There are several ways that you can renew a PO Box: Online with a credit or debit card. At any self-service kiosk. By mail with a check or money order. Mail typically arrives faster at a PO Box than at a residential or business address. Your PO Box address can be used for selected contacts and transactions. PO Boxes are affordable. PO Boxes are good for businesses expanding to other cities. How do I find the availability and prices of PO Boxes online?

All applicants listed including both spouses and other individuals listed, except for minors must present two forms of acceptable identification. One must be an acceptable primary of identification and the other an acceptable secondary form of identification. A parent or guardian may receive delivery of a minor's mail by listing the name s of each minor on PS Form Other adult persons who receive mail in the PO Box of an individual box customer must be listed on PS Form and must present two forms of acceptable identification.

Employees or members who receive mail in the PO Box of an organization who is a box customer must be listed on PS Form How do I apply for a PO Box in person? How do I apply for a PO Box online? Choose an available PO Box location by clicking on the location in the list or map. From there, choose an available PO Box size, indicating a 3-month, 6-month, or month payment preference and click 'Continue.

Select your payment method and enter your card information. Next, read the refund policy and, if you accept the refund policy, click on the box to the left of 'I accept the refund policy' and click 'Continue.

Submit your application. Once the PO Box application has been submitted, customers can view a confirmation page with a summary of their order details along with detailed instructions how to activate their PO Box.

Customers then have 30 days to bring their printed PS Form and two forms of acceptable U. These customers should visit their local Post Office to complete their application. What is the Wait List? Can I remove my name from the Wait List? How do I get keys to my PO Box? Is my personal information stored online kept private and secure?

This means you can find a box and a rental period that best suits your budget. You can choose to rent it for 3 months, 6 months or a year according to what suits you best.

There are options in between these two. Keep in mind that if you cancel within the first 3 months of the service, you get refunded for the last 3 months.

You can expect a variety of benefits from having access to your own PO Box. If you own a small business, a PO Box provides essential protection, personal security, and privacy.

One of the most important reasons for a PO Box is to keep your personal address confidential. You never know, a disgruntled customer or someone even more dangerous could show up at your front door. Your privacy is very important. Keep in mind that new business filling is often also public. This means that company forms may end up getting your home address added to various unwanted mailing lists. Due to this, renting a PO Box provides many of the same benefits for a fraction of the cost.

Along with this, a PO Box allows you to forward your mail to a new location before you move. This means that your mail will be automatically forwarded to your new PO Box location.

Simply make sure to update your address by notifying your post office. The USPS offers a few ways to pay for your box. You can pay at your local post office, visit a Postal Center kiosk, or mail your payment. You can even pay online. Ensure that you renew your PO box subscription on time to avoid any interruption in mail delivery. Your email address will not be published.