USPS (United States Postal Service) is an independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government. Let us know more detail about ‘USPS Virtual Mailbox’.
USPS Virtual Mailbox
The USPS is a very reliable way to send and receive mail, but it does have its shortfalls. For instance, when you get a package and they drop it at a neighbor’s house instead of yours.
This doesn’t seem like a big deal when it’s just the first or second time, but when this keeps reoccurring, or when you’re expecting something sensitive like your social security card, but then the same thing happens.
It becomes apparent that you need a solution. This is when virtual mailboxes come in.
Does the USPS Offer Virtual Mailbox Services?
No, the USPS does not directly offer virtual mailbox services, but they do collaborate with companies that offer this service. Companies like iPostal, Anytime Mail, US Global Mail, Post Scan Mail and so many others like them.
Why would anyone need to have a virtual mailbox, when they already have a PO box where their mail can be sent, and how does one get the postal service to send their mail to a virtual mailbox?
Well, keep reading to find out.
Virtual Mailbox
Before we dive into why someone might need the services of a virtual mailbox, let’s first understand what a virtual mailbox is.
A virtual mailbox is a service that lets someone receive and process a mail or package anywhere and anytime online through their mobile device or desktop.
A virtual mailbox may seem like it does not have a physical address but it does. It is a third-party mailing service that receives and processes mail on behalf of its clients.
The company has a street address or PO box, where the mail is delivered to and scanned. Most companies only scan the outside of the package unless otherwise stated.
The scanned image is then uploaded to their cloud servers and you get notified through your email, you can then decide if to shred, keep it till further notice, or forward it to another address (usually at extra cost).
Why Would Someone Need the Services of a Virtual Mailbox?
There are a few reasons one may need the services of a virtual mailbox, ranging from personal reasons to business reasons.
These reasons may be:-
- If you travel a lot,
- If you do not have a physical mailing address in the United States.
- If you want to keep your home address and other personal information confidential.
- If you just don’t want to deal with the stress of receiving mails physically.
1. You Travel a Lot:-
Due to the nature of some people’s businesses like journalism, who moves around a lot and their mails get piled up.
It is not convenient for them, a virtual mailbox would allow them to receive their mail anywhere anytime, allowing them to select the ones to be shredded, forwarded to a new address, or kept for when they return.
2. If You do not Have a Physical Mailing Address in the United States:-
Some people have International businesses outside the United States and may want to buy goods from companies within the United States.
They would usually find it difficult to get their goods mailed directly to them because most companies only offer mailing services within the country.
Such people would need the services of a virtual mailbox so they can have a mailing address within the United States to where the goods will be delivered to.
When the goods are delivered to the company’s address, they are shipped to the customer, and at cheaper rates considering the company would be shipping in bulk.
3. If you want to keep, your home address and other personal information confidential:-
Virtual mail services as we already know accept mail from the postal service as a third party on behalf of their customers.
Problems such as identity theft from personal information that may be on the delivery box or from people that may go through your trash to get personal information from Mail packages and other pieces of paper that are being thrown away can be avoided.
4. If You Just Don’t Want to Deal With the Stress of Receiving Mails Physically:-
Some people may not just want to handle their mail physically, virtual mailboxes allow the person to sit down on their couch and decide whether to shred or keep the mail.
Or even if the mail should be forwarded to an address within or outside the country.
Some virtual mail services also handle cashing of cheques directly into your bank account, so when a check is received through the mail you don’t have to go to the bank yourself to cash it.
Advantages of Having a Virtual Mailbox
Having a virtual mailbox has its perks, some of which are:-
- Being able to receive mail anywhere in the world. This is one of the more obvious reasons people get themselves a virtual mailbox, there are little or no geographic restrictions, and your mail never has to pile up .
- They provide small startup businesses with a mailing address, which makes them look much more professional. A lot of startups are in small garages or bedrooms but because of virtual mailboxes, they can satisfy a lot more customers than they normally would have satisfied.
- Through virtual mailboxes, established businesses have an easy way to handle and organize their mail, and even get accurate records as to when they got each package.
- An individual in the process of changing their address for receiving mail, can easily resort to using a virtual mailbox as a short-term solution or even permanently.
- It makes keeping personal information about yourself safe and out of the hands of fraudsters easier.
Getting the USPS to Send Your Mail to Your Virtual Mailbox
As mentioned before, USPS does collaborate with virtual mailbox service providers but there is a process you would have to follow.
First, you fill out the USPS form 1583 also known as an application for delivery of mail through an agent.
And then also submit a change of address form so your mail starts being sent to the address.
Conclusion.
The world is going digital and it only makes sense for the postal system to do the same, while many may argue that there is no difference between the services provided by a PO box and a virtual mailbox.
I would say the only difference is how much control you get over your mail. If you ask me you are definitely getting your money’s worth. Thanks for reading.
