Why You Need a Virtual Mailing Address
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Virtual Mailing Address / Virtual Mail Service / Virtual Mailbox: What You Need to Know
Nothing is more stressful than figuring out where all your mail will go when deciding to travel long-term or move abroad. We see digital nomads and expats do it all the time. How do they manage their mail and get things delivered to them in a timely manner?
A virtual mailing address or virtual mailbox is a perfect solution. By using a virtual mailing address or virtual mailbox service, you can choose a real physical address or P.O. box, and have all mail and packages accepted and scanned, forwarded digitally or physically to you anywhere in the world. Virtual mailing addresses and digital mailboxes are incredibly helpful for those running an online business, or simply living in another country temporarily.
In addition, many banks, brokerages, and financial institutions do not allow you to maintain your accounts using a foreign address. Therefore, if you move abroad, it is vital to maintain a local address for any continuing business you may have in your home country.
By using a virtual mailing address, you can receive payments from online clients, utilize it for business and personal bills, receive packages, and so much more.
Here’s what you need to know.
What is a Virtual Mailbox?
A virtual mailbox is a service that gives you a physical mailing address or post office box that you can use as a permanent address for mail, packages, and businesses. With this service, your incoming mail gets opened, scanned, and sorted. You then receive a digital copy in your virtual mailbox.
Not being tied down to one physical address is super beneficial when you want to travel the world or run a business from afar. By shifting to a virtual mail service, you get an all-in-one mail solution.
Virtual mailbox services may include:
Online mail notifications
Scanning and online viewing
Forwarding of your mail and packages
Package storage
Shredding + disposal or recycling
Check deposit service
Signature upon delivery
How Does a Virtual Mailbox Work?
Different virtual mailbox services come with different things, but the process is typically the same. First, you choose a real, physical address from a list provided by that service. This will be the mailing address that you share with family, friends, and businesses.
Once mail is sent to this address, it will be received, scanned, and uploaded to your digital portal. You will then be notified there is new mail, which you can view from any device like your phone, laptop, or tablet. Upon viewing, you can decide if you want the physical mail to be forwarded to you, stored, or if you want it securely shredded.
Are Virtual Mail Services Safe to Use?
Virtual mailboxes are extremely safe, even more so than your average mailbox. When using a regular mailbox, mail and packages sit unprotected until you physically collect them. When using a virtual mailbox, your mail is collected immediately, managed professionally, and stored or discarded securely.
Who Needs a Virtual Mailing Address or Virtual Mail Service?
Virtual mailbox services are alluring to long-term travelers, online business owners, digital nomads, expats, military families, and RV travelers. This service is perfect for providing privacy of your real address, keeping your residency in the United States for tax purposes, and allowing for flexibility when running a business remotely from anywhere.
Truthfully, just about anyone can benefit from a virtual mailbox service. Whether you are moving across the world, or just across the neighborhood, having to constantly change your address is a burden. They are easy to set up and provide solutions to a lot of common mail delivery problems.
The Importance of Maintaining a U.S. Mailing Address
Many businesses do not allow you to maintain your accounts using a foreign address. Therefore, when you move abroad, it is vital to maintain a U.S. address for any continuing financial activity you may have in the States, including but not limited to:
maintaining tax residency
running a remote or online business
managing bank and brokerage accounts
The Best Virtual Mail Services for Expats & Digital Nomads
Anytime Mailbox
Anytime Mailbox is one of the best virtual mailboxes to use when traveling and living abroad. As with all virtual mail services, you pick a real address from a list of their locations, select the service plan that works best for you, then manage your mail from anywhere at any time.
Anytime Mailbox has a long list of clients who are well-known business professionals, making them a secure and credible virtual mail service. You can choose from features like opening and scanning documents, forwarding mail, depositing checks, and more.
Anytime Mailbox plans start at $5.99 per month.
ANYTIME MAILBOX
KEY FEATURES
✓ Real Street Addresses
✓ Mail and Package Forwarding
✓ Open and Scan Mail (PDFs)
✓ Global Network
✓ Check Deposit
✓ Free Unlimited Online Storage
VIRTUAL POST MAIL (VPM)
VPM's mission is to help you launch and grow your remote business. With a dedicated team, reliable services, and engaged users, VPM's services aim to solve some of the biggest challenges that come with running a business remotely.
To do this, VPM provides a platform of business and address solutions to enable businesses to run remotely without being tied down to a physical location.
VPM plans start at $20 per month.
VIRTUAL POST MAIL
KEY FEATURES
✓ Virtual Mailbox: Manage mail remotely
✓ TruLease: Real business address backed by lease
✓ Registered Agent: State compliance for LLCs & Corps
✓ TruResidence: Home address to establish residency & open accounts
✓ TruStart: Video courses to help you set up your LLC
Traveling Mailbox
Traveling Mailbox is another trusted virtual mailbox service to choose from. Their process includes scanning the outside of your mail, managing and letting them know what you want to do with it, forwarding or storing your mail, and depositing checks from anywhere.
Traveling Mailbox has been around since 2011, providing efficient mail service delivery for over a decade. The service also offers integrated services like Google Drive, Dropbox, and One Drive for your convenience in management.
Traveling Mailbox services start at $15 per month.
TRAVELING MAILBOX
KEY FEATURES
✓ We scan the outside of each envelope
✓ Tell us to open and scan, forward, or shred
✓ Securely view your mail online anywhere
✓ Forward your Mail and Packages anywhere
✓ Deposit your checks to your bank account
iPostal1
iPostal1 is another popular virtual mailbox service to consider. As a subsidiary of LegalZoom they’ve been on the forefront of digital mailbox technology since 2007, and they pride themselves as the #1 digital mailbox service worldwide with over 2,500 real physical street addresses to choose from.
This service offers the option to choose addresses at office buildings and workspaces or discounted international forwarding locations to save up to 80% on international shipping from the U.S. A unique feature includes the ability to manage multiple virtual addresses using a single account.
iPostal1 plans start at $9.99 per month.
Perfect for viewing and managing personal or business mail remotely
Individuals and families
Small office and home businesses
Entrepreneurs and start-ups
Porch piracy and package theft prevention
Expats and students
Companies that want a presence in many markets
How to Choose the Best Virtual Mailbox
You must always consider which features you need the most when choosing a virtual mailbox service. Pay attention to plan limits and calculate how much mail you receive. To combat copious amounts of mail being sent, transition to digital mail and paperless billing. In addition to this, some institutions want a real physical address instead of a post office box, so make sure you are careful in your plan selection.
Communication and mailing have evolved in this digital age. Take advantage of technology that is available and beneficial to you. While traveling and living abroad, you can experience the ease of having your mail forwarded and handled for you.
Renovating Life contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through these links, we will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Links like this allow us to continue providing top-quality content at no cost to you.
Sources:
John Eletto (2021) How Does a Virtual Mailbox Work
Mathew Karsten (2022) 5 Best Virtual Mailbox Service
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