What is Mail Forwarding?
Mail Forwarding is a service to forward mail, letters, packages, etc from a US-based address (Not a P.O. Box!) for consumers who desire to take advantage of lower item and international shipping costs. By having a US-based address to ship items to, consumers can have more choice in what they buy, when, and where. These services have now changed, and many mail forwarding companies offer other incentives, such as: Concierge service (They will purchase for you), Consolidation service (Many packages combined to one), Virtual mailbox (Storage), Customs declaration, etc.
For most companies, registration is required. An account will allow you to access your mailbox, and create shipments for purchases made online. *Some companies may try to scam you by requesting an unusual number of verification documents. Please research to keep your personal and financial information safe!*
Also be sure to research what kind of mailbox you wish to have. Some companies which offer flat fee per package also have a bad habit of adding ‘extra’ surcharge for fuel, space, storage, notification, customs, etc. Make triple sure to research exactly how much it will cost if you are doing package by package basis. Having a membership with a mail forwarder however, will save you money in the long term, something to think about if you plan to do alot of shopping in the US.
Reputation is the most important aspect in choosing an International Mail Forwarder. The more reputable companies are more expensive, yes, but they make it up with customer service, custom requests, and accessibility. If you choose a cheap mail forwarding service, do not be surprised when you cannot reach the manager.
All companies offer different services, so we have listed several companies which you may investigate for mail forwarding purposes.
*CLICK THE PICTURE TO GO TO PRICING*