PO boxes, or Post Office boxes, are lockable boxes with a specific address that may be rented from a post office. For privacy or convenience, people utilize PO boxes to receive mail when they are away from home. On the other hand, PO boxes allow those who don’t have a fixed address to receive mail at a local post office (van lifers, for example).
Most postal items utilize a street address as the typical format for contact information. However, many businesses and people prefer to send to a post office box. It may be their only option. As a result, everyone who utilizes direct mail regularly should be familiar with how PO boxes function and how mailing to a PO box varies from conventional mailing.
PO Box Address:
PO box mailing address is the location of a numbered box in a post office where a person’s or organization’s letters are kept. The location of the mailbox is generally represented by a 2 to 5-digit number.
Businesses and individuals can rent PO boxes to receive mail and keep it at the post office. It expedites delivery, makes mailing to a PO box more secure than ordinary mail, and allows the receiver to receive mail at a different location, which is the best choice for someone who doesn’t want mail delivered to their home or office address.
How to write in PO Box:
Once you understand where to fill out the address and what contact information to provide, mailing to a PO box is simple. So, if you contact someone who rents a PO box, make sure to follow these steps:
Start at the center of the envelope:
It’s critical to write the letter or package’s name and address. A mishandled mail or parcel might come from incorrectly writing the recipient’s address and name. Otherwise, there will be even more delays.
Write the Address of Recipient in the Middle:
Begin writing the delivery address in the middle of the page. Place the recipient’s first and last name on the first address line. Put the recipient’s name just underneath the company or organization’s name while addressing a corporation or organization. After that, write “PO box” + 2-5 digit number to indicate the PO box number.
Write the company or organization (optional):
This step is only necessary if you’re writing to an organization or representative of a company. The name of the corporation or organization appears just beneath the recipient’s name.
Your address should look something like this at this stage in the process:
Miss Beth
ACME Innovations Inc.
Write PO Box number:
The recipient’s PO box number starts with the words “PO Box,” then a 2-5 digit number.
When sending a letter or package to a PO box, the USPS demands that all punctuation be removed. The following is an example of what your address should look like:
Miss Beth
ACME Innovations Inc.
PO BOX 86029
Write the city, state, and postal code to the bottom line:
Finally, you’ve reached the end of the process of addressing a letter or package to a PO box. In this part, you’ll write the name of the city, the state, and the province. Make sure you use a comma to separate the city and state.
The address should now seem something like this:
Jane Doe, M.D.
ACME Innovations Inc.
PO BOX 90629
2789113 New York, NY
Provide the ReturnAddress:
In the upper lefthand corner, write the return address. The return address is essential to immediately inform the recipient, the sender, and get back the mail piece if not delivered.
Double-check the Address Information and Send the Mail:
Examine whatever you’ve written on the envelope with care. You may take the letter to the post office and send it to one of the box locations once you’ve double-checked the delivery and return addresses.
How do PO Boxes work: 
You’ll need to understand how PO boxes function, whether shipping or setting one up for yourself. Even though operating a PO box isn’t difficult, there are still guidelines and constraints to follow.
PO box is a storage facility in the post office’s lobby where incoming mail for a specific recipient is kept. The owner may use a key or a combination lock to secure the box and access the delivery at any time. Even though any post office may rent a PO box, most mail recipients choose the nearest site.
For What Mail Sizes Are They Suitable?
Furthermore, keep shipment sizes in mind while selecting whether or not to utilize a PO box.
- Small postal boxes are suitable for personal or company mail that you pick up once a week.
- A medium-sized PO Box is generally a better choice if you subscribe to more than one periodical (like magazines, newspapers).
- A medium-large box is a suitable choice if you get mail monthly.
The five most common PO box sizes are shown below:
- 3′′ x 5 1/2′′ x 14 3/4′′ (X-Small): The PO box can adjust up to 2 rolled magazines or 10-15 letter-sized envelopes.
- Small (about 5′′ x 5 1/2′′ x 14 3/4′′): The compact box may hold up to five rolled magazines or ten to fifteen letter-sized envelopes.
- 11′′ x 5 1/2″ x 14 3/4′′ (medium size): If piled flat, this PO box would be large enough for large envelopes and magazines.
- 11′′ x 11′′ x 14 3/4′′ (large size): Two shoeboxes and 10-15 letters can be placed in this box.
- 22 1/2′′ x 12′′ x 14 3/4′′ (X-Large): This box may hold packages as well as Flat Rate Boxes.
You may always start with a small postal box and then upgrade later. If your mailbox routinely overflows, you will be asked to upgrade to a larger box. The aggravation of upgrading to a new box is not worth it.
Advantages of Mailing to a PO Box over Using a Street Address:
If you’re a startup and don’t want to give out your home address, a PO box might make you appear more professional. We’ve all heard of Apple, Amazon, Google, and other globally recognized businesses that began in a garage. So, if you’re a novice without a company address, rent a box for official correspondence. Through direct mail, you will be able to engage with partners and potential consumers while protecting your company’s reputation.
When banks, insurers, debt collectors, and other businesses need to deliver important correspondence, they frequently use a PO box rather than a standard street address. PO boxes are more secure than street mailboxes since they are placed in post offices. As a result, if you need to send a secret document or notice, you should always send it to a PO box.
E-commerce and other digital businesses, including startups, do not often have physical addresses. Nonetheless, they continue to receive printed communications and must exchange reliable contact information. That’s where using a PO box comes in handy. To receive well-protected storage for your business correspondence, apply for a personal box at your local post office.
When you mail to a PO box, you have the flexibility to pick up your mail and shipments whenever you choose. Rent a PO box to keep your mail if you wish to maintain the confidentiality and privacy of your correspondence while you’re gone.
PO Box Prices:
The cost of a PO Box varies based on the location and size. You will spend less if you opt for a post office box in an area of less demand.
PO Box has a 3-month minimum rental period; however, you can pay for a PO Box for up to a year. You can obtain a refund for the remaining unused term in 3-month increments if you cancel your PO Box before the leasing period ends. For example, if you rent a PO Box for six months and cancel during the second month, you will receive a refund for the remaining three months.
Getting PO Box Online:
- Go to the PO Boxes Online website to get PO Box.
- Select a location and mailbox size to reserve a mailbox.
- To the post office where your mailbox is located, bring two forms of identification and Form 1583.
- Obtain the keys to your post office box.
Getting PO Box in person:
- You should have 2 forms of ID with you.
- To get your PO Box, go to the post office where you want it to be. Save time and money by checking online first to see if the size of PO Box you want is available.
- Get a PO Box rental form (a variant of Form 1583). Please complete the form.
- Get your keys to your PO Box and turn it in at the desk.
After receiving your PO Box, the following step is to have your mail and parcels forwarded to it. A Change of Address Form can be filled out online or picked up at any post office. Complete the form and send it in.
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