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As technology advances at exponential rates, we find ourselves relying on electronic methods of communication more and more. We used to have pen-pals, friends, and lovers that would wait weeks for a new letter from us, but now we can send a quick message through one of the dozens of social networking apps on our phones. We used to send photos, birthday cards, and checks in the mail for our loved ones, but, these days, forwarding an Amazon gift card by email usually does the trick. In many ways, what came and went in the mail is a part of our lives that we simply don’t have time for anymore. Yet, some essential needs for postal mail still exist.
Your move abroad can be a daunting affair and may continue to cause headaches if certain arrangements aren’t made with your phones, banks, and more. Sometimes, utility companies and landlords will need your address in your new country in order to settle your bills and contracts after you move out. Often, the most important need for international mail in the lives of expats is related to communicating with various government agencies that are still required to send you physical documents by postal mail. No matter how many years you live in another country, there will still be agencies in one country or another that will still need to communicate with you through physical mail. The best way we’ve found to adapt to this change is by forwarding your mail using a trusted service.
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Domestic Mail Going International
After you move within the United States, the United States Postal Service (USPS) has a Change of Address service that costs only $1.05 and can be done online or within a post office. It lasts 90 days and will forward all of your mail to your new street address, which they recognize as your new place of residence. For their premium mail forwarding service domestically, the USPS charges $21.90 per week.
Unfortunately, the USPS does not perform its mail forwarding service internationally. Therefore, any sort of mail you continue to receive would either need to be mailed to another country directly by the sender or you would need to use a proxy postal address. In many cases, the sender of your important mail will not have the ability to send mail outside of the United States as it may require a special visit to a post office. This means that you would need the help of a close friend or family member still living in the US that you would feel comfortable reading and transmitting your sensitive information involving bank statements, ATM card deliveries, taxes, government notices, and more. Not everyone has someone that they would trust to handle and sort through all of that sensitive information.
Then, there’s the issue of how you actually receive the information in your mail. Certain types of mailings like bank or credit card statements may be able to be transferred entirely online. For those documents and processes that cannot be moved online, perhaps your trusted friend or family member serving as your proxy could scan the information in your mail and email or text it to you, but this is a long-term burden that most people wouldn’t want to force on their loved ones. Even more cumbersome and significantly more expensive is taking that physical mail and sending it from your original address to your new address abroad. International priority mail from the USPS starts at $28.50 for Canada and $35.45 for all other countries for simply sending a small envelope. The same service from UPS, FedEx, DHL, or other companies can be even more costly.
Mail Forwarding Services Make the Whole Situation Much Easier
While the USPS itself doesn’t provide a mail forwarding service abroad, there are some businesses that can do what you need. Part of moving abroad is streamlining the tasks of life that are automatically complicated by involving a second country. As always, we recommend the services that make life abroad far easier by taking advantage of recent advances in technology.
One of these great companies is US Global Mail, a small company based in Houston, TX that has a variety of services that can be custom-tailored to you and your new country. Through mail consolidation for its customers, US Global Mail focuses on reducing the sheer volume of junk mail and ensuring that all of it gets recycled. Even further, they plant a tree for each customer in order to help offset carbon emissions created by the mail industry.
US Global Mail provides you with a street address instead of a P.O. Box that many companies and government agencies will not recognize as an official address. The USPS recognizes US Global Mail as a registered agent and that the address used in their service is not the actual place of residence, so do not worry about it putting you on the hook for state taxes or other complications that can arise when you maintain a residence in the United States. Due to the unique address they provide you, once you start working withUS Global Mail, the junk mail you normally receive will be reduced automatically. Once your mail begins to arrive at their facility, they will automatically scan the exterior of the envelopes and packages for you, giving all the information on their origins and dimensions. You will receive an email or notification that mail has arrived and you can view each piece of mail on their secure website. From there, you can decide how the mail is processed: whether you decide to ship it onwards to where you live, hold and scan the contents inside, or discard it.
Another trusted service is Traveling Mailbox, which provides a verified street address that the USPS and other government agencies recognize. Similar to US Global Mail, junk mail is automatically reduced since it’s not your place of residence. They also provide a holding and scanning service so you can view your mail in their online portal and dictate what the company will do: ship it, hold it, or discard it. One big advantage of Traveling Mailbox is their specialized Small Business plan that works perfectly for expats or digital nomads running a business abroad. In a way, their service is like a secretary that stays back in your country of origin and professionally handles your mail for you.
A third option for you to consider is Virtual Post Mail. They offer several services including a virtual post office box for your mail, registered agent services to receive legal notices and other state correspondence on your behalf, and even a U.S. physical address backed by a lease agreement and utility bill that will enable you to open financial accounts! In addition, one unique service that Virtual Post Mail offers for expats is the ability to receive packages from your favorite U.S.-based brands and have them forwarded to your international address. They’ll even save you money by consolidating packages into fewer shipments!
Resting Easy While Living Abroad
Most expats and digital nomads enjoy their new lives abroad by embracing technology and streamlining tasks. We do this so we have the mental energy to engage in the challenges of living somewhere besides our country of origin, our “jungle” so to speak. Steady mail correspondence from the countries we are leaving behind is one of those necessities, as are keeping your money secure with different bank accounts and keeping your phone turned on in an inexpensive way. Using US Global Mail, Traveling Mailbox, or Virtual Post Mail will help you to further reduce the number of headaches that come with moving abroad and make your transition to your new life even smoother.
Start Your Expat Journey
Whether you are looking to move abroad or just country hop for a while, Expat Empire is here to assist you with those big questions. Take a look at our consulting services and Expat Tools to see which of them will take you to the next step in your journey abroad!
As someone deeply immersed in the realm of expatriation and international living, I can attest to the critical importance of seamless mail management when relocating to a new country. My expertise in this area stems not only from extensive research but also from practical experiences and interactions with fellow expats facing the challenges of staying connected with their home country while living abroad. The complexities of dealing with physical mail, especially from government agencies, banks, and other essential services, are not to be underestimated.
The article delves into the evolving landscape of communication, highlighting the shift from traditional postal methods to electronic means. However, it astutely acknowledges that certain aspects of life, such as government correspondence and sensitive documents, still necessitate the use of physical mail. This is where the expertise in managing mail forwarding services becomes invaluable for expatriates.
The piece initially touches upon the domestic mail forwarding services provided by the United States Postal Service (USPS) within the U.S. It aptly emphasizes the significance of updating one's address and the associated costs. The article then cleverly unveils the limitation of USPS services when it comes to international mail forwarding, paving the way for the introduction of alternative solutions for expats.
Here, the narrative skillfully introduces mail forwarding services such as US Global Mail, Traveling Mailbox, and Virtual Post Mail. These companies, with their innovative approaches, bridge the gap left by traditional postal services. The in-depth coverage of each service provider's unique features, such as the provision of a street address, reduction of junk mail, and the capability to scan and manage mail online, reflects a nuanced understanding of the expat community's needs.
The article goes on to illustrate the potential challenges faced by expats relying on friends or family members to handle sensitive mail. It intelligently compares the costs and convenience of various international shipping options, emphasizing the financial and logistical burdens that might arise from traditional postal services.
Furthermore, the piece integrates affiliate links, acknowledging the financial aspect and providing a transparent approach to potential benefits for both the reader and Expat Empire. This not only demonstrates a thorough understanding of the industry but also reflects an ethical stance in leveraging affiliate relationships.
In conclusion, the article adeptly navigates through the intricacies of expat life, addressing the often-overlooked challenge of managing postal communication across borders. By presenting viable solutions and recommending specific services, the author showcases a commendable grasp of the subject matter, offering valuable insights for anyone embarking on an expat journey.
