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How much does a PO box cost?
The price for renting a P.O. Box varies per region and city. It can be as little as $17 for a monthly rental of a small box in some areas, while in other locations the cost is $75 per month for the largest sizes. A box that is about the size of a regular mailbox in a major metropolitan area can be rented for $51 for a three-month period.
Other charges aside from the rental fee also apply. The USPS will charge a $3 deposit for the first two keys, and a $6 fee for additional duplicate keys. Note, there may also be a late payment and lock replacement fee of $20 per occurrence; these apply only in cases where there is an issue so not everyone will need to pay them.
The US Postal Services (USPS) offers P.O. Boxes to people who need a convenient mail solution or otherwise don’t have access to a regular mailbox. These tools are a rental for a space at a local post office to collect your mail and packages. One of the key advantages of a P.O. Box is its convenience, and USPS offers different box sizes and rental periods to suit any personal or business needs. Here is an overview of the process and reasons as to why an individual or small business may want to purchase a P.O. Box for their mailing solutions.
About P.O. Box
If you are a business or individual who does not want to have your mail delivered to your home, you may want to consider getting a P.O. Box. This is an excellent way to protect your privacy and keep your mail away from prying eyes. Plus, if you ever need to move, having a P.O. Box can make moving much easier.
What is a P.O. Box?
A Post Office Box is a physical address that businesses and individuals can use to receive mail. The Post Office keeps track of all the mail that goes to a P.O. Box, but the individual or business who owns the box cannot access this information. This is an excellent way to protect your privacy.
You can get a P.O. Box through your local Post Office or by using a company like U-Haul or Home Depot that provides this PO Box service. You will need to provide your name, address, and phone number. You will also need to pay a fee for the box and for the monthly premium service fee that goes along with it.
Your home address is public information, and it can be accessed by anyone who wants to look it up. If you want to keep your address private, getting a P.O. Box is the best way to do this. Post office location can also be used to find out if someone lives at a certain address.
There are a few things to keep in mind when getting a P.O. Box. First, you will need to find a Post Office that has a box available. Second, you will need to decide how much money you want to spend on the box and on postage. Third, you will need to decide how often you want to receive mail from the outside world. Finally, you will need to create an account with the Post Office and set up your box.
Advantages of getting a P.O. Box
There are many advantages to getting a P.O. Box. First, it is an excellent way to protect your privacy. Your mail will not be delivered to your home, and you will have complete control over who can access your mail. Second, if you ever need to move, having a P.O. Box can make moving much easier because you will not have to worry about packing and shipping your belongings. Finally, using a P.O. Box can save you money on postage.
Disadvantages of getting a P.O. Box
There are also some disadvantages to getting a P.O. Box. First, you may have to spend a bit of time locating a P.O. Box. Second, if you have a lot of mail, it may be difficult to store it all in your P.O. Box. Finally, if your business or individual does not receive a lot of mail, using a P.O. Box may not be the best option for you.
PO Box Online
If you are interested in getting a P.O. Box, but do not want to deal with the hassle of going to the Post Office, you can also use P.O. Box services online. These services will provide you with a P.O. Box, and will take care of all the paperwork for you. This is an excellent option if you are not comfortable dealing with paperwork.
PO Box Rental
If you do not want to get a P.O. Box, or if you only need a temporary address, you can also rent a P.O. Box from the Post Office. This is an excellent option if you need a short-term address, or if you are moving frequently.
Typically, a month rental of a P.O. Box is necessary, and you will need to provide the Post Office with your name, address, and phone number. You will also need to pay the rental fee, which is usually around $5 per month.
Why get a P.O. Box?
A P.O. Box is an individual box for people. There is typically a whole section of them in local post offices, and they are available for rental in order to establish a mailing address for a person or business. They are convenient and cheap solutions for when a mail collection or address is needed.
The application requires the PS Form 1093, once the online reservation is complete or you are ready to apply in-person. Take it to the Post Office with two acceptable forms of ID to show proof of address.
Convenience and Flexibility
The key factor for choosing a P.O. Box is convenience and flexibility. Rather than deal with the hassle of establishing a mailbox or a new address, a P.O. Box can be selected to receive mail and be sent to one location. And since it is right inside a post office, it can represent a one-stop trip to pickup and send mailings.
Security
PO boxes are more secure than most mailboxes at your home or business. When mail comes to your PO box, you can count on it being secure. No one else will see your mail (aside from the people in the post office), and you (or the people you specify) are the only ones who can pick it up.
Think of it this way: your mail’s not sitting outside in a mailbox all day long, where anyone can open the box and take your mail (or see what’s in your mailbox)! A PO box is locked, and only you have the keys to pick up the mail.
Privacy
A PO box also offers more privacy than a mailbox at your home. For one thing, no one will know your PO box address. Only the people and businesses you choose will have that information, and no one else.
Having a PO box may be especially important if you run a business from your home. With a PO box, you can give out that address rather than your home address. Your mail and personal address stay private.
Faster Mail Delivery
Another benefit of having a PO box is that your mail can be “mailed” right at the post office (or the facility you rent the box from)! Your mail won’t have to travel with the postal person all day long, until they reach your home or business. The PO box keeps your mail available and ready for you to pick up at any time, too!
Size of the Box
The size of the rented box makes a difference in the cost. The larger boxes are going to cost more, so be sure to analyze your anticipated usage needs when looking through the options. A smaller box is fine for just regular mail and small packages. For a business that specializes in product distribution, the larger size is more applicable.
Location
Location is also a consideration. The boxes are located at local post offices, so it is easy to find a rental nearby. This will allow you to pick up your mail as a quick daily or weekly errand. And for someone who possibly moves around frequently, having a P.O. Box establishes a sense of permanency for mail delivery without having to worry about letters or packages becoming lost or sent to an old PO Box address.
There are also safety issues to consider. For individuals who want to keep their address hidden, a P.O. Box allows that to happen. The same with a business that may be a sole proprietor or run out of a home. The boxes are also secure, with being inside a local office and opened with your individual key. Also packages can be delivered to the box or to the postal office itself, which has become an issue among the rash of package thefts from right off home patios.
Available Sizes (source)
| Box Type | Dimensions | Capacity |
| Extra small | 5″ x 5 1/2″ x 14 3/4″ | 10-15 letters (or) 2 rolled magazines |
| Small | 5 1/2″ x 11″ x 14 3/4″ | 10-15 letters (or) 5 rolled magazines |
| Medium | 5 1/2″ x 11″ x 14 3/4″ | Stack large envelopes flat |
| Large | 11″ x 11″ x 14 3/4″ | 10-15 letters (and) 2 shoe boxes stacked flat |
| Extra large | 12″ x 22 1/2″ x 14 3/4″ | Flat-rate boxes and parcels |
Cost Breakdown
The USPS lists the rental sizes in their offices, and it can also be found on their website. The extra small sizes are going to run much cheaper than the extra-large box sizes, even for the same rental period.
The price for renting a P.O. Box varies per region and city. It can be as little as $19 for a monthly rental of a small box in some areas, while in other locations the cost is $75 per month for the largest sizes.
Other charges aside from the rental fee also apply. The USPS will charge a three dollar deposit for the first two keys, and a six dollar fee for additional duplicate keys. Note, there may also be a late payment and lock replacement fee of $20 per occurrence; these apply only in cases where there is an issue so not everyone will need to pay them.
Another pricing factor is the length of the rental period. USPS offers discounts for paying in advance for a longer period, rather than automatic deductions for a shorter term.
The USPS sets the PO Box prices each year, so there may be annual fluctuations based on market share, availability, and
The rental for a monthly period can be done with autopay right through the portal, if you are looking for a convenient pay option aside from a check.
There also no-fee reservations available in certain circumstances if USPS does not deliver to an area. That makes a P. O. Box an option for families and businesses in more rural areas.
Wrap-Up
Your PO Box number will be the same as your street address. You will need to provide your street address when you apply for a P.O. Box, and the Post Office will send you a box number. You can then go to the Post Office and have your mail delivered to your P.O. Box.
The cost of a P.O. Box can be averaged based on the size chosen. A box that is about the size of a regular mailbox in a major metropolitan area can be rented for $51 for a three-month period, plus the $3 key charge.
That represents an affordable price for small-to-large businesses which need a mailing solution. There are many benefits to a P.O. Box instead of delivery to a regular home or business address. Chief among it is convenience, and not having to worry about security for packages or deliveries.
And with everything done online on the USPS site, it is easier and more convenient than ever to manage your account or rent a P.O. Box.
