Are you thinking about renting a PO Box? PO Box service offers many advantages. Along with the ability to keep your home address private while receiving documents and other mail, you can also use a PO Box to separate your business mail from personal mail while getting secure access to your mail.
Renting a PO Box can be affordable although the cost varies a great deal depending not only on the size of the box but also on your location and the rental period. For example, renting an extra small PO Box may cost as little as $9 for a 3-month period in some areas or up to $44 in other areas. Here’s what you should know about renting a PO Box and how you can save money.
PO Box Options
PO Boxes are available in five sizes. The smaller the post office box, the lower the cost.
- Extra Small (3″ x 5.5″ x 14.75″): This size can hold two magazines or up to 15 regular envelopes.
- Small (5″ x 5.5″ x 14.75″): This size can hold 5 magazines or up to 15 standard envelopes.
- Medium (11″ x 5.5″ x 14.75″): This size is the most popular and it can hold many magazines as well as large envelopes. The larger opening means mail can be stacked flat rather than rolled.
- Large (11″ x 11″ x 14.75″): Large PO boxes can hold two shoeboxes with room for up to 15 standard envelopes. This is a common size for small businesses.
- Extra Large (22.5″ x 12″ x 14.75″): This size can store Parcels and Flat Rate Boxes. It’s most commonly used by businesses.
Find Your Rate
PO Box rates vary by area as well as size. The best way to find out your rate is to use the USPS PO Box Rate Finder tool. You can enter your address to see available PO Boxes and rates in your area. You can reserve a PO Box online and create a USPS.com account that will allow you to make payments for your box rental as well.
PO Boxes tend to be more expensive in smaller areas where the USPS dominates the market. Each location is assigned a price not only by box size but also by fee group and whether the city or town is in a market dominant or competitive area.
After you find your rate, don’t forget to consider other costs. You will need to pay a $3 deposit per key, although there is no deposit for the first two keys if you are in a competitive location. There is also a key replacement or duplication fee of $6 and a lock replacement or late fee of $21.
Tips for Saving Money
While there is no way to negotiate the cost of a PO Box rental, there are two things you can do to save money. First, make sure you compare PO Box rates in surrounding areas. If you live in an area with several post offices nearby, you may save money by choosing a location a bit farther away. The downside to this is you will need to drive further to get your mail and it reduces the convenience of renting a PO Box.
You can also save money by changing your rental term. You can rent a PO Box for 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month periods. You will save around 15% if you choose a 6-month rental over a 3-month rental, although there is no savings for choosing a 12-month rental over a 6-month rental. If you know you’re going to use the PO Box for some time, opt for the 6-month rental if you can. Regardless of which rental term you choose, make sure you note it in your budget so you aren’t surprised when your renewal notice comes. You don’t want to pay the $21 late payment fee!
You can also compare the cost of a USPS PO Box with the cost for mailbox services at other businesses like MailBoxes Etc. and UPS. While you may find a better deal elsewhere, USPS usually offers the most affordable mailbox rentals.
