PO Box vs UPS Store vs Virtual Mailbox for Your Small Business

If you are running a small business from your home, you may want to get a business address to use with the public and for government forms and databases. Should you use a PO Box, a UPS Store Box, or a Virtual Mailbox (like Earthclassmail or Anytime Mailbox)?
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#businessmailbox #virtualmailbox

[@PostalMateTraining]

You can also get a Private Mailbox from your local Mom and Pop pack and ship store! You can receive any type of package from these stores, even Amazon and you can support small businesses in your area! Some are even as inexpensive as the US Postal Boxes and A lot of these stores also have virtual mailbox services that they offer as well!

[@ElizabethPW]

Yep, most of the places on anytimemailbox and ipostal1 are little mom and pop shops

[@spraycandy01]

I’m setting up a shopify right now and ran into the issue of having my home address displayed to any potential customers which was very concerning and I wasn’t sure what to do. This video was very helpful and you did a great job of outlining the pros and cons of each option in an honest way. Thank you so much for this video, I feel a lot less overwhelmed.

[@ElizabethPW]

Great to hear!!

[@worldaroundyounearyou]

I use to have shoppyfy and they close my store when someone spend more than 300$ never gave me a reason why they close my account

[@stinkydanlucas]

same here...Which service did you decide on?

[@spraycandy01]

@@stinkydanlucas I went for the UPS mailbox and started with the three month plan to try it out and just updated to the 6 month plan which I paid about $125 for. It’s pricier for sure but I feel it comes off more professional to have a street address.

[@stinkydanlucas]

@@spraycandy01 I ended up going with Ipostal. I got a local street address and nearby office. It has app access too

[@financialfreedomseed_com]

This was very helpful. Such an integral part of small businesses that doesn't get talked about enough IMO

[@TeedyASMR]

man i'm so glad there's videos for nearly everything these days. thank you for making this comparison vid!!

[@mmitra72]

Very well explained. Super Informative.

[@meatykins]

Super informative, thank you!

[@jdotcelis]

Thank you so much for this video! Without much research I chose Virtual but you basically clarified it and im glad i chose it! Thank you! Can’t wait for the next video to see which virtual mailbox is best fit!

[@ElizabethPW]

Glad it helped!

[@N-SS]

Finally, a video that was helpful, informative, detailed and easy to understand. I was already aware of the differences, but you gave much more clarity. Thank you Elizabeth!

[@ElizabethPW]

Great to hear!

[@rogerfarley3300]

An added value to UPS is... you can also use their physical delivery access for your local address, which I need for Shopify returns... many business services will not accept a PO Box as an address. Great video!

[@ElizabethPW]

Good point about UPS stores!

[@amberzappotta6668]

UPS stores are terrible, they only offer UPS. Go to an independent mailing store that offers all of the carriers and services plus more at a discounted price. Lol, this must be someone paid by UPS to make think you are getting great service. Most independent ship & pack locations offer these services at a discounted price.

[@Xiosoranox]

@@amberzappotta6668 UPS IS an independent mailing store. It's not that anyone's getting paid, it's that most USPS locations don't have a physical address associated with P.O. Boxes. Banks, insurance companies and many other businesses will not accept P.O. Boxes as a mailing option so you literally have to go with UPS because your mailbox is listed as a physical address with them.

[@dujuanjohnson5025]

@@amberzappotta6668 UPS STORE IS BETTER!

[@wreckgirl]

Thanks! Very much appreciate the concise info.

[@ElizabethPW]

You're welcome!

[@Laylasflow]

This was very helpful! Thank you!

[@ElizabethPW]

Welcome!

[@Tiffany-RemoteOfficeGirl]

Thanks!🖥

[@ianfung503]

Hi Elizabeth! Another great package of info you’ve presented here. I was just wondering if one can use a Virtual Mailbox to setup an LLC for privacy.

[@ElizabethPW]

You can use the virtual mailbox for the mailing address. For the registered agent and the physical location address, they want a street address where someone is located -- but you can hire a registered agent for that

[@jeanetteagain6631]

Thanks 🙏🏻😉

[@ElizabethPW]

You're welcome 😊

[@isactucker3788]

Don't forget about independent mail stores with boxes :).

[@ElizabethPW]

Thanks for the reminder!

[@user-ky1vd1wx5r]

Elizabeth, so glad I found your YT channel. I am at the point where I am frustrated and have switched back and forth from USPS and UPS. I was looking at the Virtual Mailbox option. But I just need a physical address for my business (IRS and Banks, etc) hence I got the UPS box, but it is 4 times more $$$ than PO Box. My question is, I get checks so I need an inperson box. But can I get a virtual box and have them forward to my PO BOX? Thank you in advance and I have subscribed to your channel its very helpful!

[@ElizabethPW]

Hm it depends on the virtual mailbox. Some only forward to your actual address and some forward to anywhere you want. You may need to ask them to find out

[@marcfruchtman9473]

Thank you for the video! I didn't know about all the different services other than PO Box. Re: PO Boxes, as you mentioned, a PO Box is not considered a "physical street address", and one of the downsides of that is certain companies will not allow delivering packages to PO Boxes. Another example is when something requires a signature, the mail cannot be sent to a PO Box. I don't quite understand the utility of the "Virtual" mailing address with regard to packages or mail that I want to have forwarded to me. Wouldn't that markedly increase the cost over PO Box and UPS since I would have to pay again to have it delivered?

[@ElizabethPW]

There are some PO Boxes that have a street address, but not all of them. But yes if you are getting lots of non-USPS packages then I'd guess a UPS Store would work best (but you'd need to pick up in person).

[@erkle93]

Hi Elizabeth - THANK YOU! This was super helpful for me - especially as I'm starting a new online business. I'd like the option for a PO Box/virtual mailbox to simply to attach a return address to my shipping labels and anonymize my actual address from customers - I don't plan on receiving mail (aside from returns) to that address. Does a virtual mailbox give you the flexibility to ship/send from that address while still receiving mail from my home address?

[@ElizabethPW]

Some virtual mailboxes charge you extra for receiving boxes. So it really depends. I'd say that usually a PO Box or a UPS Store box is best for returns (until you are big enough to use a fulfillment service)

[@Rick-gv7uk]

Hi Elizabeth, Thank you for the video! Do you know if the city of San Francisco and the California Secretary of State will generally accept the use of a virtual mailbox from Anytime mailbox or Ipostal1 as a physical address for foreign qualification e registration? In theory they are a real physical address with a # number at the end, right? Thanks!

[@ElizabethPW]

answered in your other comment

[@user-pc4vu1rj6c]

Thank you for ur helpful information, but could you inform me about, can I use a CA virtual address for my Delaware LLC and EIN formation?? Or is there any tax issue from CA state??

[@ElizabethPW]

Whether you'd need to pay taxes in CA isn't about just using a virtual address there -- you'd need other physical apsects for "nexus" like employees, inventory, an office, etc.

[@andrecarvalho3376]

Hello Elizabeth, thanks for the video! I'm not from the USA, and I'll be there on vacation in November. I’ll be for very few days, and one day I'll pass nearby Delaware, which doesn’t have taxes, so I'm planning to buy some stuff online (Amazon, Best Buy, New Egg) and send it to one place like P.O. Box, UPS Store, or Virtual Mailbox. It looks like the size of the products does not fit the Amazon locker. Which service would you recommend to send the packages and local pickup (since I'm using a lot of AIRBNB on this trip, I won't have the hotel to receive the packages)?

[@ElizabethPW]

Hm to accept a bunch of packages, UPS Store is best. But you may have trouble opening it online vs anytime mailbox

[@rafraf715]

hi elizabeth. we are wondering if you can use a UPS address as both the business address and mailing address here in california to form an LLC? privacy wise we are not comfortable putting our homes as the place of business.. we will be planning on just selling online through amazon FBA..

[@ElizabethPW]

So you might be able to do that with the current bizfile system, but the registeted agent needs to be an address that is a physical location where an agent of the company can accept legal documents (like be served with a lawsuit), so a UPS store won't work for that.

[@InTheParentSeat]

Hello, I’m considering getting an llc and adding to my TikTok shop. I don’t want customers having my personal address. Would UPS be the best option since I can get a real address instead of a P.O. Box?

[@ElizabethPW]

For an LLC you'd need a registered agent address (where a person is there) for the RA address. You could us a PO Box or UPS Store for your mailing address but the RA needs to be a human person there. Typically best idea is a service like www.northwestregisteredagent.com/

[@judykristensen6113]

So I’m a micro I fluencer and get packages sent to me from fans and have to have my address fully private. Would you recommend a virtual box and if so which one that completely hides my address. I just want a fake address I can give to my viewers but have the box show up at my house.

[@ElizabethPW]

Hm I don't know of one where they automatically forward boxes to your house. If you get UPS Store or USPS they will accept the boxes but you have to pick it up. If you use a virtual they will forward boxes but it is really expensive (you are paying for that shipping)

[@jenniferc2030]

Thank you for the video, Elizabeth. Can I use a UPS mailbox address to register on trademark application as my mailing address?

[@ElizabethPW]

Yes you can use the UPS mailbox address as the mailing address

[@Whocasperrantz]

@@ElizabethPW so does this mean that I am able to use a ups mailbox for all of my website and business info? I’m just now starting my business and I want to use an ups store but I do not know the limitations of using ups instead of virtual.

[@alansnyder8448]

Where can I learn more about virtual mailboxes? Thanks for this video. I'm right now facing this choice for the first time. I'm my case I have an LLC which is a holding company for my patents and software I write. I will get almost no mail, but when I do it would be a contract that might arrive by FedEx or UPS. I think for me this eliminates the P.O. Box. But still leaves the UPS Mailbox (which is a real address) and a virtual mailbox. Right now I know I have a UPS Store close by and convenient but it will be very expensive. I'm just today learning about the Virtual Mailbox, so need to do more research on that. What is the best way to figure out if the virtual mailbox is right for my case?

[@ElizabethPW]

Check out the local virtual mailbox addresses to make sure they have the features you want (such as getting fedex & ups) - they would be cheaper than UPS store but only are good if they have what you want

[@alansnyder8448]

@@ElizabethPW Thanks. I've done some research on Thursday and Friday and right now, I'm trying to decide between (a) iPostal1 with a premium address which would be about 60ish, and using the address of a local workspace which would be a much better address if anyone were to google the address. I don't expect a lot of mail but want to work with some big companies and wonder if a better mail address might result in a few better leads. I'm not sure, but once you get an address it seems hard to change it.

[@antoinette-mays]

When you have the mail at a virtual address “forwarded” so you can open it, is there generally a fee involved? I know there’s a fee to pickup.

[@ElizabethPW]

Typically yes, you pay for shipping and sometimes another fee (but sometimes the first x number is no fee)

[@SooperTrooper100]

I am considering a UPS Store box. The closest one asks for 2 forms of ID but doesn’t say what I need to bring with me to get set up. I did email them this afternoon and I hope to read their response tomorrow but thought I would ask here also. I do have my drivers license but wonder what the second form of ID needs to be.

[@phototristan]

Passport or birth certificate

[@ElizabethPW]

One photo ID and one can be a non-photo ID. Call them to ask to make sure, but the other one should be something that has your address, like a utility bill, car insurance card, etc.

[@kingdomimage]

hello, do you know if a PO Box can be used as a principal business address in Georgia?

[@ElizabethPW]

I don't know about Georgia, but usually a PO Box is a mailing address, not a principal place of business (which is a location)

[@thanoviceinvestor]

Hi! Thanks for the awesome content. I started a new LLC and used a vurtual addresss. I intend to sell on Amazon so my biz will be completely online. Question: Can I use a virtual address for a business license and application for reseller permit? My virtual address is in a different city from my home.

[@ElizabethPW]

It depends on the city where you are getting the biz license. For the sellers permit they sometimes look up the address so they might reject a virtual one

[@thanoviceinvestor]

@@ElizabethPW thank you! How about the business license. Are you saying that if the City is ok with it I can use a virtual address (in a different city than my residence) for an online business license?

[@ElizabethPW]

Some cities are okay with it yes because they are more concerned about taxes versus zoning / permitting certain business activities

[@kelleebethel3284]

😢ty for this information. My question is I need to get my business license but I can't use a PO box, will a UPS mailbox work?

[@ElizabethPW]

Depends on the city -- some look it up (and see that it is a UPS store) and some do not.

[@vincenza2319]

Hi Elizabeth. I'm opening my own little business on Etsy and don't want to use home address as the return address for privacy purposes. Does having a P.O Box just to use solely as a return address only smart to have? My personal mail would come to my home address. Thank you!

[@ElizabethPW]

Yes you can use a PO Box for returns but you typically have to input it as the street address for the PO Box (ask USPS about it)

[@vincenza2319]

@@ElizabethPW Thank you!

[@definecoco27]

I'm a small business owner so what would you prefer? I trying to kick start on esty. So I want to do some price difference and check with them.

[@ElizabethPW]

If you need to be able to accept returns, look at either the PO Box or UPS Store

[@definecoco27]

@@ElizabethPW Thank you mam! I will take a look at USPS And also register with them.

[@goodnatured3925]

People can track you through Amazon if I order something for the business or personal?

[@ElizabethPW]

Not sure what you mean

[@varun25p]

Hi EliZabeth, I am planning to open a LLC and have below questions. I don't want to use my Home address for LLC formation. Please clarify on the below. 1. Can i use UPS Mail Box street address for my Business Physical Address, Mailing Address and for EIN filing with IRS? 2. Can i use Registered agent by myself with my Home address? By using home address for Registered agent show up in the public? 3. Does Banks allow using UPS Mail Box street address for opening Business Bank Accounts?

[@ElizabethPW]

You can use a UPS store box for mailing address, but registered agent address and physical location address needs to be a physical location where you are actually located. The bank will accept the UPS mailbox for your mailing address but will likely want the real location address for the owners/officers who are signing on the account

[@rafraf715]

@@ElizabethPW to clarify on this we cannot use a UPS physical address as the business address? how come there are conflicting answers from lawyers regarding this physical address for the business? Even though our place of business will be technically at home since we will only be selling online and amazon will handle returns as well. i called secretary of state and i spoke with someone at their corporate line and they mentioned just as long as UPS has a physical address and is NOT a P.O. box then they will accept and process this as business address and mailing address...

[@ThComedy_]

Hello, which virtual box do you use? Thank you!

[@ThComedy_]

Oop! I see you have another video for this!

[@kyrareneeLOA]

What was not talked about is the independent mail box rental stores... To me they are the best, if your city has some. I had 4 independent stores, never lost mail. always a great owner... but it depends

[@ElizabethPW]

I did multiple videos about this topic, and do talk about them in other videos. But yes in certain situations they can be a great solution

[@123itsmejosh]

can i use the address of my Virtual Mailbox as the main address on my LLC so i don't have to use my home address?

[@ElizabethPW]

You can for sure use it as your mailing address. For location/domicile address, it depends on who you are giving to, some places don't accept virtual for that

[@natalieschannel4508]

I would like to know if I can use the virtual address, which will be my business address to ship products? Also, can I mail off my shipments to my customers by taking the packages to the U.S. post office and mailing them using the virtual address?

[@ElizabethPW]

Well you can use a virtual address as the return address, in theory, but you have to check with the virtual address company to see what happens to returned mail -- they may charge a lot for it

[@natalieschannel4508]

@ElizabethPW OK thanks.

[@robtxrealtor]

All i need is an address that doesn't look like a PO box for my new real estae buisiness. I won't be getting much mail at all. Maybe once or twice a year Thx!

[@sam10818]

Can government lookup the UPS mailbox address and figure out if it's not a physical/residence address?

[@ElizabethPW]

Yep!!! And they do.

[@sam10818]

@@ElizabethPW so we shouldn't file our taxes on those addresses like not to use them as residential address? I'm asking because I'm thinking to live out of my car in the future, so just wondering. Please let me know

[@shermekagordon6890]

Whats best for business accounts?

[@ElizabethPW]

I'd have the same answer for a business account as I said in the video -- the answer is to pick which one satisfies your needs

[@JoE-fi6vv]

Which of these services, if any, require an adult to sign up?

[@ElizabethPW]

Hm for all of them you must have a document notarized. That requires ID so the minor has to at least have a driver's license or other state ID. Or a passport. The USPS specifically says a minor can get a PO Box but you have to get it in person. Of course each virtual mailbox company can make their own rules so they could not allow until someone is 18.

[@JoE-fi6vv]

@@ElizabethPW thanks for the help

[@shawnagustafson1628]

My local PO box costs over $90 every 6 months for the smallest option. Is that normal?

[@shawnagustafson1628]

I sell on etsy and am just looking for a way to have my return address me something other than my home. It would be very rare for me to get mail, but still need to have a return address in case something gets lost or someone needs to make a return.

[@ElizabethPW]

Typically a PO Box is the cheapest, and yes that sounds typical

[@PatienceMelissa]

Mine costs $222/year!

[@gorkyd7912]

Yes, they costed $100 every 6 months for me and then they lie to me saying they closed my box because I didn't pay. There are tons of cheaper virtual mailbox services in the $99 - $150/year range that will forward mail, scan contents, deposit checks, etc. PO boxes will do none of these things and frankly I think they're a scam.

[@jstl7957]

I am sorry but I disagree when you said a PO Box is the cheapest way to get a mailing address. I have had my PO Box for decades and they keep raising the prices. For six months they used to charge about $48. However within the past few years their rates had been steadily rising. Now, March 9, 2024, they want $91 for that same box. That is certainly not cheap. Especially so when they are drop the ball on their service. For example: forgetting to put a yellow card in my box informing me a package has arrived, that will not fit in the box and that I need to go to the counter to pick it up. That is extremely annoying. What do they say? Short staffed. Well, I understand but that is not what I am paying for. Searching for an alternative.

[@ElizabethPW]

Sorry you had troubles with them! Yes their fees are going up, but they may still be the least expensive compared to other solutions.

[@jstl7957]

Staples (office supply) will setup a box for someone and only charge $10/month vs. USPS whose rates come out to $15.17/month. For packages they may charge you $1 for each package. With your account you can logon see your mail and what you don't want they will shred for you no charge. Still checking alternatives. @@ElizabethPW

[@Jsfreedom]

I HEARD YOU NEED NOTORIZED FORMS TO OPEN A UPS BOX ACCOUNT.

[@ElizabethPW]

At the UPS Store they can help you with the forms