Should I Cancel My I Postal 1 Mail Forwarding Account

09/25/24 @roddiesho.  Absolutely -- at the very least if you're going to pay someone, they should be able to forward your mail to you in Brazil. 

@Pablo888 has researched mail forwarding services that do that.  You can see his results in Post #1 it this thread:

https://www.expat.com/forum/viewtopic.p … 35#5962469

@abthree Thanx, I will keep the list. I agree, so I will take at least a year off and when I am in a position to return to the USA, I will consider it again.

Roddie in Retirement

@roddiesho, I am about to cancel my PO Box and start a US Global Mail with an address in Houston TX.

The PO Box is costing me $220/year.  US Global Mail is $14.95 / month billed annually.

Will let you know if I get a negative feedback - but I don't expect any.

@Pablo888 Do they deliver to Brazil? For me that was the game changer. I have only had reliable delivery from DHL.

Roddie in Retirement

   09/30/24 @Pablo888 Do they deliver to Brazil? For me that was the game changer. I have only had reliable delivery from DHL.
Roddie in Retirement-@roddiesho

Any of the mail forwarding services generally offer your choice of express companies, usually at a discount from list price.  For something that's time-sensitive,  like something from the IRS or Social Security or new credit cards, I opt for DHL.  Most other things  I have sent US International Priority Mail, which is trackable, and arrives in Manaus in about a month. When in doubt about a business letter, I have them open it and scan it for a couple of bucks.  The pdf is ready the same day.  If I want the hard copy, they hold it for the next shipment.  Otherwise,  I have them destroy it.

    @Pablo888 Do they deliver to Brazil? For me that was the game changer. I have only had reliable delivery from DHL.
Roddie in Retirement-@roddiesho

@roddiesho, good timing in asking the question.  I just canceled my USPS PO Box this morning and am applying to US Global Mail - a few minutes ago.  Here is the link to the product -> https://www.usglobalmail.com/pricing/.  I am taking the $14.95 per month personal account.  Please note that there is also a business account - but I don't anticipate to have enough volume to get the business.

Re:  shipping

As @abthree mentioned, there are several options for shipping.  If you follow the description of the plan, you will be offered discounts based on what shipping company you choose.  I would recommend following the instructions from @abthree here as I have not crossed that bridge yet.

What I have learnt from the application process:

1. You will need 2 pieces of ID when you apply... please make sure that you have your passport and driver license pictures and you will be fine.
2. You will also need to file a USPS Form 1583 - "Application for Delivery of Mail Through Agent" and this document will need to be witnessed / signed off by a notary.  You will need to have this form filled and signed by each one of the persons who are allowed to receive mail at the virtual mailbox.  The good news is that you can do that online for $15/person or if you have your own notary, you can submit that information too.

So far so good.... I am still at step 2 but am optimistic that this will be a great choice.

Let me know if you have any questions....

I use Ipostal1 for a couple of year and I have hit and misses on mail forwarding, I only use first class international, it's $6 for a letter to forward. some never arrived, some arrived in 6 days.

USPS, DHL, FedEx are just way too expensive for forwarding even for CC.

Just pay attention and always communicate to your banking trough their online messages center.

I don't do packages forwarding (it's too expensive) scan are ok, you pay for shred.

$99,00 yearly

FWIW if any Canadians are wondering about this......Canada Post forwards mail only within the country for 6 mo or 12 mo períods. It costs about $10 a month.

You can use any address you want without formalities, such as stand alone mailbox/mail forwarding companies, but they are expensive, averaging $50 a month plus additional courier or mail charges.

I just forward it to my sister who takes a pic and sends it to me by text.

10/08/24  You can use any address you want without formalities, such as stand alone mailbox/mail forwarding companies, but they are expensive, averaging $50 a month plus additional courier or mail charges.
I just forward it to my sister who takes a pic and sends it to me by text.
   
    -@Gasparzinho 777

CAD$50?!? -- that's highway robbery! 

The problem with relying on family beyond the short term is that they eventually insist on having lives of their own.  My brother was handling my mail, and then he became an expat himself.  Quite inconsiderate of him, but he's the baby and always was a little spoiled. 😂

Yeah, we're lucky, as the nominal amount of mail we actually receive had stopped coming to her house as everyone who really matters has our new info.

Canada is very digital now, almost everyone has forced you into using email.

@extrapas33 i Postal 1 does not mail to Brazil and I live in Brazil.  Nothing else matters. That makes it a DEALBREAKER!

Roddie in Retirement

@roddiesho Is it that they won't forward mail to Brazil, or there's a charge if you request that they forward something to Brazil?

@lalajaja Brazil is NOT a country that they forward mail to.

Roddie in Retirement🕵

@roddiesho That's too bad. I was hoping to use them because they have a location in South Dakota.

@lalajaja I only use them when I am in the USA near my Birth home at the Seekonk, MA location. I knew I would be there for less than a week and I needed to order lots of stuff from Amazon. Com to bring back to Brazil. I was afraid that the products would not arrive in time, so I ordered them to that location before I even got on the plane. I am here in Brazil with my 97-year-old Brazilian Mother and will not leave her side while she is with us. Since they don't deliver to Brazil I cancelled them until I return to R.I.

Roddie in Retirement🕵