Latest Update On Mail Forwarding Services In The Usa?

[sante]

My arrival date to Chiang Mai is approaching but now I'm still taking care of relocation chores here in California. One important to-do chore is establishing a USA address, preferably in a state without income taxes.

I've done a thorough search here on TV and have come up with several companies--USGlobal Mail, USA2Me and Mail Link Plus but some of the information is several years old. Any current feedback on these companies or maybe others that are reliable?

Although I'm somewhat apprehensive about using these companies--seems identity theft is possible especially with renewed credit cards sent there--I don't want to burden family or friends with my mail transfer.

Thanks for any up-to-date information.

[mojaco]

I've used several different fowarders in the USA during the 17 years I've lived in Thailand. Currently using PostalAnnex. The only problem I've ever had is that a local fowarder sometimes goes out of business without prenotification. Then it is a mad scramble to try to get another fowarder set up since I'm in Thailand.

My best advice is that you try to choose one that has been in business a few years, looks prosperous, and likely to stay in business for years to come. You don't have to worry about identity theft or missing mail from that kind of forwarder, but he/she probably won't be the cheapest.

[NancyL]

We've used USABox, Florida-based, for three years. You're smart to set this up before you leave the U.S. to have a trial run. I seem to remember we had to go to our local post office for some sort of signature from them, too, to verify our identity. My memory is foggy on this, but there were some hoops we had to jump thru to set it up due to government regulations after 9/11.

The service is way better than imposing on a friend or relative. They scan the front of the envelope/magazine whenever we receive an item and email that scan to us. We can direct them to toss or hold it. We signed up for the plan with once-a-month shipment of up to 5 lb with extra shipment or heavier packages at an extra charge that isn't higher than what you'd normally pay DHL or FedEx. The only problem we've had is when a package was damaged in shipment and the contents apparently scattered at the DHL facility in Hong Kong. A couple important items were missing and we cancelled a credit card as a result, only to have the missing items delivered to us from Hong Kong about a week later.

Since then, we always attach a special shipping request for USABox to wrap rubber bands around the bundle before they put it in the DHL envelope.

Incidentally, the OP may want to check with other California expats to see what's involved in claiming you're no longer a CA resident. I know one California couple who actually went to Florida, registered to vote, got drivers licenses, library cards, etc, before they moved the Chiang Mai so they could have something more than a mail forwarding service address to prove they were no longer California residents.

[OriginalPoster]

We've used USABox, Florida-based, for three years. You're smart to set this up before you leave the U.S. to have a trial run. I seem to remember we had to go to our local post office for some sort of signature from them, too, to verify our identity. My memory is foggy on this, but there were some hoops we had to jump thru to set it up due to government regulations after 9/11.

The service is way better than imposing on a friend or relative. They scan the front of the envelope/magazine whenever we receive an item and email that scan to us. We can direct them to toss or hold it. We signed up for the plan with once-a-month shipment of up to 5 lb with extra shipment or heavier packages at an extra charge that isn't higher than what you'd normally pay DHL or FedEx. The only problem we've had is when a package was damaged in shipment and the contents apparently scattered at the DHL facility in Hong Kong. A couple important items were missing and we cancelled a credit card as a result, only to have the missing items delivered to us from Hong Kong about a week later.

Since then, we always attach a special shipping request for USABox to wrap rubber bands around the bundle before they put it in the DHL envelope.

Incidentally, the OP may want to check with other California expats to see what's involved in claiming you're no longer a CA resident. I know one California couple who actually went to Florida, registered to vote, got drivers licenses, library cards, etc, before they moved the Chiang Mai so they could have something more than a mail forwarding service address to prove they were no longer California residents.

I use USABoxes too. I'm very satisfied with their service. About $20 per month to send over up to 4 pounds of stuff and it take about 10 days to 14 days for each package to get to Chiang Mai. Their scanning service is a bit expensive but is very prompt, for time critical things it can be worth it.

[SurfRider]

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I've been using USA2Me for over a year and their service is excellent. A friend in Bangkok, who recommended them, has been using it for a few years.

Basic forwarding service is $20/month and you can manage your mail and forwarding on their website. They send you an eMail with a photo of the mail as soon as they receive it.

Normally my mail arrives in 7 to 10 days via USPS Priority Mail, which is included in the monthly charge. They have many other services, but I haven't needed any.

The only problem I had so far, wasn't their fault -- one packet took 12 weeks to arrive -- obviously delayed somewhere in the Thai mail system.

They're in Houston Texas, which is a State that has no State income tax, so if you file on-line, they automatically skip State tax filing based on your Texas address.

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