Help a Euro-Hiker out: How do PO-boxes work?
Posted by Stagtastic@reddit | AskAnAmerican | View on Reddit | 136 comments
Can I rent a PO-box in the states, send a bunch of packages to it, and pick it up when I'm visiting that city?
I'm planning a long and technically challenging trip in the US, and would need a lot of supplies that are significantly cheaper to source from the US instead of here and than sourcing here and flying with them. (in the thousands).
Ideally I could build the pile of gear in one location (NYC) via online shopping, and just pick it up when I land.
Am I missing something? Is it that easy?
aardvarksauce@reddit
You could potentially just use General Delivery.
https://faq.usps.com/s/article/What-is-General-Delivery
stevepremo@reddit
That is the time-honored way to use the post office while traveling. You adress it to [your name], general delivery, [city], [state], [zip code]. I would call the local post office first to confirm.
Secure-Ad9780@reddit
That's the way it used to be. Today, which branch would you go to in a city? Will they hold it for you if you don't pick it up within 3 days? I wouldn't trust the USPS with thousands worth of pkgs.
It's easier to stay at an Airbnb somewhere and order what you need from Amazon.
cat_prophecy@reddit
Whatever branch is in that zip code. Zip codes don't frequently have multiple post offices that would accept general delivery.
BouncingSphinx@reddit
Each city might have multiple post offices, but each post office serves one ZIP code.
RsonW@reddit
Almost correct. A Post Office may serve multiple ZIP codes, but multiple Post Offices will not share any ZIP code. My town has two ZIP codes but only one Post Office, for example. In the case of a city having multiple Post Offices, you're correct that they'll have different ZIP codes.
So for general delivery to my town, it wouldn't matter if it were sent to 95945 or 95949 because it's the same Post Office. Someone sending general delivery to (say) Sacramento couldn't run into the situation where it goes to the writing Post Office because no Post Office shares a ZIP code.
BouncingSphinx@reddit
So I was thinking along the right lines, just a little backwards. I always thought that individual ZIP codes had their own post office. I’ve seen rural post offices that are about the size of a two car garage. Gail, TX, for example.
IJustWantToWorkOK@reddit
Battery Park, VA, the post office was a room in our house, rented from the same landlords as us. There wasn't access between the house and the PO.
They finally built a real one, thats downright tiny.
RsonW@reddit
That's huge compared to the Post Office in Goodyear Bar CA. It's a literal shack lol
BouncingSphinx@reddit
Can confirm, it is a literal shack 🤣
And it’s surprisingly close to Sacramento, just a little spot back in the mountains though.
Cerulean_IsFancyBlue@reddit
You got a whole shack? The Camp Connell CA post office was a window at the back of the general store. At least back in the 1970s.
cat_prophecy@reddit
That's not true. My old house and my current one have different zip codes but are serviced by the same post office.
BouncingSphinx@reddit
Really? Is it a newer split in a city or is it rural?
RsonW@reddit
Not who you're asking, but it's the same in my exurban town. One ZIP code for the town proper and one for the rural areas south of town. One Post Office for both.
RsonW@reddit
They never do.
One Post Office may serve multiple ZIP codes, but multiple Post Offices never serve one ZIP code.
Secure-Ad9780@reddit
And not all post offices have general delivery pick up.
devilbunny@reddit
I have never used general delivery, but I have used a lot of post offices, and all but the very smallest have their own ZIP code for their PO boxes to indicate that it’s for the post office itself, not the surrounding code.
aardvarksauce@reddit
People use general delivery safely all the time. Still. Daily.
Wasting money on an Airbnb to get packages is unnecessary.
OftTopic@reddit
Commonly used by hikers on the Appalachian Trial. As this takes months for thru hikers, they carry the absolute minimum and have supplies waiting at the next town.
hugemessanon@reddit
oh the op may find that useful to google
snow_big_deal@reddit
This is the way, have done this myself in the US. Worked like a charm.
stitchplacingmama@reddit
This is what I was trying to think of. I've seen through hikers use it so they can restock food and get fresh clothes or more weather appropriate clothing on a hike.
getElephantById@reddit
This is the correct answer!
OP, you'd basically be sending it to a U.S. post office wherever you're going, and they hold it for you until you get there.
It's polite to write something like "Please hold for Stagtastic, ETA [your estimated date]"
Temporary_Nail_6468@reddit
I was today years old when I learned this was a thing. And those years are getting awfully close to half a century……..
mzanon100@reddit
Came here for this. As long as OP's packages don't need to sit for long and as long as OP doesn't mind waiting in line and getting their package during window hours, OP has no need to pay for a PO box.
I (American) did poste restante in Lisbon once and it worked nicely.
Aggressive_Ad_5454@reddit
This is the way. It’s called “Poste restante” in parts of Europe.
You go to the post office, present identification, and ask for your parcel.
MasterMinnesotan@reddit
Friend or hotel is probably best. As mentioned you could have Amazon packages shipped to an Amazon locker. Also ups and fedex let you pick up packages from nearby stores, such as cvs. Combining this with in store order pick up might work.
OkProcess5800@reddit
PO boxes require a lot of identification and proof of address that you won't have.
You could get a private mailbox at something like a UPS store, or arrange for it to be shipped to an appropriately classy hotel that is willing to accept packages for you.
kinnikinnick321@reddit
They may also be unavailable/ in high demand. Where I live in California, I cannot find any available PO boxes to use within 50 miles of me.
TooManyDraculas@reddit
https://www.usps.com/manage/po-boxes.htm
That'd be rare. Almost every post office location has them available, and spot checking a few spots in California I didn't see any that didn't have some at the closest post office.
A PO Box is specifically what's offered by the Post Office. Wouldn't be odd for there to be few to no private mail box facilities in a given spot.
It's most common in Cities, cause package theft.
LiqdPT@reddit
Private mailboxes also require a bunch of ID (I don't remember the particulars) but are better for packages. I've had one for 18 years that 95% of my mail and packages go to.
TooManyDraculas@reddit
Require a bunch of ID but don't necessarily require proof of residence.
Which is the hold up on a PO box.
A lot of "mailbox stores" only allow delivery of packages, not mail, and may not require residence. At minimum they should be able to use something like Amazon locker.
PromiseThomas@reddit
I needed proof that I lived nearby—I think they asked for either a signed lease or car insurance that had my name and address on it, one or the other.
TooManyDraculas@reddit
Not all of them do. From what I understand there's a Federal form for anything that will be receiving mail. And I believe that needs proof of residency.
But shipping through private carriers doesn't need that. So you can set up to ship non-mail packages at some of them.
I'm not super clear on it, but a buddy of mine was looking to open one of those package deliver/mail box shops for a bit. Still need ID and what have. Just not neccisarily proof of residence.
smarterthanyoda@reddit
Private mailboxes are better for packages than PO Boxes, but most would not be happy about a large number of packages building up over time until he gets there.
There might be some that specialize in that kind of thing, but they’re likely expensive. That would take up a lot of floor space.
PromiseThomas@reddit
Yeah, I remember I tried to get a PO Box a few years ago, and since I was lucky enough to be living with my parents and having them pay my car insurance, I just simply didn’t have the paperwork to be able to prove to the post office that I lived nearby.
voltairesalias@reddit
Foreigners can rent American PO Boxes. I know a few people in Alberta who have PO Boxes they rent just across the border in Montana. Saves them on shipping costs for some items.
Random_Reddit99@reddit
Pretty sure you also have to rent the box in person so you couldn't do it in advance of your visit.
Concur that most premium hotels will allow you to mail something to them if you have a reservation with them.
Oat57@reddit
Send it general delivery with your name on it to the closest PO in the town/city you're visiting. We do this when flying; USPS is cheaper than airline baggage fees.
ATLien_3000@reddit
You don't need a PO Box; I don't think you'd be able to get one from abroad never showing face in the post office anyway.
General delivery would be an option maybe (Google it; common way for trail through hikers to resupply. Not sure if NYC post offices would do it).
Or alternatively just order for pickup at one or more stores or via Amazon lockers or similar.
It's VERY common these days for stores to take online orders on their websites to pickup in store; for instance if you're buying for a hiking trip, order pickup at REI - there's one in SoHo in NYC.
You might call ahead and just tell them what you're doing - you'd probably want to place orders a couple weeks out to be sure it all gets there, and you may need them to hold stuff a LITTLE longer than normal.
elunabee@reddit
I relied on General Delivery when I did my Appalachian Trail thru but that was over a decade ago. For a lot of gear potentially arriving at different times, I'd be nervous about it going to one office.
ATLien_3000@reddit
I'd be okay with it if it were going to some podunk post office where I could get the person on the phone that would actually be seeing the packages come in.
I wouldn't be okay with it anywhere in greater NYC (even if there's a post office somewhere in greater NYC that does General Delivery).
But yeah, I think there are better ways now largely - online order and in store pickup is something EVERYONE does now post-COVID. It was less common before that.
cguess@reddit
The REI in Soho is closing soon so it'll depend on OP's timeline (apparently management got mad at the unionization effort). Paragon Sports, a local NYC shop, will have pretty much anything you'd need though.
To be honest: OP doesn't need to order anything online, they will be able to find whatever they need at brick and mortar shops in the city if they go looking for it.
ATLien_3000@reddit
The only reason I didn't suggest that is time; if OP can sit in his PJ's in Europe and place orders, picking up everything he got and packing up as appropriate could be as quick as a half day endeavor.
Bouncing around greater NYC (even if he knows what he's after) is a couple days best case.
RsonW@reddit
Fun fact: 12345 is a ZIP code for Schenectady NY
elunabee@reddit
Are you doing a long-distance trail in the US like the PCT or AT? Try coordinating mail drops with hostels. Sometimes Post Offices along the trails will accomodate hikers because they're used to receiving mail like this, but for a lot of packages I would just use trail resources that can store your gear safely until you're ready to collect.
MyPenMyPen@reddit
Use Amazon lockers.
jmilred@reddit
That was my initial thought, but that would require OP to only use Amazon for items and a pretty tight pickup window for a technically complicated trip. They will typically only hold items for 3 days which makes logistics difficult.
Elegant_Bluebird_460@reddit
You can actually send thing for hold at a post office without a PO box.
That said, you need to be aware of import fees on goods you send. It may actually end up being cheaper to bring these items on your flight.
mizzoug15@reddit
You need to make sure that wherever you are ordering from will ship to whatever you decide. For example, Amazon won't ship to my parent's post office box.
No-Double679@reddit
If you're doing the PCT or Appalachian trail, there are forums that will tell you how to set up deliveries to specific way points. A lot of hiker friendly businesses along the trails.
-LibertyBelle-@reddit
Great question. It’s magic.
In all honesty, it’s basically a private mailbox that you pay for.
bryku@reddit
Not related to the poster, but...
Has anyone ever noticed the unnaturally high rate of German tourists who get lost in US national parks? Every year there is a huge story about sending search and rescue to find someone and 9/10 times it is a German guy.
Just a notice for those hiking in National Parks, please be safe and take precautions.
ATLDeepCreeker@reddit
You could also have Amazon packages delivered to an Amazon pick up box or delivered to any hotels you are staying.
Murdy2020@reddit
The Amazon pickup boxes will only hold them there for a few days.
ATLDeepCreeker@reddit
Yes..... This will require you to order 1 to 2 days prior to arriving in an area.
Do you think you could manage to do do that?
1980Phils@reddit
Good thinking.
blipsman@reddit
May be hard because PO boxes cannot accept Amazon deliveries, UPS, FedEx, etc. But you might able to find a shipping business who will be willing to accept packages (like a UPS store or FedExOffice), or even if you have a hotel you're staying at to begin your trip you might be able to send there.
uninspiredclaptrap@reddit
You can have stuff sent to you at a hotel, but I would check in before it arrives
RotationSurgeon@reddit
You’ll want to look into “general delivery,” not a PO Box. Call the US postal office in the area you want to re-supply at and ask if they offer the service. If it’s along one of the major trails, they likely do. Or better yet, contact the offices of the closest Postmaster General and they can tell you ALL locations and requirements for the area you’ll be through-hiking.
https://about.usps.com/who/profile/history/postmaster-finder/postmasters-by-city.htm
Fun-Dragonfly-4166@reddit
I thought about this very issue. I think PO Boxes would not work for you b/c the USPS is a total pain. However you are planning to reserve at least one night in a hotel. You can get the stuff sent to you at that hotel. I think that would work much better (and also cheaper) but mainly better.
Murderhornet212@reddit
Nope
MennionSaysSo@reddit
I would check out Appalachian Trail or PCH forums. I friend who hikes says you can mail items point to point on the trail ahead of you. It's fairly common im told
PreviousGolf9541@reddit
Good call. OP has hiker in his question. Assuming these are backpacking supplies for a long trip on one of the major trails, Appalachian, Pacific Crest, or Continental Divide, there are people/businesses at the re-supply points who do exactly this. Check out forums for those trails to find these services. I grew up near the Continental Divide and knew people who helped through hikers with their re-supplies in very rural areas.
RsonW@reddit
PCT
MennionSaysSo@reddit
Thanks....you can't tell i dont hike just have friends. But hearing his stories its a close knit fun community
jastwood1@reddit
I was using a ipostal1 mailbox for a little bit and it worked out great. I could send my Amazon packages there. They would be able to accept packages from all carriers and normal mail. I used their basic plan and it was $10 a month but they also charge a 1 time $25 fee for notarizing a fourm from USPS to allow them to accept mail on your behalf (didn't see that on their website until I signed up).
brewbeery@reddit
Just ship it to the Post Office as normal. They will hold the package and this is how most hikers resupply along the popular long distance trails.
The bigger issue is that shipping with USPS has gotten extremely expensive just this past year due to Federal requirements.
If you're doing the Appalachian Trail, there's enough trail towns to get resupplied while hiking every few days.
If you're doing the Continental Divide Trail, you'll have much much longer food carries though so might want to send a few boxes despite the cost.
int3gr4te@reddit
Just keep in mind only USPS delivers to PO boxes, so may need to have a backup plan if you buy from anywhere that ships with UPS or Fedex.
whorfhorse@reddit
ups/fedex/dhl/whoever will deliver to a po box if you put the street address of the post office + the box number. source: have a p.o. box and regularly get packages delivered from non-usps carriers
Oenonaut@reddit
Ooh, good tip. Never knew that.
jonesnori@reddit
True. That is another reason the UPS Store might be a better option.
Stagtastic@reddit (OP)
Wow, this blew up bigger than I had anticipated. And for a good reason, the advice was well needed.
My most sincere thanks to you all. I'll think of you while watching the sun set over Yellowstone and Yosemite.
All the best!
RsonW@reddit
You can have it shipped to the address "GENERAL DELIVERY" and pick it up at the post office.
That's what though hikers do on the Pacific Crest Trail.
Rundiggity@reddit
Send it to general delivery.
GENERAL DELIVERY
YOUR NAME
ADDRESS OF POST OFFICE
ImCharlemagne@reddit
I'm a little north of nyc if you are unable to find a place to store your stuff pm me, I could store the stuff for you.
MsPooka@reddit
I would look at alternatives. For Amazon you can get things shipped to a locker/pick up box. If you're wanting hiking supplies or things like that, REI or similar stores will allow you to get the items shipped to the store and pick them.
No-Set-4246@reddit
You could probably ship stuff to yourself at your hotel.
MsPooka@reddit
This is a good idea. I would call and ask if you can have packages sent to you in advance.
BelethorsGeneralShit@reddit
A much easier option would be to use a business that accept packages for you and hold them till you pick them up. There are lots of these. Go to Google Maps for the area you're interested in and search for "shipping services". I've used these for camping trips before. Last time it was like $4 per package.
MakeStupidHurtAgain@reddit
You might also want to look into hiker forums. If you’re staging things in NYC for a long and technically challenging trip, I assume you’re hiking the Appalachian Trail. I have zero experience with the AT.
But out here on the Pacific Crest Trail, there are camps through the hike where you can send yourself supplies and they’ll hold them for a small fee or donation. One example is Vermilion Valley Resort. You ship things to their address in Fresno, and once a week or so someone drives the two hours down the mountain to Fresno and fetches all the stuff, then it’s held at the camp.
I imagine similar things might be possible on the AT, so hiker forums are your best bet there.
LetterheadClassic306@reddit
po boxes won't work for packages from ups or fedex - only usps. what you want is a private mailbox at a ups store. they accept anything and hold it for you. i did this before a backpacking trip and it worked great. for gear look at osprey backpacks or msr camping stoves. just call the store first to confirm pickup rules. some charge by the week so budget for that.
Just_Another_Day_926@reddit
I have ordered packages and had them delivered to my hotel prior to arriving. I contact the hotel in advance to make sure they will accept and hold the packages. I then plan the order so the item(s) arrive a few days before I arrive (to account for delays).
Hydrosleuth@reddit
General Delivery is another option. You can send yourself a package to any post office with the address “General Delivery” and it should be waiting for you. (Your name, General Delivery, Anytown, (State), USA, Zip Code) the main caveat here is that General Delivery isn’t common these days and seems to confuse many post office workers.
Dizzy_Dust_7510@reddit
Maybe try finding a group of trail angels near where you're going that are willing to accept a package.
devilbunny@reddit
I have not done this, and there are many very good suggestions in here, but I would contact a wilderness/hiking company in the area you plan to start in, or ask on subreddits for that trail, about places that offer these services. The UPS Store is not actually legally a part of UPS the delivery service, and the USPS (US Postal Service) has nothing to do with either one. In this case, a local operator is usually best. I ship things to hotels, but they are not going to hold twenty packages for you when you aren’t even there yet. Amazon lockers hve tight windows. A dedicated hiker shop will charge you a predictable fee to receive and store. It will not be the cheapest option, but when you land, you can text them and say “I’ll be there tomorrow afternoon” and they will have pulled ALL your boxes. Grab and go.
MWSin@reddit
If you're going to be staying at a hotel, you might be able to arrange for them to accept a small package and hold it for a few days before your arrival. If your trip is business related, the company you're working with may be willing to accept a package for you as well. Just A) don't ask them to take packages that would be inconveniently large or hold them for unreasonable durations, and B) contact them before setting it up to make sure this arrangement is acceptable.
BookLuvr7@reddit
You'd probably have better luck using a service like UPS or FedEx with a Hold at Location option. Not all centers have them, but many do.
Then you could go both track your package via the tracking number online and pick it up from that city once it arrived. If you changed your plans, you could even contact them to have it rerouted elsewhere. You'd have to pay shipping of course.
Clydelaz@reddit
Where are these packages coming from? Could they come from Amazon? They have lock boxes in Whole Foods, truck stops and other places all over the country. You don’t have to tie yourself to one location you can get stuff delivered to anywhere and change location anytime you want. Sorry if this is off base but I’m having trouble figuring out what you are trying to accomplish here.
Aspy17@reddit
If you can wait to order until you arrive in the USA your best option might be to order from Amazon and use what they call a drop box or other pickup location. I've picked up from a drug store when I needed to order something while traveling. Definitely look up what you're planning to order and make sure it can be delivered to a PO Box or drop box first. Not all items can be, they require a physical address for delivery.
notthegoatseguy@reddit
Use FedEx. You can send your luggage via their retail locations and pick it up in the next city
Cinisajoy2@reddit
For those saying PO Boxes are small, they put a note in your box to come in and pick up your package. Or in the case of you get too much mail to fit in your box, you get a note to come pick up your mail. Then they ask you to please return the sort box.
peter303_@reddit
Even better. US post offices have an address called "General Delivery". You mail to yourself General Delivery and pick up within 30 days, or they return the package. I know some long distance hikers that mail themselves food and other periodic supplies to locations 4-7 days apart. (Actually he constructed the packages and his mom did the timed mailings.
kmoonster@reddit
Amazon will ship to/from most Whole Foods stores (a grocery chain). Whole Foods only has about 500 ish locations nationwide, but for towns or cities that have one AND are on your route you can check if this is an option.
They won't hold packages indefinitely but if you will be able to give 2 - 3 days notice to the shipper, this should work.
kmoonster@reddit
You may be able to use what's called "General Delivery".
This will get you started, though it may not answer every question: What is General Delivery?
If you are planning a long trail-hike or similar, there are sometimes "stops" along the way that can hold materials or packages for you, such as a specific hotel or cafe in a trail-adjacent town that is popular with long-distance hikers. That is a little more nuanced than this sub may be able to answer in detail, but there are other subreddits that can point you in the right direction if that's the genre your planning. Which trail/region would determine which sub.
itsjustmo_@reddit
I agree with the comment that general delivery is a great solution. But I'll also say that this is exactly the sort of thing a trail angel lives for. If you're not already on subreddits for your specific hike, you should do that next.
chinchaaa@reddit
Look into Amazon lockers and just time it right.
mpjjpm@reddit
UPS and FedEx have storefronts throughout the country and will accept packages on your behalf. They charge a nominal fee per day, so you need to roughly time the deliveries with your arrival. I can’t remember the exact format for addressing things, but I’m sure you can find it on their respective websites.
quothe_the_maven@reddit
Assuming this the Appalachian Trail or PCT or something similar, this is common but not by using PO Boxes. You should join one of those subs and ask where you can ship things.
imustbbored@reddit
Im not seeing this elsewhere but im not sure there will be a box big enough to hold everything you want to send until you get here or that USPS will accept delivery of a very large quantity of goods to hold for a decent amount of time. Whether you can do it at all seems addressed but the seeming large quantities of goods to be held for a while is giving me pause.
Unusual-Material9443@reddit
if you are ordering from amazon you can have it shipped to one of their pickup boxes. they have them all over the place, but since amazon is so quick, you could have it sent to your hotel or wherever you are staying. it only takes a day or 2. but getting a po box is not something you can do internationally. you need to show id and stuff to get a po box. maybe if you have a friend you could have things sent to their house.
Rhuarc33@reddit
Look up virtual mailboxes. You may have to fill out forms and pay a monthly fee, and that fee can increase for the most coins locations due to demand and limited space. But it can absolutely be done by noon US citizens living outside the US
If you get a PO box ONLY USPS can deliver to it. Amazon, FedEx, UPS cannot deliver to a PO box.
Complex-Value-4722@reddit
You may be able to use general delivery but you would need to contact the particular post office(s) you're trying to use to see if they accept general delivery packages and if your passport is good enough ID for them. Instead of getting placed in a rented P.O. box that you have a key for, the post office holds your mail for 30 days and you go to the desk to pick it up.
https://faq.usps.com/s/article/What-is-General-Delivery
bloopblop3002@reddit
Simplify what you’re asking. Reading that feels like I had a stroke
gnirpss@reddit
They want to know if they can rent a PO box as a foreign tourist and have packages sent to it before their arrival.
bloopblop3002@reddit
Welp, I have no idea. Seems like an easy way to, well, uh….. do things they shouldn’t
bloopblop3002@reddit
You’re asking if you can get a PO Box in New York City where you pick stuff up once you land?
macrocosm93@reddit
If you go through FedEx or UPS, you can have them ship it to a FedEx store or UPS facility and then pick it up there. I do this any time I have a package that needs a signature and I know I probably won't be home.
hyst808@reddit
Contact a private mail store and arrange to have packages delivered and held there. They usually charge a fee per package. Otherwise, you can send ups or FedEx packages to their respective stores but check how long they'll hold them for you for pickup.
PilotDragon214@reddit
Probably not a PO box, since that's like the postal system. Idk though. You could probably rent a PMB - Private Mail Box, kinda the same thing, but way easier to get in my experience.
SilverStory6503@reddit
You can have mail delivered to any post office to your name c/o General Delivery. They will hold it for you to pick up. I did this when I was traveling around the USA.
SilverStory6503@reddit
https://faq.usps.com/s/article/What-is-General-Delivery
SilverStory6503@reddit
I think there is a 30 day limit that they will hold it.
therealpursuit@reddit
hire someone from one of the apps that sets up gig work jobs. it will be much cheaper and easier.
TexAzCowboy@reddit
USPS.com. You can rent/renew a box online.
atamicbomb@reddit
PO Boxes are very small. The most common size is just big enough for letters.
They also tend to be regulated because shell companies like to use them
jeff1074@reddit
PO boxes are, interestingly, strictly for United States residents.
guywithshades85@reddit
Get a mailbox at a UPS store and have all your packages shipped to it. They can hold packages there. If you can time your deliveries to within a week of picking them up, you won't necessarily need a mailbox, but it's good to have one anyways just in case.
I fly a lot and I always ship my luggage to myself instead of checking it on the plane. I have mailboxes in the two cities I fly to the most.
MaroonTrojan@reddit
Amazon locker?
Peakbrowndog@reddit
Not a PO box, but you could get a mailing address. Typically you have to appear in person for a PO Box.
There are lots of businesses that offer mail delivery and hold. If you time the shipping, you can probably ship it all to your hotel and they will hold it, best done with a nicer/business oriented hotel, not a cheap motel. I've shipped gear to hotels many times. I've also just called where I was going, asked if there's someone that works there that will accept my packages for a tip and there's usually someone that will. I usually get them to shop it back too.
You can also do general delivery and pick it up at the post office. Folks who hike the Appalachian Trail or other long hikes do this, sending a box up the trail it having packages sent to posts offices about when they should arrive.
Another good option is a co-working space, it's usually not expensive for a month or two and there's usually someone there to accept packages.
If you're using a guide or something like that, they will probably do it for you.
But just ship it to your final destination, not to where you are landing. No point in hauling it around.
cmh_ender@reddit
are the packages large? can you order them all at once so your pickup timing is a small window?
weirdoldhobo1978@reddit
What you're looking for is a private mail box, not a PO Box.
You can get one at most any UPS store.
raisetheavanc@reddit
No, you need ID to rent a PO Box. If you can time it right, I’d just order to an Amazon locker near where you’re staying.
Sad_Construction_668@reddit
The answer is yes, probably more suited to a UPS store private mailbox than a PO box, which can have size limits. If youre doing a fairly popular through hike (AppalachianTrail, PCT, CDT). theres a number of organizations and businesses that specialize in hiker support simply because of their proximity to the trail.
potterinatardis@reddit
Might honestly be quicker and easier to have said things delivered to you, where you are staying here in NYC, rather than having it all shipped somewhere.
SourceOfConfusion@reddit
Describe your trip. I’m doing the Appalachian Trail. You can get packages shipped to post offices via general delivery.
RickySlayer9@reddit
I’m unsure of the rules for renting a P.O. Box without a residence in the US. It might depend on the city or states rules.
Typically a PO Box is intended to be a long term solution, usually rented in 1 year increments.
It’s for people who can’t get mail directly to their house, usually do to limitations of access (needing a 4wd vehicle to get to your house) or want to preserve anonymity when shopping online, and therefor use a PO Box instead of a home address. It can also be more secure. Mailboxes in the US aren’t usually behind lock and key.
It’s a physical box in the post office. (PO box just means post office box).
I’m not sure how the application process works in other states, but in mine, I had to include my address, and then got a physical key. It’s really not a great long term option
JimDemintRecession@reddit
Yeah pretty much. It may be better to get a personal mailbox at a UPS store. Only the postal service can deliver to PO Boxes. The postal service, Amazon, FedEx, UPS and all carriers can deliver to a personal mailbox at an ups store.
Realist-Socialist@reddit
It would be easiest to get ,your stuff delivered to a friend's address where you can pick it up. If you have no contacts in the US, you can get Amazon etc to deliver to a hotel address (but then you obviously have to stay there a while waiting for everything to arrive).
You can also send stuff to a post office. In that case, you have to write "General Delivery to (insert name)" on the package. Travelers, such as through hikers, use that trick a lot.
markuus99@reddit
The UPS Store also offers a similar "mailbox" service. They can receive packages and hold them for you until you pick them up. I know some Canadians maintain a box at UPS Stores in the US and cross the border occasionally to pick up packages for things that aren't available or are more expensive in Canada.
jeremiah1142@reddit
Yes, you can do this. Search accounts of hiking long trails like pacific crest or Appalachian.
pizzaanarchy@reddit
Real po box, no. Commercial one, sure
TallDudeInSC@reddit
Yes you can rent a PO Box at a post office in the US. Provide your ID and pay the yearly fee and it's yours.
That being said, this is ONLY good for packages delivered by the US postal service. UPS and FedEx will not deliver to a PO Box.
If you plan on getting things from more/all shipping companies, a service like Mailboxes Etcetera (if they are still in business) will simplify things. It will be like a PO box but with a private company.
ritchie70@reddit
Your challenge might be remotely renting it. I’m not sure that’s commonly possible or if you need to be there in person.
You can both rent boxes at the post office and at businesses like the UPS Store. They all will have different rules.
-thegay-@reddit
This should work. If you are not able to use the Post Office for whatever reason, you can get a mailbox inside a UPS Store, which works the same way. They receive mail and packages from all main carriers.
DharmaCub@reddit
That sounds right yeah