7 Best Virtual Mailboxes for Expats and Travelers

For a business model that’s crucial to digital nomads, there aren’t many good options available. I spent days (almost a month) researching and testing different options to see whether any virtual mailbox providers are worthy.

And I found a few. I’ll explain what use case each is best for and why.

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Important: Don’t Use These Addresses for Bank Accounts

Almost every virtual mailbox on this list will have a Residential Delivery Indicator (RDI) that’s labeled as commercial. That’s acceptable for creating and managing business bank accounts, but not for personal savings or checking accounts.

Banks will likely flag these addresses and liquidate your money if you try to use a RDI labeled as “Commercial” for bank accounts. And if you try to create a bank account with such an account, the bank will think it’s suspicious.

Part of the reason for this is to counter money laundering. It’s supposedly federal law to use residential addresses, though I couldn’t find the specific law.

If you need an international bank account, speak to Charles Schwab about their international accounts for expats. I use their bank and it’s honestly one of the better choices I’ve made in my life.

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I Recommend These Virtual Mail Services for Digital Nomads

Here are the best digital mailbox services compared:

	PhysicalAddress	Virtual Post Mail	iPostal 1
Best For	Overall	Businesses	Receiving Mail
BBB Rating	A	NA	A+
Trustpilot Rating	4.8	2	4.3
HIPAA-Compliant	No	Yes	No

Virtual mailbox providers compared.

I’d take the BBB ratings for these services with a grain of salt. An investigation by ABC News alleges that the BBB gave businesses higher ratings because they paid for memberships [1]. However, I want to include it for you to know.

This article was a nightmare to research because I was extremely picky about whom I selected and why. I researched a bunch of other candidates, but I can’t wholeheartedly recommend them.

I included those much deeper into the guide.

The following sections will dive into each service’s wins, losses, and other information.

Let’s get this living hell over with.

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1. PhysicalAddress: Best Overall

Pros:

• Great pricing
• Free unlimited shredding
• Decent number of free mail content scans monthly
• Uses an app

Cons:

• Not a Residential RDI
• No check deposit services

I’m going to be honest, almost all virtual mailbox providers are the same. Most of them have a commercial RDI, which doesn’t make them stand out. Some are HIPAA-compliant, which PhysicalAddress is not. However, this particular provider gives you the best value.

Here are all the features you’ll get which makes them great:

Unlimited digital storage	Android & iOS app	Registered agent	Evernote integration
Free shredding	CCTV at their facilities	Not a CRMA	Free local pickup
International shipping	Non-parcel Storage 3mo

They offer 8 different addresses that range from $7.98/mo (Boise, Idaho) to $29.98 a month (Wall Street, New York). The lowest price point also makes them the cheapest option. All of these include the same features. I’d go with the one that has the lowest sales tax at the time.

Or you could pay for whatever address you’re near if you’re digital nomad(ing) (DNing) in the US. Because the mail pickup is free and handy if you’re nearby.

Here are their pricing plans:

Screenshot from PhysicalAddress.com

Most folks will do well with Plan 30. So long as you’ve digitized most of your mail. The price per additional scan isn’t too bad, either. Compared to some providers I’ve seen, which were charging $0.50 PER SCAN.

The “Suite number ending in a ‘0’” feature seems more like a gimmick. I’d take the pricier plans only if you want the additional mail and envelope scans.

Their ratings on Trustpilot were excellent. Are they fake? Who knows. I couldn’t find any when I investigated reviewers’ profiles for “off” patterns.

An app for Android and iOS is perfect for digital nomads who spend most of their time on mobile devices. It’s not the prettiest app I’ve seen, but it’s functional.

Screenshot from PhysicalAddress.com

The biggest bummer was that they don’t offer check deposits, which isn’t relevant for most folks nowadays. However, it’s practical in rare scenarios. If you receive a check, have them forward it to your current address and deposit it via scanning it in an app.

It’s kind of nice that they don’t offer this service because it would probably give them an excuse to raise their prices.

Try VirtualPost Mail

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2. Virtual Post Mail: Best for Businesses

Pros:

• The only provider I found with a Residential RDI
• TruLease is fantastic for businesses
• Free check deposits
• Perfect for registering a business

Cons:

• Supposedly “bad” customer support
• Customer service doesn’t have much availability
• Not ideal for non-business folks

Virtual Post Mail (VPM) is the best virtual mailbox provider for digital nomads wanting to establish an LLC in the US. I don’t recommend it as much for regular people, though. Unless you already have residency in Nevada.

They have regular business addresses in Keller, TX; Henderson, NV; Claymont, DE; Covina, CA; and Brandon, FL. I wouldn’t use any of these addresses if you’re not a business and just need to receive mail.

TruLease is amazing.

Their TruLease is what makes them shine. You sign a lease agreement and get a utility bill, which will help you open a business bank account. This way, you avoid breaking any laws. However, TruLease is $200 a month and requires a contract.

Since you’re, you know, on a lease.

VPM has TruLease addresses in Delaware, Florida, and California.

These addresses have some downsides… You can use them for Amazon store accounts, business bank accounts, and receiving mail, but they’re not HIPAA-compliant. VPM also says the following are supported, but not recommended with these addresses:

• Package receiving
• Credit cards
• State tax and IRS filings
• Bills and invoices
• Contact information on websites
• Business cards

With that in mind, I wouldn’t try to use other virtual addresses for any of the above.

It’s the only provider with HIPAA BAA.

Their higher-end plans, Business and Premium, are HIPAA BAA, which means they are actually HIPAA compliant. The other plans have “HIPAA Compliance,” but that’s not meant to deal with other people’s documents.

Which business plan should you choose?

All plans (except Starter) come with unlimited envelope scans. Business includes 100 free mail content scans and Premium includes 50 additional scans. That, and the latter gives you an additional 10 recipients (20 total).

Other features that every plan includes for free are:

Registered agent	Check deposit services	* SOC Type II Certified	1 business address
In-person site verification	Phone verification for addresses	Free extra envelope scans (except Starter)	Unlimited digital storage
200 DPI color scans	API integration	Not a CRMA

* Verifies that a business’s security controls are designed and operating effectively over time to protect customer data.

Here’s their pricing and additional fees:

They don’t have a million different pricing schemes based on the address chosen, which is something I like.

However, there are additional add-ons (with fees, of course) for TruLease or TruResidence. For instance, adding a utility bill to Tru Lease costs $300 and $50 per month per additional tenant.

Do you need a domicile state or something to use to manage a bank account?

If you intend on being a digital nomad for a long time, or want to become an expat, you’ll need to think about residency and domicile states. I DON’T recommend Nevada as a domicile state.

It’s pretty much impossible.

It’s pretty much impossible. According to a Nevada law Firm, you must intend to make Nevada your permanent home and live there for at least six months to get residency [2].

I’d imagine that most digital nomads and/or expats don’t want to do that. However, the fact that it’s the ONLY virtual mailbox provider on this list with a Residential RDI makes it “usable” to open a bank account.

When banks look at the Residential Delivery Indicator (RDI) and see “Commercial,” which is what most virtual mailboxes have, they’ll grow suspicious. Thus, they may decline your account.

If you try to use a Commercial RDI on your existing account, the bank may catch on and liquidate it. US federal laws require you to use a residential address to create a virtual mailbox.

The biggest downside that I found for VPM was the complaints about their service.

I received pretty quick service within a day or 2. But many others said the staff was unresponsive—the latest complaint was in January 2024.

A perfect transition to talking about their customer support. They’re available Monday through Friday 9 AM to 5 PM PST via email and calls. They don’t have international support, which is bad for digital nomads.

However, they’re the best provider you’ll find to do everything as a business (legally).

Try VirtualPost Mail

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3. iPostal 1: Best for Just Receiving Mail

Pros:

• Many international addresses
• Not labeled as a CRMA
• Offers check deposit services (paid)

Cons:

• A number of add-ons (but they’re transparent)

iPostal 1 is a fantastic option for digital nomads abroad who want discounted mail forwarding (with consolidation), check deposit services, scheduled pickups, and free shredding.

For instance, this would have been extremely useful when I was a digital nomad in Taiwan (now I’m an expat). I could have forwarded my mail to their Taiwan address and picked up my mail there.

Other than what I mentioned, they have an app for iOS and Android, which is great if you primarily use your phone abroad. And they’ll deal with preparation of commercial invoices, which has always been a nightmare for me.

And here’s what you’ve been waiting for, the hidden fees and add-ons:

Are they good for business use?

I’d describe iPostal 1 as the virtual mailbox that balances SOME strengths and weaknesses of VPM and PhysicalAddress. They don’t offer leases, which makes them unusable for creating business bank accounts with some banks.

However, you’ll get a business address that’s much cheaper than VPM if you just need a registered agent and to deal with business mail remotely.

And they offer “Live Call Answering.” iPostal 1 will have agents that know stuff about your company and deal with callers on your behalf.

Their customer service is “OK.”

They’re available over phone and live chat Monday-Friday 9 AM – 8 PM ET, which isn’t optimal for most digital nomads (who are abroad). However, no virtual address provider I’ve researched has “ideal” customer service availability.

Try iPostal 1

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How I Choose the Best Virtual Mailbox for Digital Nomads

Here’s what to consider when searching for a virtual mailbox as a digital nomad:

Factor	Explanation
Purpose	Determines features you’ll need and costs
Avoid California-Based Addresses	Not ideal for freelancers, taxes, and online purchases.
Domicile State	Where you want your residency.
Fees	How much you’ll pay.
Customer Support	Can they help you when you’re awake?
Security	How safe your mail is.
Features	What do you need from a virtual mailbox?
CMRA?	Determines whether you can use it with banks.

I’ll discuss all of these points further throughout the following sections.

I highly suggest reading these because buying a virtual mailbox (as a digital nomad) is nuanced. Avoiding this information could result in headache and additional costs.

However, I learned something important when researching this guide.

The “ideal” virtual mailbox doesn’t exist. For instance, an “ideal” mailbox (for me) would be:

• An address in South Dakota
• Isn’t a CMRA
• Has a Residential RDI
• Free shredding
• Check deposits
• Won’t lose my mail
• That’ll help with adding a domicile state
• HIPAA-certified
• Secured mailing facilities
• Offers something similar to TruLease

I’m hard to please. But I’m an expat (and was a digital nomad) who wants specific features. And no one in the market currently offers them.

If such a service exists, let me know and I’ll investigate them. Otherwise, you probably have no idea of what the above paragraph means. Keep reading to learn more.

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1. What Will You Use it For?

Since you’re a digital nomad reading this post, you’ll likely need an address to receive mail while abroad. The amount of mail you typically receive will determine which provider you should go with.

For instance, I seldom receive mail. Thus, I’d want the lowest-tier provider regarding the number of mailing items I receive monthly. This also plays into how many in-envelope scans you want the provider to do.

If that’s not clear, think about receiving a credit card offer. If you’re like me, you’ll likely just want to throw it away. Because why waste a scan?

Most providers will charge you for scans and mail shredding per item. If you receive a lot of important mail, opt for providers with free shredding and a lot of mail scans.

You might also want to use this address for residency. That deserves its own section because it’s a complex topic.

Some use-cases will require particular features. Let’s check those out.

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Depositing checks

Required feature:

• Check deposit

If you receive any checks, only select services that offer check depositing.

This isn’t essential nowadays considering most banks allow you to deposit checks via an app. If your bank offers this feature, don’t let whether a virtual mailbox offers check depositing hold you back from a good provider.

Instead, forward your checks from your virtual mailbox to whatever country you’re in.

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Do you know if you frequently receive junk mail?

If so, find a virtual mailbox that DOESN’T count junk mail toward the monthly mailing items they’ll take pictures of. Some companies may purposely not include this to try and suck more money out of you.

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Will you sign up for a bank account at this address?

• Takeaway: CANNOT be labeled as a CMRA

Many banks, credit unions, and other financial organizations refuse to allow addresses that USPS flags as a Commercial Mail Receiving Agencies (CMRAs). Since many people will get these addresses for nefarious purposes (including scamming).

If you’re a non-resident and a traveler, it’s essential that you get an address that’s NOT CMRA-flagged. I’ll talk about this more toward the end of the buyer’s guide.

I highly recommend logging into stock exchanges and bank accounts with VPNs if you’re using a virtual address. Unless you could set up a travel notification. Otherwise, they may flag your account as unauthorized access.

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Setting up a business

Required and ideal features:

• Registered agent services: Someone to receive legal and official documents on your behalf.
• Business address: Address in an office building
• Check depositing: The ability to deposit checks remotely.
• Mail shredding: Securely destroying unwanted mail.
• Package forwarding: Sending packages to another address.
• CANNOT be labeled as a CRMA
• Integration with apps or API: Great for integrating with software like Google Drive and Dropbox.
• A lease agreement.

Yes, you can use virtual mailboxes to set up a business. However, you’ll need to select a provider that also serves as a registered agent. Because your address must be able to receive legal and tax documents on your behalf.

At the time of writing, a lot of virtual mailboxes aren’t HIPAA-compliant. If your business receives information via snail mail about customers’ health, DO NOT use virtual mailboxes.

If you’re creating a business bank account using a virtual mailbox, ensure USPS doesn’t label it as a CRMA. Otherwise, the bank will likely reject your account.

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2. Avoid California-Based Addresses

California has stricter privacy laws and higher taxes which can sometimes impact business usage of virtual mailboxes. Consider alternatives unless there’s a specific reason to be based there. Also, there are freelancer laws.

On many job boards, I’ve seen job listings state that they won’t hire folks from California. This matters if you used your California-based virtual address in an application or resume.

Many remote employers hesitate to hire people with California addresses because of the state’s stringent labor laws, which can expose companies to legal risks and increased administrative burdens.

Additionally, California has a high sales tax rate, which could lead to higher costs for your business purchases if you appear to be located there. It also levies an income tax. You might be liable for California state taxes on your earnings, even if you work elsewhere. 

The state tax rate won’t apply to you if your domicile state isn’t California.

Choosing a virtual mailbox in a different state with more business-friendly regulations can help you avoid these issues.

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3. Understand Domicile States

I’m not a legal expert. Talk to an actual lawyer if you need more information on domicile states. They’ll help you sever all ties with your previous state and ensure you’re not breaking any laws.

This section matters if you’re using a virtual mailbox provider for opening a bank account, as a tax address, and other similar purposes.

A domicile state is your legal home, even if you don’t live there currently. It’s where you intend to return and “reside” indefinitely. Domicile states are important because they determine your state income tax liability, voting rights, and other legal matters.

You cannot use a virtual mailbox to establish your residency [3, 4]. However, you are legally allowed to use it to maintain your address. This is because government, insurance, and financial institutions will need a proof of address for various situations.

For businesses, some virtual mailboxes will offer lease agreements to verify your address. These add more costs.

Normies will need to find providers that offer assistance with residency.

With that said, what addresses should a normie consider as a domicile state?

South Dakota is the most lenient due to only requiring you to live in the state once every 5 years [5]. They also have a very low sales tax and don’t punish you with state income tax. Texas and Florida are also good states.

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4. Evaluate Fees

You thought you were just paying the monthly fee for an address? Hah. Nope.

Here are all of the fees you’ll likely encounter:

Virtual Mailbox Fee Type	Explanation
Extended Storage	Exceeding free physical storage periods lead to daily/monthly fees.
* Package Storage	Cost for storing packages.
Extra Recipients	Adding more recipients to your virtual mailbox.
Cancellation Fees	Some providers charge a fee for canceling your subscription early.
Form 1583 Notarization	Cost to get your account set up.
Premium Address Fees	Addresses in desirable locations come with higher fees.
Color Scanning	Some providers offer color scans of your mail for an extra fee.
Shredding	Destroying unwanted mail.
Extra scans	Opening and scanning the content of letters
Check Depositing	Depositing checks into your bank account.
** Forwarding	Forwarding a mailing item to a new address.
Account Setup Fee	Set up your virtual mailbox account
International Mail Fee	If you receive international mail.
Payment Processing Fee	Processing your monthly payments.
Per mailing item received.	Scanning the outside of an envelope or package.
Oversized Package	Packages over a weight threshold.
Local Pickup	Picking up a package.
Per Additional Address	Addresses added to plan.
Expedited Check Deposits	Deposit checks quicker.
Custom Packaging	Fragile items, etc.

Notes:

* Pay attention to the fine print of “$X” PER POUND after “X” days.

Like this. It’s not “$15 per package,” it’s “$15 per pound per month.”

** Providers will often charge a flat shipping/handling fee, then more for postage, then even more for box contents. For instance, LegalZoom charges $1 PER ITEM within the box.

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5. International Customer Support

If you’re in a different timezone, you’ll need customer service that’s available when you’re awake. Unless you’re fine with staying up late to match their time zone availability.

I live in Asia, which is at least 13 hours ahead of the US. Thus, I’d need to find customer service that’s available 24 hours daily. Or a provider that’s open when it’s not too late for me.

Seldom, providers will offer customer support in different timezones, but it’s out there.

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6. Mail Safety & Security

I wish I could say that your mail is 100% safe with virtual mailbox providers, but it’s likely not. Many providers, who I didn’t recommend earlier, have measures in place to reduce mail theft. For instance, 24/7 CCTV and employee background checks.

They don’t specify how effective these measures are, but it’s better than relying on a faceless CRMA that doesn’t have any idea of what’s going on at their facilities.

I do not like the data security measures almost all virtual mailbox providers have. However, for digital nomads and expats, these providers are unfortunately our only option in some circumstances.

A majority of providers I tested DON’T have 2-factor authentication for logging in, for instance, at least using 1-time randomized codes from apps like Google Authenticator. This is pretty bad, but I have to hold myself back from going on a rant with this.

Most providers also aren’t HIPAA-compliant or HIPAA BAA. Avoid using virtual mailbox providers for mail for medical stuff and opt for digital documents (if possible).

If you’re often forwarding mail internationally, find a provider that offers insurance as an add-on. You’ll need it in case something happens to your package.

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7. Features

Here are many of the features you’ll typically find:

Feature	Description	Best For
Virtual Business Address	Prestigious address for business use.	Businesses, startups, remote workers
Mail Scanning	Digitizes mail content for online viewing.	Travelers, digital nomads, expats
Mail Forwarding	Sends mail to another address.	Anyone needing mail redirected
Check Depositing	Deposits checks remotely.	Businesses, individuals receiving checks
Package Forwarding	Forwards packages to another address.	Online shoppers, frequent movers
Mail Shredding	Securely destroys unwanted mail.	Anyone concerned about privacy
Virtual Office	Provides a professional business presence.	Businesses, startups, freelancers
Meeting Room Access	Allows booking of meeting rooms.	Businesses, teams, individuals needing space
Virtual Receptionist	Answers calls and forwards them as needed.	Businesses, individuals needing call handling
Registered Agent Services	Receives legal documents.	Businesses, LLCs, corporations
Local Phone Number	Provides a local phone number.	Businesses targeting a specific area
Mail Filtering	Sorts mail based on sender or type.	Anyone receiving a lot of mail
Junk Mail Removal	Discards junk mail automatically.	Anyone wanting to reduce clutter
Integration with Apps	Connects to accounting or productivity apps.	Businesses, organized individuals
Multiple User Access	Allows several users to access the mailbox.	Teams, families, businesses with multiple staff

Most providers won’t offer all of these features. 

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8. Is it Flagged as CMRA?

Most banks won’t allow CMRA addresses if they’re flagged as so by USPS. This virtually makes virtual mailboxes useless unless you just want to receive or forward mail.

And even then, companies and e-commerce stores might flag CMRA addresses with anti-fraud software. Potentially preventing you from making purchases online.

I did a lot of the heavy lifting to tell you whether many of the addresses above are CMRA. But I can’t do that with every virtual mailbox provider.

Here’s how you’d look up whether a virtual mailbox is flagged as a CMRA:

1. Copy the address/s from your desired virtual mailbox provider.
2. Sign up for the free trial of Smarty (up to 1,000 scans for free, I’m not an affiliate)
   1. You could also use a free tool on USPS’ website, but it won’t tell you the RDI of an address; just whether it’s a CMRA
3. We’re looking for 2 values:
   1. Under Metadata, check RDI for “Residential”
   2. Under Analysis, check CMRA for “N”

Most virtual mailbox providers will list their addresses in easily accessible places on their site. Others will require you to find the pre-filled USPS Form 1583 on their sites. These will tell you what address they’ll use for their service.

Residential Delivery Indicator (RDI) is a data product offered by the United States Postal Service (USPS) that identifies whether a specific address is classified as residential or business.

Many private carriers charge higher fees for delivering to residential addresses compared to commercial ones.

However…

Having an RDI value of “Commercial” is great for businesses, but not for digital nomads not wanting to make a business. Getting an address with “Residential” as the value will lessen the likelihood of encountering issues with banks and online shops.

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How to Set Up Mail Forwarding

Here are the steps that I’ve followed to set up mail forwarding:

1. Find a provider.
2. Sign Up and Complete USPS Form 1583: Fill out the required USPS Form (PDF)
   1. This authorizes the virtual mailbox provider to receive mail on your behalf.
   2. You’ll need to provide identification documents and have the form notarized—additional fee, which will vary.
3. Update Your Address: Inform senders of your new virtual mailbox address.
   1. Also file a change-of-address request with the USPS to forward mail from your old address.
   2. You can do this online.
4. Opt for Digital Delivery: Reduce the amount of mail you’ll get to save on fees and mail storage.
   1. Receive digital statements from banks instead of physical ones.

These steps may change by provider. However, this is what I had to do after signing up for one.

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Where to Pick up Your Forwarded Mail

Now that you’ve set up mail forwarding, it’s time to locate where you can conveniently pick up your mail.

Let’s explore some options:

• Hotels: When you’re traveling, hotels can come to the rescue for your mail needs.
  • Some hotels allow guests to collect mail, but the availability of this service is not universal. 
• Coworking Spaces: Many have reception areas that can handle incoming mail, making it an excellent choice for freelancers, remote workers, or startups.
  • This service might require a membership, which could come with extra costs. 
• Local Post Offices: They’re reliable and widespread, making them an accessible option for many people.
  • They have limited operating hours, which could make picking up mail less convenient if you work traditional business hours.
• FedEx, UPS, DHL: Courier services such as FedEx, UPS, & DHL offer mail holding and pick-up services at their local stores.
  • These services might come with extra fees, & the available services can vary by location.

Choosing the best place to pick up your mail depends on your personal needs and circumstances. Take into account factors such as your location, schedule, and the nature of the mail you’re expecting to receive.

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Providers You Could Investigate (But I Don’t Vouch For)

I don’t recommend the following providers based on how I judged their convenience for digital nomads.

I recommend at least checking them out. Because they may offer something specific to you.

Here are the honorable mentions:

Provider	Cons	Pros
Escapees	Requires forwarding general mail to TX; using a separate billing and mailing address could trigger online store fraud systems.	Offers domicile/residency services in Florida, Texas, and South Dakota
Texas Home Base	Labeled as CMRA	TX address
Scan Mailboxes	CMRA	Unlimited recipients
US Global Mail	CMRA	Offers free check deposits
USA2Me	CMRA	Good for package forwarding, not ideal for virtual address
LegalZoom / Earth Class Mail	Expensive, RDI is labeled as “Commercial,” and awful Trustpilot reviews	NOT labeled as a CRMA
Traveling Mailbox	A fair number of people claimed TRM lost their mail. I don’t feel confident in recommending it.	Amazing for integration and offers a lot of free scans with each plan.
Anytime Mailbox	All addresses have a commercial RDI. They have a confusing pricing structure.	It’s an option
PostScan Mail	Mix of CMRA and non-CMRA addresses Their starter plan has NO mail content scans Not HIPAA-compliant Value isn’t the best overall	Free 2 months for annual plans

I also threw these in here so you could get a glimpse into my thought process while researching these options. This is part of the method I used in determining which virtual mailboxes are the best for digital nomads.

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Questions People Typically Ask About Virtual Addresses