Let me save you some searching. USPS does not offer a virtual mailbox. There is no USPS plan where a post office opens your letters, scans them and puts them in an app for you to read.
I get why people search for a USPS virtual mailbox. The Postal Service is the name everyone trusts with mail, and a lot of private services look like they might be USPS products. Some even use words like “virtual PO box” in their ads. But they are private companies.
What USPS does offer is a set of pieces that get you part of the way there. Informed Delivery shows you a picture of the outside of your letters. PO Boxes give you a secure place to receive mail. Street Addressing at some post offices lets your PO Box take packages from other carriers. And mail forwarding moves your mail to a new address. USPS also regulates the private companies that run virtual mailboxes, which it calls Commercial Mail Receiving Agencies.
I have handled my US business mail remotely from Bali for years, so I know where each option helps and where it falls short. In this guide I will explain each USPS option, what it can and can’t do, and how it compares to a private virtual mailbox provider as of November 2026. Then you can decide which combination fits your mail routine.
If you want the basics of how a private virtual mailbox works first, read our pillar guide to the virtual mailbox. Brand new to all of this? Our beginner guide to choosing a service is a gentle start.
Does USPS offer a virtual mailbox?
No. USPS doesn’t sell a service that opens and scans the contents of your mail. Its PO Box page lists box sizes, rental terms and Street Addressing, and it doesn’t mention any virtual mailbox product.
The closest USPS gets is Informed Delivery, which is free and shows you images of the outside of letter sized mail headed your way. That is useful, but it is a preview, not a mailbox. The paper still lands in your physical mailbox or PO Box, and you still have to go get it.
So when you see a “USPS virtual mailbox” or “virtual PO box USPS” ad, it is almost always a private provider. Those companies are legitimate when they are registered with USPS as a CMRA. They just aren’t the Postal Service.
What USPS does offer instead
Informed Delivery
Informed Delivery is the free USPS feature most people mean when they think USPS scans mail. According to the USPS Informed Delivery page, mail passes through high speed sorting machines that take a picture of the front, the side with the address. You get grayscale images of the address side of letter sized mail. It also shows the status of incoming and outbound packages.
What it does well:
- It is free.
- It tells you what is coming so nothing important gets lost.
- It works with residential, business and PO Box addresses in eligible ZIP Codes.
What it doesn’t do:
- It doesn’t open or scan the contents of anything.
- It only shows images of letter sized mail.
- It doesn’t forward, shred or deposit anything.
- You need a uniquely coded mailbox, which some apartments don’t have. Business street or PO Box addresses need a USPS.com business account.
I like Informed Delivery as a free early warning system. It is not a substitute for a virtual mailbox if you are away from home.
PO Boxes
A USPS PO Box is a locked box at your local post office. The USPS PO Boxes page says most post offices have 5 box sizes, from XS at 3 by 5.5 inches up to XL at 12 by 22.5 inches. Rental terms are 3, 6 or 12 months. USPS doesn’t publish a single national price because prices differ by location.
You can find, reserve and pay for a box online. But you still have to bring your completed application and 2 forms of ID to the post office to get your keys or combination.
A PO Box is cheap and secure, but you have to be there to check it. If you travel or live abroad, a PO Box on its own won’t help you much. Our virtual mailbox vs PO box comparison goes deeper on this choice.
Street Addressing
This is the most misunderstood USPS feature. Street Addressing lets you use the post office’s street address with your box number as a delivery address. On the PO Boxes page, USPS describes it as a way to get a delivery address for packages from other carriers, including Amazon, DHL, FedEx and UPS, subject to availability and restrictions.
So at participating post offices, your PO Box can receive a FedEx or UPS package. That closes one of the biggest gaps between a PO Box and a private mailbox. But it is not available at every location, and it still doesn’t add scanning or forwarding.
Mail forwarding
If you are moving, USPS forwarding is the classic tool. The USPS mail forwarding page says First Class Mail is forwarded for free, standard forwarding lasts 12 months, and you can pay to extend it for 6, 12 or 18 more months. Submitting a change of address online requires identity verification and a $1.25 fee. Forwarding can take 7 to 10 business days to start.
USPS also offers Premium Forwarding Service, where your mail is packed up and sent to you. For residential customers, it ships weekly by Priority Mail.
Forwarding works when you have a new address to forward to. It doesn’t help if you don’t have a fixed address, and it doesn’t let you see your mail before it ships.
What is a CMRA, and how does USPS regulate virtual mailboxes?
Here is the part most people don’t know. Every legitimate virtual mailbox in the US operates under USPS rules.
The USPS Domestic Mail Manual section 508 defines a Commercial Mail Receiving Agency as a business that accepts delivery of mail on behalf of another person or entity. The CMRA accepts the mail and either holds it for pickup or remails it, with new postage.
The rules also say:
- Customers authorize the CMRA to receive their mail using PS Form 1583, with acceptable identification.
- The CMRA must show its address designation with “PMB” (private mailbox) or the “#” sign, for example “PMB 123” on its own line.
- The CMRA must keep each customer’s Form 1583 current in the USPS CMRA Customer Registration Database and certify it every quarter, by January 15, April 15, July 15 and October 15.
That is why every virtual mailbox makes you complete Form 1583 before mail can flow. It is a USPS requirement, not the provider being difficult. Our USPS Form 1583 guide walks through how to fill it out and get it notarized online.
So in a sense, a virtual mailbox is USPS approved. It just isn’t run by USPS.
USPS options vs a private virtual mailbox
Here is how the pieces compare side by side.
| Feature | Informed Delivery | USPS PO Box | Private virtual mailbox |
|---|---|---|---|
| Who runs it | USPS | USPS | Private CMRA registered with USPS |
| Cost | Free | Varies by post office and size | Plans from about $10 a month |
| Address type | Your existing address | PO Box, or street address at Street Addressing locations | Street address with suite or PMB number |
| Images of envelopes | Yes, front of letter mail | No | Yes |
| Contents scanned | No | No | Yes, on request or by rule |
| Packages from UPS, FedEx and others | Not applicable | Only with Street Addressing where available | Yes, at most providers |
| Forwarding | No | Through USPS forwarding | Yes, on demand |
| Check deposit | No | No | Offered by some providers |
| Need to visit in person | No | Yes, to collect mail | No |
The pattern is clear. USPS tools are cheap or free and very reliable, but they assume you can get to the mail. A private virtual mailbox costs more, but it brings your mail to you wherever you are.
Private providers to compare
These are the providers I would look at if you want what people mean by a “USPS virtual mailbox.” This section is research led. I checked each provider’s published plans and pages in November 2026 and did not open test accounts for this guide. Prices often vary by location.
Traveling Mailbox
Traveling Mailbox publishes flat plans. As of November 2026 its Basic plan is $15 a month with 40 envelopes and 35 page scans, and its Small Business plan is $55 a month with 200 envelopes. Shredding is free, scans stay in unlimited cloud storage, and forwarding is postage plus $2 per shipment. It is a good pick if you want simple pricing, so check Traveling Mailbox’s plans against your mail volume.
iPostal1
iPostal1 lists plans from $9.99 a month for a mailing address, with prices that vary by location tier. It offers real street addresses and receives packages from UPS, FedEx, DHL and USPS. If you want a street address instead of a PO Box, browse iPostal1 locations near you.
Anytime Mailbox
Anytime Mailbox is a network of independent operators with more than 2,000 locations and advertised plans from $9.99 a month. It is a strong choice if you want an address in a specific town. To find one close to where you used to live or work, search Anytime Mailbox locations.
PostScan Mail
PostScan Mail’s personal plans start at as low as $10 a month for 30 mail items, and it offers package lockers from $4.95 a month. Mail storage is free for 14 days on monthly plans and 30 days on annual plans. If you get a lot of packages, compare PostScan Mail’s plans and lockers.
PO Box Zone
PO Box Zone gives you a physical street address that accepts letters and courier packages from FedEx, UPS and DHL, which a standard PO Box can’t. It scans mail to email and can upload scans to Dropbox, Google Drive or OneDrive. For a simple scan and forward setup, look at PO Box Zone.
The UPS Store also rents mailboxes with a street address. It is not a partner of ours, so I mention it as a plain name. Our UPS Store virtual mailbox guide compares it with the online providers. For the full ranked list, see our best virtual mailbox roundup.
Which should you choose?
Here is how I would think about it.
Choose a USPS PO Box if
- You live near the post office and check it often.
- You mostly get letters, not packages.
- You want the lowest cost and a USPS address.
Add Informed Delivery if
- You want a free heads up on what is coming.
- You have a PO Box or home mailbox and want to know when to go check it.
Choose a private virtual mailbox if
- You travel, live abroad or move often.
- You need to read mail without going anywhere.
- You get packages from carriers other than USPS.
- You run a business and want a street address. Our virtual business address guide covers that angle.
Use both if
- You want a USPS PO Box locally for some mail, and a virtual mailbox for business or travel. Plenty of people run both.
Cost is the other factor. A USPS PO Box is usually the cheapest monthly option, but your time going to the post office has a cost too. Our virtual mailbox pricing guide breaks down what private options really cost once you add scans and forwarding. For the budget end, see our virtual PO box guide.
Using USPS options for a business
A lot of small business owners start with a USPS PO Box, and for some that is enough. But there are limits to know about before you print a PO Box on everything.
Where a PO Box falls short for business
A PO Box is a box, not a street address, unless your post office offers Street Addressing. Many forms ask for a street address, and some reject PO Boxes outright. Google is one example. Its Business Profile guidelines say PO boxes and mailboxes at remote locations aren’t acceptable as a business location.
States are another. Most states let you use a PO Box as a mailing address on business filings, but registered agent addresses usually have to be a physical street address in the state. Our virtual mailbox for LLC guide covers those rules.
Informed Delivery for business addresses
Informed Delivery works for business addresses too, but USPS says business street and PO Box addresses need a USPS.com business account. If your company gets a lot of mail at a fixed office, it is a free way to see what is coming before you get there.
When a business should go private
If nobody is at the office to collect mail, or you need a street address for vendors and your website, a private virtual mailbox usually makes more sense. Our virtual mailbox for business guide covers team access, check deposit and routing.
Tips if you go with a private provider
- Make sure the provider is a registered CMRA. A legitimate one will ask for Form 1583 and ID before mail flows.
- Use the address exactly as given, including the PMB or suite number.
- Turn on Informed Delivery for your old address while you transition, so you can see what is still arriving there.
- File a USPS change of address from your old home to the new mailbox if you are moving.
- Check how long the provider holds physical mail before shredding, and export important scans.
If privacy is part of your reason for switching, our virtual mailbox privacy guide explains what providers can see and what they can’t. If you want a deeper look at scanning features, read our mail scanning service guide.
Frequently asked questions
Does USPS have a virtual mailbox?
No. USPS offers Informed Delivery, PO Boxes, Street Addressing and mail forwarding, but it doesn’t open and scan the contents of your mail. Virtual mailboxes are run by private companies registered with USPS as CMRAs.
Is Informed Delivery a virtual mailbox?
Not really. Informed Delivery is free and shows grayscale images of the address side of your letter sized mail, plus package tracking. It doesn’t scan contents, forward or store anything for you.
Can a USPS PO Box receive UPS and FedEx packages?
Only at post offices that offer Street Addressing. USPS describes it as a delivery address for packages from carriers like Amazon, DHL, FedEx and UPS, subject to availability and restrictions.
What is a virtual PO box from USPS?
There isn’t one. “Virtual PO box” is a marketing term private providers use. Our virtual PO box guide explains what you actually get.
Are private virtual mailboxes approved by USPS?
They operate under USPS rules for Commercial Mail Receiving Agencies. Each customer completes PS Form 1583, and the provider must keep those forms current in the USPS CMRA database and certify every quarter.
How much does a USPS PO Box cost compared to a virtual mailbox?
USPS PO Box prices vary by post office and box size, so check your local post office. Private virtual mailboxes start around $10 to $15 a month as of November 2026, before extras like scans and forwarding.
Related articles
- What is a virtual mailbox and how does it work?
- Virtual mailbox vs PO box
- USPS Form 1583 guide
- Mail scanning service guide
- All mailbox basics guides
Trevor Fenner is an ecommerce entrepreneur and digital nomad. At Mailbox Paradise, he covers virtual mailboxes, business addresses and remote mail handling through provider research and practical comparisons.