How Much Is a P.O. Box?

How do P.O. boxes work?

Before we explain the common P.O. Box prices, let's take a look at what a P.O. Box actually is. A P.O. Box, or post office box, is a lockable mailbox that is in a post office location, usually in the post office's lobby. You can rent it at the nearest post office if you cannot or do not want to receive mail directly at your home or place of business.

This is a great option if you are looking for a safe place to receive your mail or want a portion of your mail, such as mail for a home-based business, diverted to a different address. You can rent such a box for three, six, or 12 months. Most post offices offer 24-hour access, seven days a week, and come with a unique P.O. Box address. Usually, you access your P.O. Box with a lock and key. Some post office stations also have combination locks.

How much is a P.O. Box?

P.O. Box rental prices vary widely—it depends on several different factors. You can either spend as little as $19 for a three-month rental at one of the cheapest locations or as much as $658 at an expensive one. You can find a thorough overview of the pricing on the U.S. Postal Service website.

You can also contact your post office location to find out if there are currently any boxes available. You can usually pay for P.O. Box rental online, in person at your post office, or at a self-service kiosk. 

P.O. Box price-determining factors

As mentioned above, prices vary. There are three factors that determine the cost of renting a P.O. Box: the length of time you will rent it, the size of the box, and its physical location.

Length of rental time

Depending on the post office, you can choose to rent and pay for your P.O. Box in three-, six-, or 12-month periods. Some post offices only offer yearlong rental terms. You can usually get the best deal if you pay upfront for 6 to 12 months. It costs much more to constantly renew the P.O. Box for shorter rental periods.

If you already know you will need your P.O. Box for at least a year, you will save money by selecting an annual rental from the start. Some post office stations also offer a "baker's dozen" promotion—you reserve a P.O. Box for 12 months, and you get the 13th month for no extra cost. Keep in mind that your rental can keep renewing if you choose to have the fees charged automatically to a credit card.

The size of the box

In most cases, smaller P.O. boxes cost less. In general, there are five sizes of P.O. Box, ranging from extra small to extra large. However, not all sizes are available in every location, so you should consider how much mail you expect to receive.

The table below presents the boxes according to their sizes. Most boxes are 14.75" deep. If you want to find out what P.O. box options are available in your area, a web search for "P.O. Box near me" is an easy way to find post office locations and P.O. Box companies in your area.

Box size, dimensions, and capacity:

• Extra small (3" x 5.5", 2 rolled-up magazines or 10-15 letters)
• Small (5" x 5,5", 5 rolled-up magazines or up to 15 letters)
• Medium (5.5" x 11", Many magazines and large envelopes stacked flat)
• Large (11" x 11", 2 shoe boxes, and 10-15 letters)
• Extra Large (12" x 22.5", Multiple Flat Rate Boxes and parcels)

What happens when your mail exceeds the capacity of the box? It is called an overflow condition. If this is something that has happened to you, you should change to a larger box or use one or more additional boxes to receive mail.

Location

There are two fee structures for P.O. boxes, depending on the location. The postal service identifies these locations as either “competitive" or “market-dominant."

Competitive locations for P.O. boxes charge higher fees. Usually, the bigger the city, the more expensive the P.O. Box. For example, a small P.O. Box in a town in a rural area may cost $26 for a three-month rental, and the same sized box for the same period in a big city will cost you over $40. Also, P.O. Box prices can change annually in places where the postal service controls enough of the market to set prices without competition.

Why should I get a P.O. Box?

A P.O. Box offers a number of appealing benefits. First of all, P.O. boxes are fully secure. They are located inside the post office. They can only be accessed with a key or combination code. This is a huge step towards maintaining your privacy, as P.O. boxes mask your real address.

P.O. boxes can help you keep your home business mail separate from your personal mail, which is ideal for a small business owner. By getting a P.O. Box, you get a new mailing address that you can use for selected contracts and transactions.

You also might notice faster delivery speed. You usually receive your mail faster than you would at your home address since the locked mailbox is located right inside the post office lobby. Your new mail is usually available before noon, and you don't need to wait for the mail carrier to deliver it to your house.

Finally, a P.O. Box is a smart option if you move constantly. You don't have to change mailing addresses for bills, bank statements, magazine subscriptions, etc.

How to set up a P.O. Box

Setting up a P.O. Box is simple. First, you have to select a location. According to regulations, you can get a P.O. Box at most post office locations, no matter where your home or business is. Obviously, most people choose P.O. boxes at a local post office near their home or place of business. You must be at least 18 years old to apply for a box.

Once you decide on the location, select your P.O. Box size from a variety of general sizes: extra small, small, medium, large, and extra-large. The price of your P.O. Box will depend on the chosen size and location. The next step is choosing a rental term and completing the one-page form to confirm your identity. You can apply online or in person. Then, you have 30 days to activate your P.O. Box, receive your box number, and pick up the keys. When you receive your keys, you can start sharing your new address and redirecting your mail.

Limits of P.O. boxes

Although P.O. boxes offer convenience, they have their limitations. These include:

• You must provide a permanent, physical address to be eligible for one. This poses an issue for nomadic people who don't maintain a traditional, permanent residence.
• In most U.S. states, you can't use a P.O. Box to register a business. You'll need a real street address to use instead.
• P.O. boxes don't accept shipments from all carriers, such as FedEx, Amazon, or UPS.
• Size is limited. Depending on the amount of mail you expect to receive, you may need to upgrade to a larger, more expensive P.O. Box.
• You must pick up your mail at least every 30 days.

What's an alternative to P.O. boxes?

As you can see, setting up a P.O. Box is both beneficial and affordable. P.O. Box prices vary depending on size, location, and rental period but it's not difficult to choose the right option that will fully satisfy your needs.

If you need maximum convenience, you can also consider a virtual mailbox—a real street address or virtual P.O. Box address you can easily access online. It has been designed for both personal and business use.

How does a virtual mailbox work?

A virtual mailbox account allows you to do online mail management anytime, anywhere that’s convenient for you. It offers even more privacy than a physical P.O. Box, and many services offer junk filtering and shredding options. Plus, you can share login access with multiple parties, which is great for small business owners who may want employees to be able to check mail if needed.

You can easily establish a virtual P.O. Box with LegalZoom. Our virtual mailbox service delivers mail to your email as a high-resolution PDF. Similar to a regular P.O. Box, you choose a mailing address where your mail will be delivered. You choose a plan, file the form, and redirect your mail. These plans start at $19 a month, similar to the price of a P.O. Box without a trip to the post office.

Frequently asked questions

Can I manage my P.O. Box account online?

Yes, you can set up an online account through USPS. Select “Manage P.O. Box,” sign in, and then you’ll be able to edit your account, including opening a new box, renewing your P.O. Box online with a credit or debit card, viewing your payment history, and more.

When can I access my P.O. Box?

For most locations, you should have 24/7 access to your P.O. Box, but this may vary by post office. Be sure to look up the hours of the facility where your box is located.

How long can you leave mail in a P.O. Box?

According to USPS, you can let mail accumulate in your P.O. Box for up to 30 days. Beyond that period of time, you may need to consider a Hold Mail option.

What if I receive a package that’s too big for my P.O. Box?

Be sure to evaluate the type of mail you expect to receive before setting up your P.O. Box. However, if you receive a package that doesn't fit into your box, you may get a slip in your box instructing you to pick up your package from the post office counter. Alternatively, you may need to pick up your package from a secure parcel locker at that location.

Can I receive mail at my P.O. Box if it needs a signature?

Yes. If you have packages that require a signature upon delivery, you’ll receive a delivery notice inside your P.O. Box. Then, you can pick up your package and sign for it at the post office counter. USPS also offers a free Signature on File service, where you sign once, and all future packages will be left in your box.

What if the P.O. Box size I want isn’t available?

If you’re looking for a certain P.O. Box size that isn’t available at your location, you can choose another box size, try finding a box at another location, or put your name on a waitlist at your current location. In the case of a waitlist, you’ll be contacted when a box of that size becomes available. 

Can you use a P.O. Box address as a permanent residence?

According to federal law, you cannot use a P.O. Box as a street address for your permanent physical residence or place of business in legal documents.