Step-by-Step Guide to Establishing an International Snail Mail Address | Go Travel Daily

Step-by-Step Guide to Establishing an International Snail Mail Address

How International Snail Mail Addresses Work

When I first started traveling, one of my biggest concerns was managing mail while abroad. I knew that I might be able to find post offices during my travels, and with some research, I could manage to send mail as needed. However, the real challenge arose when I thought about receiving important mail while I was away. It becomes even more pressing if you find yourself in a situation where you need to receive a package urgently.

For instance, while I was in the Philippines, my invaluable Kindle Paperwhite broke. As a daily user during my travels, I was understandably upset. After contacting Amazon, they agreed to send me a replacement. The dilemma was where to direct this package while I was traveling frequently.

This situation piqued my interest in international mail addresses, allowing travelers like me to receive parcels without hassle.

How US Global Mail Forwarding Works

According to Brian Lempel of USGlobalMail, setting up an international snail mail address is straightforward. You can register a U.S. address regardless of your current location or travel plans, then select a service plan that suits your needs. By utilizing this address, you can direct all your mail to it while traveling, receiving your correspondence seamlessly on the road.

US Global Mail provides two primary international mail forwarding address plans:

  • International Shoppers: For $5 per month, have your mail shipped from a U.S. address to an international destination. For example, if your mom’s cookies are perishable, you can enter your current travel destination and choose a fast FedEx option for timely delivery. If you’ll be in Sydney in three days, you can have your mail redirected there.
  • Individual Plan: For $10 per month, choose one fixed international address where US Global Mail will send your mail at intervals you specify.

For those considering the premium account at $15, keep in mind that while mail may be forwarded, it could accumulate in one location (e.g., Italy) for extended periods while you travel elsewhere (e.g., Iceland). This can be troublesome, especially if important documents like credit card bills go unattended.

Note that US Global Mail’s international snail mail service has a quarter-pound minimum. For instance, sending a single letter or five letters to Australia costs around $2.30, while a 10-pound box shipped via FedEx to Australia will run approximately $72.50 USD.

Choosing Your International Snail Mail Address

Regardless of the mailing service you opt for, you cannot select your U.S. address; it is predetermined by the service provider. For US Global Mail, your address will be associated with their office building in Houston, Texas, where they can receive U.S. mail or packages from carriers like FedEx and UPS.

For additional information, you can reach out to:

Don’t Discount Writing Home

Moreover, sometimes nothing alleviates homesickness like a heartfelt letter from home, penned in a family member’s familiar handwriting. Families also cherish these connections. While abroad, take some time in a café to craft a letter detailing your experiences, what delights you’re savoring, and how your travels are changing your perspective. These letters, adorned with their unique postage stamps, often become treasured family keepsakes.

This article has been edited and updated by Lauren Juliff.

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