What is a P.O. box?
A definition of a post box
A P.O. box is a service for receiving mail at a post office address. There is a charge for this solution. Rates vary according to your needs. Direct debit of your mail to a post office box enables individuals or companies to receive standard mail, tracked mail and registered letters with or without acknowledgement of receipt.
What can be delivered in a P.O. box?
Depending on the service you subscribe to, the post office will receive your Colissimo parcels. La Poste offers a range of subscription solutions for individuals and business customers. Rates and contracts are tailored to the customer's actual needs. Private service providers offer similar solutions in Paris and throughout France.
Physically, the P.O. box takes the form of a locker to which you and the service provider have sole access. The locker has a locking system (code or key) and a unique P.O. box number. Mail is accessible during opening hours.
Who is this solution for?
PO Box services are addressed to :
- to individuals
- professionals (auto-entrepreneurs, companies)
- to associations
A P.O. box is an excellent way to continue receiving your mail when you're away from home for long periods. If you're an expatriate, there's an additional service that can forward your mail to you.
Opening a mailbox in Paris is quick and easy. All you need to do is submit the required documents to your post office. Companies are required to visit the post office to complete their application. Before you go, check with the post office or the service provider to make sure that lockers are available.
For professionals
Professionals must provide the following documents:
- opening application form
- two pieces of identification for a company representative
- a KBIS extract with Siret
- proof of registered office address
- means of payment (RIB, credit card)
If there's no post office close to you, or none at all, you should know that there are private companies offering mail domiciliation solutions. In a large city like Paris, where there may be a shortage of mailboxes, these companies represent a very attractive alternative.
For private customers
Individuals wishing to open a direct debit service for their mail must go to a post office to complete the formalities. Several documents are required:
- mailbox application form
- two pieces of identification
- Proof of address
- RIB or bank card
Several individuals can be listed on the PO Box, provided they live in the same household.
Important information for shippers
To have your mail or parcels addressed to the post office box, it is important that senders provide the following information:
- company name or name of addressee
- number and type of road (street, boulevard, path, etc.)
- postal code and city
- P.O. Box: BP
If your senders write to you from abroad, the word "France" must be added to the letter.
It's quick and easy to set up a BP, and you can benefit from its use for just a few months thanks to a flexible contract. If you're traveling around the world, you can use the online procedure to ask your letter carrier to forward your letters.
The advantages and limitations of a post office box in Paris
Opening a post office box in Paris has its benefits, but there are also certain limitations that need to be explained.
The advantages of a post office box in Paris
Renting a post office box in Paris has a number of benefits benefits for the domiciliation of your mail. It's a secure service. Only site professionals and contract holders have access to the lockers. The risk of theft is reduced. Depending on where you are domiciled, you may need to receive your sensitive mail at a secure address.
Having a post office box in Paris ensures confidentiality. Whether you're a private individual, a professional or an association manager, you may have good reasons for not wishing to pass on your physical address to your senders.
A P.O. box is an excellent service for small businesses needing tooutsource their mailmanagement. Micro-entrepreneurs and small business owners often have their head office associated with their home.
A P.O. box is an interesting alternative to having your personal mailbox filled with business mail. On the other hand, it may be wiser to keep your home address anonymous if you're a manager or self-employed entrepreneur.
The provision of a PO Box service is of interest if you are planning a long trip. Postal power of attorney is a service available to both corporate bodies and private individuals. This document enables an individual, mandated by an individual or a company, to access the PO box to retrieve mail received at the PO address.
The limits of a post office box in Paris
Opening a post office box in Paris has its drawbacks. Not all arrondissements have a sufficient number of post office lockers. Some companies may be allocated undersized lockers due to lack of availability.
Lockers are sometimes too small. Parcels cannot be placed in them. If mail accumulates too quickly, it can saturate the box. Receiving your letters could be compromised.
A P.O. Box cannot be used as a registered address for a company's head office. Professionals are required to specify a physical address when producing the following documents:
- quotations
- Invoices
- tax returns
Administrative procedures require an address. Banks and insurance companies may need to contact you at an address to which you deliver mail on a daily basis.
Depending on the geographical location of your post office in Paris, access conditions can mean time-consuming travel. Picking up your mail means you need to plan this task into your daily routine.
A post office box in Paris gives you the opportunity to receive your mail at a post office close to your home. Private individuals and professionals benefit from tailored solutions to ensure that their mail is followed up under optimal conditions, defined over time within a contract. SeDomicilier can help you with all your mail management questions.
Written by our expert Editorial staff
March 20, 2024
