What is a P.O. box?

Definition: A P.O. box is a letter box installed in a post office to receive mail. Any individual or legal entity can obtain a P.O. box by paying a periodic subscription fee.

To obtain a P.O. box, it is necessary to follow a specific procedure that includes providing identity documents and paying a subscription fee. Advantages include optimal mail management, enhanced security and flexibility for both businesses and private individuals.

Individuals or businesses with a post office box must collect their mail from the box during opening hours at the post office or premises. Each box has a number and a locking system. For correspondence, the P.O. box number is mentioned after the initials BP, instead of the address. On the other hand, you don't need to mention BF with companies specializing in mailboxes for private customers.

Definition and operation

A P.O. box is a service offered by the French postal service that enables private individuals and businesses to receive their mail at a predefined location, usually a post office.

This service is regularly used by companies who do not have a mail management service or who wish to obtain a postal address. The P.O. box ensures that mail is not lost during prolonged absences. Mail is stored securely in a dedicated locker, accessible only by the key holder.

Why get a P.O. box?

P.O. Box for private customers

Individuals with regular correspondence who are often away (or away for long periods) have every interest in having a P.O. box to avoid losing their mail.

P.O. box for professionals

The P.O. box mail reception service is also aimed at companies that don't have their own mail management service. Having a P.O. box is crucial to the smooth running of their business, especially for efficient mail management and the support services offered as part of commercial domiciliation.

Letters are stored securely in the sealed box at the post office until the recipient decides to pick them up.

Post boxes are installed in post offices. They are available for seasonal or annual rental to individuals and businesses. The latter use P.O. boxes more often than individuals.

To obtain a P.O. box, all you have to do is go to the post office responsible for delivery in the area where you live. This is usually the nearest post office.

You'll need to show proof of address. The manager will offer you various types of periodic subscription. You will sign a rental contract and the manager will give you the key to your mailbox. Your P.O. box is operational from the date the keys are handed over until the end of the contract.

The advantages of the P.O. box for mail

Mail is often returned to sender or never arrives at the right destination because of an incorrect address: street name and/or number, building number, etc. The PO Box number is much easier to remember than a conventional address containing various numerical and literal information. A Post Office Box(POB) number is much easier to remember than a conventional address containing a variety of numerical and literal information. So there's less risk of falsifying or confusing the address.

What's more, having a P.O. box means you can collect your mail yourself without having to wait for the letter carrier. Mail is delivered in advance to post office boxes. So you can run out and grab a letter from your box as soon as the post office opens.

The limits of the P.O. box

To obtain a P.O. box, you must present a certificate proving that your place of residence or your company 's premises are located within the distribution area of the given postal establishment. Some post offices do not offer the service of receiving mail in post office boxes, due to a lack of lockers. So, from a geographical point of view, the advantages of having a P.O. box are quite limited.

On the other hand, a P.O. box can only receive mail. A major disadvantage for businesses: a P.O. box is a mail reception service offered by the postal establishment.

This service is not legally or administratively recognized.

As a result, a BP address can't be used as a company's registered office, and can't receive important official and commercial documents such as invoices and mail from major companies and organizations.

Regular updating of PO Box limitations is crucial to ensure that users have the most up-to-date and relevant data.

How do I get a P.O. box?

To obtain a P.O. box, you need to go to the post office in the distribution area of your head office or home, with your company's SIRET number or an up-to-date ID and proof of address. Users can choose between annual or monthly subscriptions. It is also possible to take out a subscription online on the Post Office website. Once the subscription has been taken out, a key is issued to access the mailbox, enabling mail to be collected in complete security.

Prices and options

The price of a P.O. box is affordable, with rates varying according to the type of subscription chosen. Individuals can benefit from a daily rate of €0.23, while businesses can choose between an annual subscription of €118.8 incl. VAT and a monthly subscription of €78.80 incl. VAT. It is also possible to rent a P.O. box for a shorter period, depending on the needs of the company or individual.

It is important to note that rates and options may vary according to the geographical area and services offered by the post office. It is therefore advisable to check with the post office for the most up-to-date and accurate information.

Business address and postal address

P.O. Boxes cannot be used as company domiciliation addresses. Domiciliation is a legal obligation for a company. And with good reason: a company must have a registered office to be able to start carrying out its commercial activities: commercial exchanges, work meetings, mail management, especially for all official correspondence (administrative, legal and legal) relating to its existence and development.

Mail management is one of the services offered by a domiciliation company, enabling new entrepreneurs to reduce their costs. What's more, the domiciliation company is generally located in a strategic geographical area.

Domiciling your company at an address in a privileged location gives a new business a professional, serious and prestigious image. What's more, it can also save you money on the Cotisation Foncière des Entreprises (CFE) tax, as rates for this local tax vary considerably from one municipality to another. By choosing an area with a lower rate, a company can reduce its tax burden while benefiting from an attractive, recognized environment for its activities.

Find out how much you could save on your Cotisation Foncière des Entreprises by using our free online CFE simulator.