Despite the technological developments of recent years, receiving mail correctly is an essential factor for any company. The practical P.O. box makes it possible to outsource mail reception, provided that a few constraints are met. Here's everything you need to know about the business P.O. box and its alternative: company domiciliation.
DEFINITION
Definition of business mailbox: A mailbox is a letter box installed in a post office for storing incoming mail. With a regular subscription, anyone can obtain a P.O. box. With a P.O. box, individuals or businesses can pick up their mail directly from the box, during the opening hours of the post office or premises. Each box has a number and a locking system for secure mail delivery. Finally, the P.O. box number is indicated on the mail after the initials BP (for boite postale), instead of the address. Mail received in this way is kept in the P.O. box until the recipient collects it.
If you're a private individual, a P.O. box can be particularly useful if you're away from home on a regular basis. So you don't risk losing your mail or finding it damaged by bad weather.
For professionals, a P.O. box is just the thing if you don't have a mail reception service. Among other things, it allows you to conceal your home address if your company is domiciled at home, or to ensure the security of your mail.
The biggest advantage for companies is that they can do without a mail reception service. But that's not all! Mail is often lost or returned to sender because of a mistake in the address or name of the recipient. As a P.O. box number is much simpler than a full address, this risk is greatly reduced. Finally, you can collect your mail yourself without waiting for the letter carrier to deliver it! P.O. boxes are given priority delivery.
So you can pick up your mail as soon as the post office opens.
But such a system presents some very serious constraints. First and foremost, there is a geographical constraint. The P.O. box must be located in the same area as the home or business address. What's more, some post offices don't offer this service, or don't have enough space to accommodate all requests. In this case, it will not be possible for you to open a P.O. box. Finally, a P.O. box can only receive mail, and not parcels. This can be a real problem for a company.
It's also worth noting that a P.O. box is not legally or administratively recognized. This means that you cannot choose to domicile your company at your P.O. Box address. This means that it is not possible to receive official papers and certain invoices at this address.
Getting a business P.O. box couldn't be easier. All you have to do is go to your local post office (usually the nearest one) and request one. They are available for seasonal or annual rental to individuals and businesses. To obtain one, you'll need to provide proof of an address in the delivery area of the post office concerned. You'll be offered several options, so choose the one that suits you best. Once you've signed your rental contract, you'll be given the keys to your P.O. box, and your locker will be operational immediately afterwards.
As you can see, a P.O. box can be a very practical tool, but it's very restrictive. But there's a very attractive alternative: the domiciliation box. Domiciliary companies also offer postal addresses for receiving your mail. They can also forward your mail directly to you, or scan it and send it to you by email.
What's more, you're under no obligation to choose an address in your area. You can opt for a more prestigious address that will give you credibility and legitimacy. Last but not least, thanks to the domiciliation contract, you can set up your head office at one of the domiciliation company's addresses. You'll receive all your administrative documents there without a hitch.
While the P.O. box is a practical and economical solution, it is subject to a number of constraints.
Some prefer domiciliation, which offers greater flexibility and is legally recognized.
Written by our expert Antoine Deschamps
July 4, 2017
