To get a PO box in Montreal, you have two options: a Canada Post postal box, rented at a post office counter, or a private mailbox at a local mail center, which gives you a street address. The Canada Post box receives Canada Post mail. The private mailbox also receives packages from private carriers.
Canada Post box or private mailbox: what is the difference?
In Quebec, people often use "PO box", "casier postal" and "case postale" for the same thing. In this guide:
- A PO box is a Canada Post postal box, at a post office or a postal outlet. Your address uses a box number.
- A private mailbox is a box rented at a mail center or a pack-and-ship store. Your address is the store's street address, followed by your box number.
| Canada Post PO box | Private mailbox (mail center) | |
|---|---|---|
| Address | Box number at the post office | Mail center's street address + box number |
| Canada Post mail | Yes | Yes |
| UPS, FedEx, DHL or Purolator packages | No: the box is only for items sent through Canada Post approved services | Yes, the mail center has a street address |
| How you rent it | At the counter, for 3, 6 or 12 months | Online, based on the mail center's plans |
| Pickup by someone else | With a letter of authorization | With authorized recipients, depending on the plan |
For more options than a post office box, read our guide to PO box alternatives.
How do you rent a Canada Post PO box?
Canada Post says to go to your nearest post office to rent a postal box. The steps:
- Bring your ID. Canada Post requires two pieces of acceptable identification, original and valid, when you rent or renew. Its rental page mentions a government-issued photo ID. A business also provides proof of the organization, such as proof of incorporation or business registration.
- Choose the length. Rentals last 3, 6 or 12 months and are paid up front.
- Pay the fees. The price depends on the box size, the rental length and the location (rural, urban or downtown). A deposit of $15 plus taxes applies for two keys. It is refunded when you return the keys.
- Sign the rental agreement. You receive two keys. You need a letter of authorization if someone else picks up your mail.
The box is personal: Canada Post's terms do not allow you to transfer its use or copy the keys.
How do you rent a private mailbox in Montreal?
A private mailbox is rented from a mail center. With YogoMailbox, everything is done online:
- Choose a mail center from the list below, based on where you want to pick up your mail.
- Pick a plan. Plans, included scans and prices vary by mail center. Each mail center page shows its plans.
- Verify your identity. For a mailbox in Canada, the platform asks for a government-issued photo ID, a recent proof of address and a selfie holding your ID. USPS Form 1583 is only required for a mailbox in the United States.
- Use your new address. Write the mail center's street address, then your box number. The mail center confirms the exact format.
Each item received appears in your account. You then choose pickup at the counter, open and scan, forwarding, recycling or shredding, depending on your plan.
YogoMailbox is a virtual mailbox platform that gives you a real street address at a local mail center in Canada or the United States, with mail scanning and forwarding.
This is how a virtual mailbox works: a physical box that you manage from your phone.
Where can you rent a mailbox in Montreal?
YogoMailbox mail centers in Montreal and on the South Shore, as of 12/11/2026:
| Mail center | Address |
|---|---|
| Expert Shipping, Notre-Dame West | 1235 Notre-Dame Street West, Montreal, QC H3C 0B1 |
| Expert Shipping, Sainte-Catherine East | 365 Sainte-Catherine Street East, Montreal, QC H2X 3X2 |
| Expert Shipping, Queen Mary | 5165 Queen Mary Road, Montreal, QC H3W 1X7 |
| Expert Shipping, Verdun | 5045 de Verdun Street, Montreal, QC |
| Expert Shipping, Longueuil | 1682 chemin du Tremblay, Longueuil, QC |
| Expert Shipping, Brossard | 5645 Grande Allée, Brossard, QC J4Z 3G3 |
See each mail center page for its plans and services.
How do you receive UPS, FedEx or Amazon packages in Montreal?
A Canada Post PO box is only for items sent through Canada Post approved services. If you order from sellers that ship with private couriers, a private mailbox is simpler: the mail center accepts the package at its street address, logs it and notifies you. Our guide to package receiving service explains how it works.
FAQ
Can I rent a mailbox in Montreal if I do not live there?
Yes. You sign up online, and the proof of address is for your current address. You can then have your mail scanned or forwarded instead of picking it up, depending on your plan.
How much does a PO box cost in Montreal?
At Canada Post, the price depends on the size, length and location, plus a key deposit of $15 plus taxes. At a mail center, the price depends on the mail center and the plan. Each mail center page shows its plans and prices.
Can someone else pick up my mail?
At Canada Post, you need a letter of authorization. At a mail center, you add authorized recipients to your account, depending on the plan.
Does a private mailbox also receive Canada Post mail?
Yes. The mail center has a street address, so letters delivered by Canada Post and packages from private carriers arrive the same way.
Get your mailbox in Montreal
Choose a mail center from the table above or compare plans on the YogoMailbox pricing page, then sign up online.
Sources
- Canada Post: How to rent a PO box
- Canada Post: Consumer Postal Box Terms and Conditions
- Canada Post: Identification requirements for postal boxes (French)
Last updated: 12/11/2026