A US address for Canadians comes from one of three options: use the address of a friend or relative, sign up with a package forwarding company, or rent a private mailbox at a Commercial Mail Receiving Agency (CMRA). A virtual mailbox at a CMRA gives you a real US street address in your own name, with mail scanning, pickup and forwarding to Canada.
This guide compares the options, explains the United States Postal Service (USPS) paperwork, and shows what Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) rules apply when your goods come home.
Why would a Canadian need a US address?
Common reasons:
- Online shopping. Some US stores do not ship to Canada, or charge high cross-border shipping.
- Cross-border trips. You order in advance and pick up your parcels during a visit.
- US accounts and paperwork. Banks, insurers, schools or clients may send letters to a US address.
- Snowbirds and frequent travellers. You spend part of the year in the United States and want one stable address.
What are your options for a US address?
| Option | Address in your name | Mail scanning | Forwarding to Canada | Main limit |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friend or relative in the US | No (care of someone) | No | Only if they ship it for you | Depends on someone else |
| Package forwarding company | Usually a suite number at a warehouse | Varies | Yes, often the main service | Built for parcels, less for letters |
| Virtual mailbox at a CMRA | Yes, with a private mailbox (PMB) number | Yes | Yes | USPS Form 1583 and ID checks required |
A private mailbox (PMB) is a mailbox rented at a CMRA. Your address is the street address of the mail center plus your PMB number. A CMRA is a business registered with USPS to receive mail on behalf of its customers.
How does a virtual mailbox work for Canadians?
- You choose a mail center in the United States and a plan.
- You upload your documents and complete USPS Form 1583.
- Mail and parcels arrive at your US street address.
- You see each item online and decide: open and scan, pick up in person, forward to Canada, or recycle.
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.
Plans and limits are set by each mail center, so prices differ by location. The steps to compare them are at the end of this guide.
Can a Canadian legally get a US mailing address?
USPS lets a CMRA receive mail for a customer who signs PS Form 1583 (Application for Delivery of Mail Through Agent) and shows two forms of identification. The rules are in section 608.10 of the Domestic Mail Manual.
For a CMRA, USPS lists foreign passports and the Canadian NEXUS card among the acceptable primary IDs. A second ID that can be traced to you is also required. This guide is general information, not legal advice. For other uses, such as taxes or a US business, check the official source for that rule.
Which documents does a Canadian need?
For a mailbox in the United States, YogoMailbox asks for:
- a government-issued photo ID (for example a Canadian passport);
- a proof of address, such as a recent utility bill or bank statement;
- a selfie holding your photo ID;
- USPS Form 1583, completed, signed and notarized.
The full list, and what changes for a mailbox in Canada, is in our guide to documents needed to open a virtual mailbox. If you live outside the United States, read Form 1583 for international users before you start.
How do you get your US packages into Canada?
You have two choices.
Pick up in person. You collect your items at the mail center during a trip and bring them across the border yourself. CBSA personal exemptions then apply. After more than 24 hours outside Canada, you can claim goods worth up to CAN$200. After more than 48 hours, up to CAN$800. Goods claimed under these two exemptions must be with you when you arrive (CBSA, personal exemptions).
Forward to Canada. The mail center ships the item to your Canadian address with a carrier. Combining several parcels in one box often lowers the cost: see how to consolidate shipments.
What duties and taxes apply to forwarded packages?
CBSA uses different thresholds for courier and postal shipments (CBSA, CUSMA low value shipments, page modified 25/11/2025).
| Shipped from the US by | Value for duty (CAD) | What you pay |
|---|---|---|
| Courier | Up to $40 | No duty, no tax |
| Courier | Above $40 to $150 | No duty, taxes apply |
| Courier | Above $150 | Duties and taxes apply |
| $20 and under | No duty, no tax | |
| Above $20 | Duties and taxes apply |
The carrier you choose changes the threshold, so check before you ship.
Virtual mailbox or package forwarder: which one fits?
Choose a package forwarder if you only buy parcels online and never need letters.
Choose a virtual mailbox if you also receive letters, need a street address in your own name, want to see your mail before deciding what to do with it, or plan to pick items up during trips.
How do you get started?
- Compare locations and plans on the pricing page.
- Prepare your two IDs and proof of address.
- Sign up, then upload your notarized Form 1583.
- Use your new US address once your documents are approved.
FAQ
Do I need a US ID?
You do not need a US ID. USPS accepts foreign passports and the NEXUS card as primary ID for a CMRA, along with a second ID traceable to you.
Can someone else in my family use the same address?
You can add an authorized recipient from your account. Each recipient may be asked for identification, and the number of recipients included depends on the plan.
Is my US address a PO Box?
No. A virtual mailbox uses the street address of a mail center plus your PMB number. A PO Box is a box at a post office.
Can I receive packages from any carrier?
A street address at a mail center can receive deliveries from USPS and private carriers such as UPS, FedEx and DHL. Ask the mail center if it has limits on parcel size.
Last updated: 27/10/2026
Sources: USPS Domestic Mail Manual 608.10, CBSA personal exemptions, CBSA CUSMA low value shipments.