Expat mail services

One of the biggest challenges for expatriates today is finding the best tools to stay in touch while they are overseas. Email and internet connections are improving even in developing countries. The World Bank has reported that internet access is increasingly important for economic growth.

When traveling and working overseas, expats on longer assignments have the choice of changing addresses or looking for mail forwarding services. There are some choices available for expatriates to have their mail sent to a single destination and then re-packaged and sent to them overseas. However, the downside is the long lead times and potential challenges of getting mail out of customs houses in foreign locations.

Another group with a clear need for better communications is the “location independent” professionals or “web workers” who either telecommute or operate from home offices around the world. Their livelihood depends on being able to receive and read their mail on a timely and regular basis. Having a virtual address to go along with their virtual office is already a standard expectation.

One service that delivers your mail for either personal or commercial needs is Earth Class Mail. Their services enable individuals and businesses to operate from anywhere in the world with an internet connection to receive and manage their postal mail online.

With my recent relocation to Central Asia, it was much easier since I didn’t have to process several change of address forms for my bills, subscriptions or official mail. Even though my move included visits in the USA to the east and west coasts plus a transit through Europe, I was constantly able to access my mail. For the important messages, I appreciated the ability to download scanned copies to my laptop.

Earth Class Mail also makes it simple to package and forward any physical mail that you need to receive in an overseas location. The items arrive in plain packaging and the details of the shipment available online can ease the process of dealing with customs declarations.

For professionals looking to maintain a legal business address in the USA, there are also street addresses from Earth Class Mail that can be used for coporate and LLC communications. Another recent feature that they have added is the ability to deposit checks to bank accounts directly from your inbox.

While there may be other services that promise to re-send your packages to overseas locations, Earth Class Mail appears to offer a valuable array of services that can assist expatriates in managing their personal and professional mail on a global basis.

Other mail forwarding services:

Personal Mail International, Inc. (http://www.pmipmi.com)

US Global Mail (http://www.usglobalmail.com)

ShipitAPO (http://www.shipitapo.com) – reshipping services for US personnel serving overseas (military and civilian)

ExpatMail (http://www.expatmail.co.uk) – catering to UK expatriates