Stop US Mail Temporarily with USPS Mail Stop Options

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If you need to stop US mail temporarily, you can use USPS Mail Stop options. This allows you to hold mail at a local post office for a specified period.

USPS Mail Hold can be requested online or by phone, and can be held for up to 30 days. You can also use the USPS Mobile app to request a mail hold.

To request a mail hold, you'll need to provide your name, address, and a reason for the hold. This information will be used to verify your identity and confirm the hold.

You can also use a USPS Mail Stop box to temporarily stop mail delivery. These boxes are available at local post offices and can be used to receive mail while you're away.

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USPS Mail Stop Options

You can place a USPS hold mail request online up to 30 days in advance and for up to 30 days. I like to do it as early as possible so I don't forget when I'm busy packing for vacation.

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Credit: pexels.com, Woman reading mail from apartment mailbox, holding newspaper and letter in floral dress.

To use the USPS Hold Mail service, you'll need to decide how you'll get your mail once your hold service ends. You can either pick up your held items directly from your local Post Office or request that your postal carrier deliver the accumulated mail to your home.

Here are the options for getting your mail once your hold service ends:

USPS Stops Accepting Inbound Packages from China and Hong Kong

The US Postal Service has temporarily stopped accepting inbound packages from China and Hong Kong. This means that parcels from these countries will not be delivered to the US until further notice.

Only parcels are affected by this suspension, so letters and flat mail will still be delivered as usual. This is a significant change that could impact Chinese e-commerce retailers.

The suspension comes after President Donald Trump imposed a new 10% tariff on all goods imported from China. This has caused a lot of disruption in the logistics industry.

A Brown Delivery Box with Mailing Details
Credit: pexels.com, A Brown Delivery Box with Mailing Details

Louise Loo, the lead economist for Greater China at Oxford Economics, notes that China and Hong Kong accounted for 67% of packages entering the US under the exemption between 2018 and 2021. This is a significant blow to Chinese e-commerce retailers.

Ben Tzion advises consumers to wait before buying products shipped from China or Hong Kong. This is because the suspension is likely to cause "chaos" in the short term, with disruption and cancellations.

Here are some key points to keep in mind:

  • Parcels from China and Hong Kong are not being accepted by the USPS until further notice.
  • Letters and flat mail are still being delivered as usual.
  • The suspension is a result of the new 10% tariff on goods imported from China.
  • Chinese e-commerce retailers may be affected by the suspension.

USPS Mail Stop Option 3-30 Days

If you're planning a vacation or a temporary stay away from home, you can stop mail delivery for 3-30 days with the USPS Hold Mail service. This service is available online and can be requested up to 30 days in advance.

You can place a hold request online or by calling 1-800-ASK-USPS, and it's free. The service holds mail per address, not per individual, so make sure your family or housemates agree to it.

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Credit: youtube.com, U.S. Post Office changes hold mail process

To use the Hold Mail service, you'll need to fill out an online form or visit your local Post Office. You can choose to have your mail delivered to your home on the next delivery day after your return, or you can pick it up at the post office.

If you're planning to be away for more than 30 days, you'll want to look into other options, such as USPS Forward Mail Service or USPS Premium Forwarding Service. These services are designed for longer-term temporary delivery, such as for a summer home or a college student living at school.

Here are the details of the USPS Hold Mail service:

Temporary Mail Stop Reasons

You might need to stop your mail temporarily for a variety of reasons, and the good news is that the USPS offers a service to help with that.

You can stop mail delivery for at least three days, which is perfect for a quick weekend getaway or a short business trip.

If you're planning a longer trip, you can also stop mail delivery for up to 30 days, giving you peace of mind knowing your mailbox won't overflow with letters and bills.

USPS Vacation

Credit: youtube.com, U.S. Postal Inspection Service - Vacation Hold Mail PSA

If you're planning a vacation, you'll want to make sure your mail doesn't pile up in your mailbox. The USPS Hold Mail service is a great option to consider, allowing you to stop mail delivery for 3-30 days.

You can place a hold request online up to 30 days in advance, making it easy to get it done before you leave. Just head to the USPS website, fill out the online form, and you'll know if the service is available to you.

If you're concerned about mail delivery times, you can request that your mail be held until your return, or you can pick it up at your local post office. I personally find it easier to get it delivered, but if you work outside the home, you may want to pick it up to avoid mail sitting outside during the day.

The Hold Mail service holds mail per address, not per individual, so make sure your family or housemates agree to the service. You can also check the service's availability by calling 1-800-ASK-USPS or visiting your local Post Office.

Credit: youtube.com, 12 Holiday Mailing Tips #6: Use "Hold Mail"

If you need to hold your mail for longer than 30 days, you'll want to look into the USPS Forward Mail Service or Premium Forwarding Service. And if you're permanently changing your residence, you'll need to fill out a Change of Address form.

Here's a quick rundown of the Hold Mail service's details:

Overall, the USPS Hold Mail service is a convenient and practical solution for temporarily stopping mail delivery during your vacation.

UPS Vacation

UPS Vacation can be a bit tricky, but you can hold packages at a UPS Access Point, a UPS Store, or a customer center. You'll need to pick it up upon your return from vacation.

To do this, you'll need a UPS My Choice account, which is free, and the specific package tracking number. You can't place a general vacation hold, so you need to be more aware of what is being shipped.

You can also deliver packages to a neighbor or change the delivery date within the My Choice account, but these options aren't free. They're not something you'll want to do too often.

Young woman mailing a letter in a red mailbox on a city street during the day.
Credit: pexels.com, Young woman mailing a letter in a red mailbox on a city street during the day.

Keeping an eye on your My Choice account is key to anticipating package delivery. This can be especially tough around the holiday season when you're tracking multiple packages.

If you're looking for a more premium service, UPS My Choice Premium is an option. It's $19.99 per year and lets you change your delivery date and location at no additional cost for unlimited packages.

Requesting a Mail Stop

You can request a mail stop through the USPS online service, which is the easiest way to do so. To submit a Hold Mail request online, you must first create a free online account with USPS.

The online service asks a series of questions to verify your identity, which are based on items in your credit report. You must answer these questions correctly to submit your request online.

You can submit a Hold Mail request for a minimum of 3 days and a maximum of 30 days. If you're going to be gone for more than 30 days, it's recommended to have your mail forwarded.

Happy female in plaid shirt taking surgical protective mask out from craft paper envelope isolated on red background illustrating safety mail deliveries during coronavirus pandemic
Credit: pexels.com, Happy female in plaid shirt taking surgical protective mask out from craft paper envelope isolated on red background illustrating safety mail deliveries during coronavirus pandemic

To submit your request online, you'll need to determine how long you need USPS to hold your mail and decide how you want to receive your mail when the hold ends. You can pick up your mail at your local post office or have the carrier deliver the accumulated mail to your address.

Here are the steps to submit a Hold Mail request online:

1. Create a USPS account

2. Determine how long you need USPS to hold your mail

3. Decide how you want to receive your mail when the hold ends

4. Fill out the authorization form

5. Verify your identity to submit your request online

6. Save the confirmation number for your request

If you want to submit your request in person, you must go to the post office that delivers mail to your home. You'll need to provide your confirmation number and a valid form of identification to edit or cancel your request.

Forwarding Your Mail

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Forwarding your mail can be a great way to receive your important documents and bills while you're away. You can change your address to have your mail forwarded piece by piece, either online or at your local post office.

To start the forwarding process, you'll need to complete the change of address (COA) application. This can be done online or in person at your local post office.

If you want to receive all your mail at once, you can use premium mail forwarding. Most of your mail will be bundled together on Wednesday of each week and sent to you using Priority Mail.

To use the USPS's forwarding or COA services online, you'll need to have an active USPS account and a major credit or debit card. You'll also need a valid email address to set up your account.

If you prefer to make your request in person, you can visit your local post office with a government-issued photo ID and a secondary ID as proof of residence. This could be a lease, mortgage statement, or utility bill.

Postage Stamp with USA Flag on White Envelope
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Here's a summary of the steps to forward your mail:

  1. Change your address to have your mail forwarded piece by piece online or at your local post office.
  2. Use premium mail forwarding to receive all your mail at once.
  3. Set up a USPS account to enroll in forwarding online.
  4. Visit your local post office in person to make your request with a government-issued photo ID and secondary ID as proof of residence.

Darla Bartell

Senior Assigning Editor

Darla Bartell is a seasoned Assigning Editor with a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling. With a background in research and journalism, she has honed her skills in identifying and assigning compelling articles that captivate readers. Her expertise spans a wide range of topics, including Truck Dimensions and Regulations, where she has consistently delivered insightful and informative content that meets the needs of her audience.

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