PMI Services FAQ's

Since 1987, a leading specialist in mail and package forwarding services for individuals and corporations. “Our business at home makes your business abroad easier”

“For the past seven years we have been expats overseas. We would have really struggled with our life without the excellent service from PMI. Now, with a long term assignment in Hong Kong we will rely on your service again for years to come.”
Sandeep, Hong Kong

PMI's Expatriate Mail Services provides unsurpassed benefits:

  • How does your service work?Answer
  • Place your service order online or contact PMI at (973) 543-6001 or (800) 548-3622 for more information.


    PMI service initiation is a simple process that requires you to complete a few mandatory forms.


    PMI is a CMRA (Commercial Mail Receiving Agency). We receive your mail that is forwarded by USPS from your current address to PMI. Then we send it to you. You determine the method and frequency of delivery and the terms of your service plan.


    You instruct USPS to forward your mail to PMI by completing the USPS “Official Change of Address Form” either online www.usps.com mover’s guide or at the post office. You should check the “Permanent” box if you plan to be away for more than one year. This is necessary even if you will be returning to the same address later. Check “Temporary “if you will be away for less than one year. Please note USPS will only forward your mail for up to one year. You need to advise your mail senders of your PMI address before your forwarding year is over. PMI can perform this service for an additional fee. You authorize PMI to handle your mail by completing Form 1583 “Application for Delivery of Mail Through Agent”. A separate form is required for dependents or a spouse/ partner with a different surname (last name) than yours.


    When you determine your service selections and forms are completed, we provide you with a secure private mailbox with a unique PMI account number. Your assigned CSR (customer service representative) will provide you with our signature “White Glove” service.

    Hide

  • Can PMI ship merchandise that I order on the Internet? Don’t I need a street address for packages?Answer
  • Yes, PMI certainly can send packages. We have an entire department to help you so you can order as much as you like. We can accept and ship packages from express couriers like DHL, UPS and FedEx as well as the United Sates Post Office. We can even help you make a purchase if you have a credit card from another country. You can use PMI's street address for deliveries.

    Hide

  • What is the cost for your services?Answer
  • Unlike other companies, PMI does not charge annual renewal fees or hidden fees after you sign on. Our pricing is easy to understand with clearly defined charges, without any surprises. Mail Forwarding pricing and our Parcel-Package Service pricing.

    Hide

  • How can I keep my shipping costs down?Answer
  • There are several ways you can keep costs down:

    • To remove your name from bulk mailing lists, manage your catalogs online and learn more about direct mailing lists, go to www.dmachoice.org and register your information.
    • Most PMI clients prefer weekly shipments for mail but we are glad to accommodate you with every other week or monthly shipments as well.
    • Evaluate the different shipping options available to your country.

    Hide

  • How do you send my mail to me?Answer
  • Most of our clients elect to have us send their mail by a courier service, the quickest and most reliable shipping for overseas destinations because a courier package can be tracked. Because of our high volume with UPS, FedEx and DHL, we offer steeply discounted courier rates.

    Hide

  • How often will you ship my mail to me?Answer
  • You make the selection at the initiation of service but you can change this easily at any time.

    Hide

  • How many people can share a mailbox?Answer
  • Unlike other companies, PMI does not place a restriction on the number of people who share your account/mailbox as long as they are accompanying family dependents.

    Hide

  • I get a lot of mail at home, such as advertising, that I don’t want to pay for to be shipped overseas. How can I get rid of it?Answer
  • To remove your name from bulk mailing lists, manage your catalogs online and learn more about direct mailing lists, go to www.dmachoice.org and register your information. PMI offers an option where you can tell us what you don't want us to send, and we will remove it for you. Local advertising is always removed.

    Hide

  • Do you sell your client lists?Answer
  • Absolutely not! Your confidentiality is of great importance to us. We do not share any information unless required by subpoena or a court order (and we’ll let you know if that happens.)

    Hide

  • What about packages?Answer
  • PMI has an entire department that can ship merchandise packages to you. We ship a lot of packages and prescription medications for our customers. If you are paying for PMI's mail service, you also enjoy the benefit of having package export available to you. We will let you know that a package has arrived and provide you with the cost of the different means of shipping. Once you give us instructions, we will prepare your package(s) for shipping and fill out the customs forms. We always consolidate and try to provide the safest, most economical packaging possible. Your credit card will be charged a handling fee and the cost of shipping (which we advise you about in advance). You will pay the duty on receipt of the package. If you are not a PMI mail service customer, we have a package export service available to you. Please email askpmi@pmipmi.com or call 973 543-6001 for information and directions. Parcel-Package Service pricing.

    Hide

  • What is the shortest amount of time I can have service?Answer
  • PMI will provide short-term service for as few as three months.

    Hide

  • Why do I need a mail forwarding service when I have a friend or relative who can send my mail to me?Answer
  • Do you value your privacy? Many clients use PMI after realizing inconsistencies and lapses in mail sent to them as a courtesy by well-meaning friends and relatives. Maybe you don’t want your friends and family (or the company mailroom) to know the senders of your investments, financial institutions, credit card accounts, legal correspondence etc. PMI maintains your confidentiality while also providing professional, scheduled and reliable service at a reasonable cost. We can provide you with a list of the names and addresses of your senders and track the delivery of your package. We don’t feel that taking care of your mail is an imposition, either!

    Hide

  • Why can't the Post Office forward my mail to me overseas?Answer
  • The post office can forward first class mail only for up to one year and authorization must be renewed at 6 months. The transit time is often weeks and magazines and catalogs are not forwarded. You will still have to find a way to forward mail in advance of one year to avoid a serious lag or gap in service.

    Hide

  • How long does it take to set up service?Answer
  • Submit a complete online order to which we will respond with your account number within 24 business hours. A short phone call to us at 800 548-3622 or 973 543-6001 will get you started immediately. We will issue you an account number that becomes part of your address here at that time.

    Then go online at www.usps.com to begin getting your mail forwarded to our facility or go to any post office and submit the USPS Official Change of Address Form found in the Movers Guide- check Permanent on the form if you will be away more than one year (even if you have plans to return to the same address at a later date) check Temporary if you will be away less than one year.

    Hide

  • Will it cost a lot to get the magazines that my family enjoys shipped to us?Answer
  • No, including your favorite magazines in your scheduled mail packet from PMI is a very cost-effective way to get them and you will get the American versions, too.

    Hide

  • What happens to my mail when I am traveling or on home leave?Answer
  • All you need to do is send an e-mail or fax to your PMI Client Service Representative and let her know your plans. Your CSR can hold your mail here until further notice or re-direct it to a new delivery address anywhere. We can also scan it and e-mail it to you.

    Hide


Best Service Anywhere

Discover the distinctive white glove service that our customers have experienced since 1987.