Virtual mailbox and mail forwarding

Expats and travellers, people living overseas for a while, online sellers, digital nomads and small firms that want a professional address without a full office.

Monthly subscription plans, with extra fees for scanning, shredding, parcel handling and postage forwarding.

• Careful and trustworthy with mail
• Basic website and online payments set-up
• Clear customer communication by email
• Organised daily routine

• Privacy law and how you store scanned mail and customer details, so check your obligations
• What identity checks you should require before setting up a customer
• Opening and scanning mail needs the customer's clear written permission
• Public liability insurance and possibly cover for mail and parcels in your care
• Check whether your premises, lease or council rules allow this activity, especially if you consider running it from home
• Misuse of your address by customers, so set clear rules on what you will and will not accept

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $12,000, depending on your space, website and online payment set-up, and insurance. Check whether your premises, lease or council rules allow the activity before you commit.

Opening and scanning mail needs the customer's clear written permission. Also check privacy law on storing scanned mail and customer details, what identity checks to require, and insurance for mail and parcels in your care.

Monthly revenue is typically around $800 to $4,000, depending on how many customers you sign up and your pricing. Plan for at least about 10 hours a week. Set clear rules on what you will accept.