Virtual Mailbox and Mail Forwarding Service

Newcomers to Canada, expats, frequent travellers, snowbirds, online sellers and small firms without a fixed office.

Monthly plans by mailbox size or mail volume, plus per-item fees for scanning, shredding and forwarding.

• Organised and careful with records
• Comfortable with simple online tools
• Clear, prompt customer communication

• Check with Canada Post about rules for private mailbox addresses and any ID verification you must do
• Check privacy law in your province, since you will open and scan other people's mail
• Check whether your municipality requires a business licence for this use of your space
• Commercial general liability insurance, plus cover for lost mail and data problems
• Check GST/HST obligations, including for customers outside Canada
• Customers may use your address for misuse or fraud, so set clear terms and ID checks

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on the space you rent, scanning and online tools, and insurance. These are estimates, so price your own setup before you sign up customers.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on how many customers you sign up, what you charge for scanning and forwarding, and whether you serve travellers, newcomers or small firms. Treat this as an estimate only.

Check with Canada Post about private mailbox address rules and ID verification, plus provincial privacy law, since you will scan other people's mail. Also check municipal licensing, insurance, GST/HST obligations, and set clear terms against misuse.