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  1. #1

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    Mar 2012
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    US address

    I have decided to settle in HK for a few years and I'm thinking of renting out my condo in the US just to have a bit of income from the home. I can't be asking my renters to check my mail for me. Even with a USPS mailbox and a plan to return once a year, some things that come through only in snail mail need to be handled in a timely fashion.

    Do credit card companies accept PO Box addresses? Even if you performed only online purchases (eg iTune cards), merchants still ask for an address. What do you fill in in those cases?

    If you are also from the States, what do you do about your US address? Is "friends and family" the only solution? I'm out of clues on this one (check my user name, ha. )


  2. #2

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    Most people I know (myself included) rely on family or friends. If that isn't an option, there are hundreds of mail forwarding services.

    Copied a link to one below, but there are many many more.

    Multinational Mail Forwarding Service - Expatriate Mail Forwarding & Shipping - Mail Forwarding & Shipping Company - PO Boxes


  3. #3

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    Mar 2012
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    Great info! Didn't know this kind of businesses exist. Thanks!


  4. #4

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    I use one of these services for my US mail--everything: bank statements, car registration, utility bills, the lot. You can ask USPS for a Permanent Change of Address TO one of these services, which lasts about a year, but you cannot do the reverse (no PCoAs allowed FROM such services). That means you will need to "take control" of your address and actively change all relevant addresses to the new one (generally a "suite" or "#" at your remailing service's physical address), and change them all back when you return home.

    I've used Virtual Post Mail for a while now with no complaints. They scan the front of each piece of mail received, notify me, and then I decide if I want them to open and scan the contents, ship the piece to me or bin it. I probably have them scan 1/2 the mail I receive, which I can then download and deal with electronically; I only have them ship important documents and checks. I don't subscribe to any US magazines, as they would have to be shipped. They also handle packages, but I've never used them for Amazon orders or anything bulky. Shipping everything to HK would probably cost a fortune. Good luck.

    ClueMinus likes this.

  5. #5

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    "I have decided to settle in HK for a few years". May i ask just how you imagine your near future in HK? I have found that this is not a place where casual settlers are wanted or accepted, by the government. Unless you are investing US$1M, have a good job in hand, or have/intend to marry a local person you will be living on 90 day visitor stamps which offer very little security and no benefits. Not easy to get a bank account, telephone internet connection, find work, etc etc. without a Hong Kong ID. Best of luck but advise you to not burn your USA bridges. The only usa bridge i would burn is that of the IRS. They will follow you everywhere you go.

    ClueMinus likes this.

  6. #6

    Join Date
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    Quote Originally Posted by jobin:
    "I have decided to settle in HK for a few years". May i ask just how you imagine your near future in HK? I have found that this is not a place where casual settlers are wanted or accepted, by the government. Unless you are investing US$1M, have a good job in hand, or have/intend to marry a local person you will be living on 90 day visitor stamps which offer very little security and no benefits. Not easy to get a bank account, telephone internet connection, find work, etc etc. without a Hong Kong ID. Best of luck but advise you to not burn your USA bridges. The only usa bridge i would burn is that of the IRS. They will follow you everywhere you go.
    Duh. Wtf does this have to do with a MAIL FORWARDING SERVICE?
    Satay Sue likes this.

  7. #7

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    FWIW be sure to check the US state income tax implications of continuing to own a house, have a bank account, drivers license, etc. Eventhough you may be in HK you could still be on the hook to pay state income taxes in some situations (some states are particularly difficult to 'leave' technically).

    ClueMinus likes this.

  8. #8

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    That's a good point. I know people who have had to give up their US driving licenses as part of "cutting ties" with their old home state so as not to be charged state income tax. California doesn't seem too bothered. I've been abroad 15 years and all they seem to do is notice every once in a while that I'm an active member of the California bar and send me a tax demand based on the "average lawyer's income", to which I reply that, no, I don't live in the state and they drop it. However, they've done this at least three times... New York has never bothered me (also active there), but that may be because I've never actually lived there.

    Anyway, sorry, this post was also not about US mail forwarding services!

    ClueMinus likes this.

  9. #9

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    Mar 2012
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    Quote Originally Posted by jobin:
    "I have decided to settle in HK for a few years". May i ask just how you imagine your near future in HK? I have found that this is not a place where casual settlers are wanted or accepted, by the government. Unless you are investing US$1M, have a good job in hand, or have/intend to marry a local person you will be living on 90 day visitor stamps which offer very little security and no benefits. Not easy to get a bank account, telephone internet connection, find work, etc etc. without a Hong Kong ID. Best of luck but advise you to not burn your USA bridges. The only usa bridge i would burn is that of the IRS. They will follow you everywhere you go.
    I have resided in HK on and off for quite a while now, I'm just starting to think that maybe I don't need the home in the US. Thank you for your advice, it is very much appreciated.

  10. #10

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    It never ceases to amaze me that this issue is such a problem in the USA. Most other countries you just ask for a postal redirect and pay a small fee!

    ClueMinus likes this.

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