You chance upon a product you’ve been yearning for at a US retail store. But there’s an issue: the seller doesn’t ship to Canada. Or perhaps you want to score better deals because shopping across the border is cheaper.
Well, a US address might be just what the doctor ordered. For instance, MyUSAddress services make it easier for Canadians to shop online in the United States – whether or not the seller ships to Canada. By providing users with a free physical US address, the service provider lets you ship packages to their warehouse. You can then pick up the items or let them deliver to your home or office in Canada.
So, YES, there’s a way to get a US address to streamline the shipping process. Let’s discuss the process involved, including the upsides of choosing this path. Ready?
What A US Address Entails
Undoubtedly, international shipping costs often cause many would-be-buyers to pump the brakes on their shopping. Plus, some online retailers don’t ship internationally, implying you may not access their products.
You can circumvent such issues by using a US address. This lets you ship US packages to a local address, upon which the forwarding company sends the item to you in Canada or your preferred destination. The forwarding service may also handle aspects such as customs clearance before the delivery of your package.
How to Get A US Shipping Address
To acquire a US address, register with a package forwarding service like MyUSAddress. Such services provide convenient shipping solutions for people wanting to shop in the US but aren’t residents.
Although the registration process may vary from one service to another, you’ll need to provide basic information such as your name, email, place of residence, and payment method. Some packaging forwarding services include opt-in checkboxes for extra services like bill consolidation, package repacking, or newsletters, which you can select if necessary.
Upon registration, you get a shipping address. This becomes your default delivery address, letting you shop at online stores you would otherwise have no access to. And voila! You’re good to go.
So, how do you use the address? Easy: make online purchases from virtually any US retailer or marketplace. You then include the US address as the shipping address in your order. The seller then delivers your package to your US forwarding company, and like clockwork, the latter delivers it to you.
The forwarding service provider may also shop for you – if the seller only accepts US-issued cards. As such, you can request them to purchase on your behalf. Some companies also offer additional services like free returns and storage plans if you’re not ready to receive or pick up your package.
The Benefits of Having A US Address
Who would pass up a free shipping address? Nobody, that’s who! But what’s the point of such an address besides the obvious? The reasons below provide a rationale:
- Access to US stores and products – if you’ve encountered an ‘invalid shipping address’ error while checking out of an online store, a US address could be the solution. Usually, this occurs because some sellers only ship packages within the country. Your newly-created US address helps avert the potential crisis by allowing access to a broader market.
- Cost savings – you can leverage a US address to snag sweet deals online, including discounts and free shipping offers. Plus, since the forwarding service handles shipping, they help cut international shipping costs.
- Convenience – you don’t have to be physically present in the US to make online purchases. Also, package forwarders provide convenient solutions like package consolidation, free storage plans, repacking, and one-box shipment – helping reduce weight and cost.
- Identifying hidden charges – the forwarding service can inform you of potential hidden shipping costs such as customs duties or taxes. Some offer cost calculators, letting you input your package’s weight, cost, destination, and other details for a better estimate. By so doing, you have a better idea of the final cost before checkout.
- Rewards – Some freight forwarders offer membership points, discounts to loyal users, cashback rewards for purchases, priority shipping, consolidation discounts, extended free storage, and more. Such rewards help further reduce the cost of shipping, sometimes significantly.
- Access to an American credit card – if the seller only accepts US-issued cards, your US shipping address can help you sign up for a virtual credit card. You may then use the card for online purchases from your preferred US retailers.
Getting a US address is as simple as ABC, and the perks are worth it. That said, consider partnering with a service provider who doesn’t charge you to set up an address. They should also have a proven track record to guarantee service delivery.
