katybluewater

Can anyone point me in the right direction? I have looked online on the USPS site to arrange for my post to be redirected from the USA to the UK when we move. However, it seems you can only do this if you are moving within the USA. Does anyone know how I go about getting my post redirected and how much it costs? Thanks

dunroving

Go to the Post Office and fill in the form. It's free.

rebs

We successfully had our mail forwarded by USPS when we moved back to the UK.
My info is from a couple of years ago, so it's possible it has changed, but worth looking into.

I couldn't set it up over the web, or on the phone though, that can only handle US addresses. I needed to go into a post office and complete a form and mail it off.

When I did ours, we didn't get any kind of confirmation, so I was concerned that it had not been set up - a bit of checking at the post office and calling a specialist team and I was able to find out that it had been set up. I know it's working as we had mail delivered here that was forwarded on...

Best of all - it was completely free

Sue

katy, did you try this link or is that for mail forwarding within the US only?

katybluewater

Thanks everyone - I'll go into the post office tomorrow - the link online is only for US redirection.

You lot are great - so quick at responding - I have recommended this site to so many people!
xx

CTland

Katy, Did you have any luck re-directing mail with the Post Office?
I went to my local office yesterday and they weren't aware of any overseas (non US military) options??

Simon Legree

USPS redirects my mail, including packages, from Arizona to Canada every summer. I get the form from the mailman. It's for up to six months and can be renewed. It's a free service too. I don't see why they wouldn't do the same to the UK.

CTland

You don't by any chance have a copy of the form or a form identification number so I can have another go around with my PO?
Thanks

Simon Legree

Sorry I don't have a copy.
Why not leave a note in your mailbox asking for a redirection package. It's an envelope with various coupons, U haul and such, and the redirect form. He should know what you need. I just complete the form and put it in the outgoing mail. It's worked for me for twelve years or so.

rebs

One thing I noticed when I did my redirection, was that the post office and the form and such like tend to refer to it as 'change of address' - to them 'redirection' seemed to be something much more temporary.

SadInStates

Hmmm, when I asked at the post office about this last week I was told that they can't redirect/do change of address to the UK, only to addresses within the US.

He said that what they will do is return the mail to the sender and notify them of the new overseas address so they can send it again with the right postage!

So now I'm very confused!

penguinsix

I was able to forward my US mail to my Hong Kong address for six months. After that I filed a second form and got a second six month period. You need to do it at the post office though.

It only forwarded first class mail. Junk mail and flyers did not get forwarded.

SadInStates

I went in again today and asked a different assistant, and they confirmed that mail won't be forwarded to a foreign address but will be returned to sender for them to forward.

So I looked at the USPS website and (eventually!) found this

•How do I file a Change of Address for an International address?
If you are moving to an International address outside of the United States, you will need to fill out the same Change of Address (COA) form (PS Form 3575) that is filed for a domestic move at your local Post Office™.

If you forget to submit a COA prior to moving to an International address, you can write a letter to your old Post Office in the United States and the Post Office now serving your new international address explaining the situation. Provide direction on how and where you need mail forwarded. The letter should also include as many details asked on the PS Form 3575 (Change of Address Form) as possible.

So I will fill in the form and see what happens!

Pombat

Just to add to this thread, I went to my local post office today to try to sort our mail redirection to the UK. The first person I spoke to said it couldn't be done. I asked him to check, as I had seen something online (here!) and thought there was a way to do it. He spoke with his supervisor who also said it couldn't be done. Luckily someone more senior was in the office in the back, and he said that I just needed to fill in the standard form as others have stated here. So thanks BE for the info! I now have the relevant form to fill in and will see what happens... fingers crossed

SadInStates

An update, despite being told by the PO that they could not forward our mail the UK, they have just done so!!