Post Office Box in the Bahamas

[Peacocktd]

We are planning on spending much of the winter in the Exuma area. Is it difficult to establish a PO box address there?

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Peacocktd.

Yes, it would be difficult, unless you have a shoreside residence.

Bahamas Postal Service Box Rental
“Large = $ 80.00 per annum
Medium = $ 50.00 per annum
Small = $ 30.00 per annum
... Persons interested in applying for a mailbox must fill out a form; stating clearly the name in which box should be registered and his place of residence or business ... The processing period for mailbox application is normally (2) two weeks; while there are times when we exceed this period due to occasional high volumes of applications ...”

See ➥ http://www.bahamas.gov.bs/bahamasweb...257145006818DC

[Peacocktd]

It appears that without a shoreside Bahamas address you can't rent a PO Box. Too bad. We are planning on cruising for a couple years and the international medical insurance we are getting requires we give them an address outside the US. Head scratcher, how do we accomplish that?

[Vasco]

Get one in Canada.

[AnchorageGuy]

You might try one of the hotels or marinas to see if you can arrange to use their address for occasional mail. Especially if it is a marina you plan to use even once in a while. Exuma Market in Georgetown will accept mail for cruisers. Chuck

[doug86]

set up an account with Watermakers in Ft Lauderdale, and use their US address for Staniel Cay Yacht Club. They will forward the mail in their plane to the YC, where you can pick it up. Works for packages too, and they will handle the customs and duty. Staniel Cay is smack in the middle of the Exumas.

Watermakers, 2233 South Andrews Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316-3400 - (954) 467-8920
They handle your mail for a very reasonable monthly fee.

[Vasco]

Originally Posted by doug86

set up an account with Watermakers in Ft Lauderdale, and use their US address for Staniel Cay Yacht Club. They will forward the mail in their plane to the YC, where you can pick it up. Works for packages too, and they will handle the customs and duty. Staniel Cay is smack in the middle of the Exumas.

Watermakers, 2233 South Andrews Avenue Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316-3400 - (954) 467-8920
They handle your mail for a very reasonable monthly fee.

I think the OP is trying to not use a US address.

[lancelots]

SOS Mail Solutions – Australian Mail Forwarding - Mail Redirection for Travellers - Business Online PO Box - receive your mail anywhere in the world : All your mail solutions

[Peacocktd]

What we need is a non-US address for the insurance company. Our plan is to be away from the US for most of the time. Our regular mail will be forwarded to us through my sister. Just need an forwarding service to take care of mail coming from the London insurance company office. The Australian company looks like it just may work for us. Thanks for the tip!
We are new to this world and beginning our cruising life in December. Everything has been doable until we came up against the medical insurance industry. I nail should driven into its heart! The amazing thing is that as long as we commit to being out of the US for at least 10 months a year the rates drop in half.

[lancelots]

Good luck I wish you all the best in your cruising.

by the way who was your medical insurance company.

[GordMay]

“American” Yacht in Transit “Boat Name”
Attention “Your Name”
Staniel Cay, Exuma
The Bahamas

Mail, addressed thus, took about 6-8 weeks from Toronto Canada, and about 8-10 TO Toronto.

[off-the-grid]

So, how exactly do you handle this if you're in the US and not attached to a marina with no shore address? AKA: living on a free mooring or the hook.

PO boxes aren't too cheap, and not big enough to really receive anything beyond "small" packages. May be able to receive stuff at the sailing club here, but that's a big maybe, and would only be temporary, until my visitor status expires. This alone, could be a good reason to join the club.

As of now, I've been getting so many packages shipped to a friend that he's become known as Santa! I'm going to have to start making ssome friends down here, so I can at least spread out the load.