Virtual Mailbox & Parcel Receiving FAQ
Everything you need to know about receiving, paying for, and picking up your packages at In Out Parcel. Can't find your answer? Send us a message.
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How do I add money to my account?
- Deposit in the portal.
- Pay with cash at the counter during staffed hours.
- Pay by card at a pickup terminal or the counter — card payments may include a small processing surcharge.
Guide: how to pay by Interac e-Transfer.
When are packages logged and lockered, and what if I get no email?
What are your hours?
- Mon–Fri: 10:00am – 4:30pm
- Sat: 10:00am – 3:00pm
- Sun: Closed
The lockers are accessible 24/7 with your pickup PIN.
Can someone else pick up my package?
Why should I include my Customer ID on shipments?
Your Customer ID enables fast automatic logging and lockering of your packages. Without it, we have to look you up manually, which is slower.
How does pickup work?
Your account must be verified to use the self-serve lockers.
Do I have to prepay?
No. Prepaying gives you full automatic retrieval; otherwise you pay at a terminal or the counter. Credit never expires, and there are no monthly or yearly fees.
Do you charge a monthly fee?
No. Unlike subscription virtual mailboxes that bill around $10 to $30 every month, In Out Parcel is pay-per-use — there is no monthly or annual fee. You only pay the per-package receiving fee when something actually arrives, so quiet months cost you nothing, and your prepaid credit never expires.
What does an account cost, and what are the receiving fees?
| Package Weight | Receiving Fee |
|---|---|
| Under 20 lb | $4.25 |
| 20–35 lb | $5.75 |
| 36–50 lb | $8 |
| 51–80 lb | $13 |
| 81 lb and up | $18 |
Other fees: tires $8 each · letter $4.25 · letter scan +$2.50 · freight $25 per 2 days · pallet disposal $10 · box disposal from $1 · inspection minimum $5.
What are tokens?
A token is a free credit that covers receiving a parcel of any size, except freight. Tokens are deducted before your paid credits. Adding a new token extends all your tokens to a fresh 45 days.
What are the locker sizes?
Can multiple people share one Customer ID?
A valid address looks like this:
Your Name 145 Tyee Drive, #_____ Point Roberts, WA 98281
The # is your Customer ID. It is required for logging, lockering, and for USPS compliance.
Do you accept letter mail?
We accept bank and credit statements, postcards, gift cards, and regular correspondence. Magazines, catalogs, junk mail, and flyers are discarded.
Guides: set up letter mail and reading your letter scans.
What can't you accept?
We do accept freight and pallets (human-liftable — no forklift needed), large TVs, tires, and refrigerated or perishable items. Customs inspections from US CBP or Canada Customs are welcome.
Do you offer cold or refrigerated storage?
Yes — we have on-site refrigerated storage. Packages marked as needing refrigeration are automatically placed in our fridge as soon as they arrive, and if you know an item needs to stay cold you can request refrigeration after it arrives. Most temperature-sensitive shipments are labeled, so we catch them on intake.
Do you have a fitting or change room?
Yes — there’s an on-site fitting room where you can try on clothing before you decide to keep, return, or forward it, which is handy for cross-border apparel orders. It doubles as a self-serve bay for picking up oversized items.
How do I update my information?
How do I verify my account / complete Form 1583?
Step-by-step guides: verify in person (free) or verify online by video.
How are tires charged?
- Bike tires: 4 unboxed bike tires, 35 lbs total → weight fee $5.75 (20–35 lb) vs 4 × $8 = $32 → you pay the lower $5.75.
- Auto tires: 2 tires, 30 lbs each = 60 lbs → weight fee $13 (51–80 lb) vs 2 × $8 = $16 → you pay the lower $13.
Can I pay the exact amount instead of prepaying?
Yes. You can pay the exact amount at a terminal or the counter. Your PIN works whenever your balance is zero or positive.
How do I close my account or get a refund?
What is dimensional weight?
Dimensional weight measures how much room a package takes up rather than how heavy it is — length × width × height in inches, divided by 139 (the same math the big carriers use). At In Out Parcel it rarely changes anything: your fee is based on what your package actually weighs. A box that is unusually big for its weight may be charged one size up — never more — and we only price by size alone when a package has no weight to go by.
What happens if I refuse a package?
Receiving and storage fees still apply once a package arrives. To avoid this, arrange with the sender or carrier to stop the delivery before it reaches us.
Do you handle outbound shipments and returns?
What if no locker is available for a large item?
We email you to say the item is on our staffed shelf, and you pick it up at the counter during staffed hours (oversized after-hours pickup is available on request). Storage terms are the same as any package: your receiving fee covers the first 14 days, then storage renews weekly.
Can you consolidate my packages?
How long do you hold packages?
There’s no rush — pick up on your own schedule. Your initial storage fee covers the first 14 days; after that, storage renews at a simple flat weekly rate for as long as your balance covers it. We never dispose of a parcel while you’re funded — a package is only disposed of after 80+ days AND only if you owe more than $50, and we send weekly reminder emails well before that. Guide: storage fees explained.
What about box disposal?
Leave boxes under the inspection table and we dispose of them from $1 each. You can also take boxes home — note there is no commercial recycling in Point Roberts, and littering carries a $5–$20 fine per box.
Is this a virtual mailbox?
Yes. You get a real US shipping address with mail scanning, online management in the portal, package receiving, secure storage, and worldwide forwarding — everything a virtual mailbox does. The added twist is 24/7 self-serve locker pickup in Point Roberts, so you can grab your parcels on your own schedule instead of waiting for staffed hours.
Ready to Start Receiving Packages?
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