When you move, travel, or simply want your mail handled differently, two options come up most often: Canada Post's official mail forwarding service and a virtual mailbox from a private provider. Both redirect your mail, but they work very differently and serve different needs. This guide compares the two so you can decide which is the better fit.
How Canada Post Mail Forwarding Works
Canada Post offers a mail forwarding service that redirects mail from your old address to a new one. It is primarily designed for people who are moving.
The Basics
- You order forwarding online or at a post office
- Forwarding can start as early as 5 business days after an online purchase (3 business days at a post office)
- Mail addressed to you at your old address is rerouted to your new one
- A move runs for 4 or 12 months; a temporary relocation starts at 3 months, then is priced per additional month (paid when you order)
- Mail can go to an address in Canada, the U.S. or another country
What It Costs
Canada Post charges once per order. In 2026 a residential move costs from $66.50 (4 months, same province) to $292.00 (12 months, U.S. or international). Up to four names are included. See every rate in our Canada Post mail forwarding cost guide.
What Canada Post Forwarding Does Well
- Catches addressed letter mail sent to your old address automatically
- No action needed for each individual piece of mail
- Works for letters, bills and statements
- Official government mail (CRA, Service Canada) gets redirected
- Simple to set up
Limitations of Canada Post Forwarding
- No scanning or digital access: You cannot see what mail you have received until it physically arrives at the forwarding address
- Delays: Forwarded mail takes a few extra days to arrive
- Time-limited: Each order covers a fixed period: 4 or 12 months for a move
- Does not give you a new address: It only redirects from an existing address. You cannot use it to create a business address
- Parcels are not forwarded: Canada Post excludes parcels such as Xpresspost and Regular Parcel, and courier packages (UPS, FedEx, Purolator) are not covered either
- No filtering: Addressed mail is forwarded, including addressed promotional mail, but unaddressed flyers and "OR OCCUPANT" mail are not. You cannot choose item by item what gets forwarded
- No notification system: You will not know something is on its way until it arrives
How a Virtual Mailbox Works
A virtual mailbox gives you a real street address at a professional mail facility. All mail and packages sent to that address are received, processed, and managed digitally on your behalf.
The Basics
- You get a dedicated street address (not a PO Box)
- Mail and packages arrive at the provider's facility
- Staff process incoming items: scan envelopes, open and scan contents (if requested), notify you via email or app
- You decide what happens to each item: forward it, store it, shred it, or download the scan
- Everything is managed through an online dashboard
What It Costs
Virtual mailbox plans are priced per location. Each plan includes a real street address and online access; scanning and forwarding allowances depend on the plan. See current plans on the pricing page.
What a Virtual Mailbox Does Well
- Gives you a new address: You get a real street address that can be used for business registration, CRA, banking, and more
- Digital access: See scanned images of your mail from anywhere in the world
- Selective forwarding: Only forward what matters. Shred junk mail instantly
- Package handling: Receive packages from any carrier - Canada Post, UPS, FedEx, Purolator, Amazon
- No time limit: Keep your address as long as you maintain your subscription
- Notifications: Get alerted the moment new mail arrives
- Privacy: Your home address stays completely private
Head-to-Head Comparison
Purpose
Canada Post forwarding: Redirects mail from an old address to a new one. Temporary solution for moves.
Virtual mailbox: Provides a permanent new address with full mail management. Long-term solution for businesses and individuals.
Address
Canada Post forwarding: Does not give you a new address. Only redirects from an existing one.
Virtual mailbox: Gives you a brand new street address you can use for everything.
Digital Access
Canada Post forwarding: None. Mail is physically rerouted with no digital visibility.
Virtual mailbox: Full digital dashboard with scanned mail, notifications, and online management.
Duration
Canada Post forwarding: 4 or 12 months per move order, or a temporary relocation of 3 months, then priced per additional month.
Virtual mailbox: Indefinite. Runs as long as you maintain your subscription.
Packages
Canada Post forwarding: Parcels are not forwarded. Courier packages are excluded too.
Virtual mailbox: All carriers accepted. Packages stored, forwarded, or held for pickup.
Control
Canada Post forwarding: No item-by-item choice. Addressed letter mail is forwarded as it arrives, whether you want each item or not (parcels are not).
Virtual mailbox: Item-by-item control. Forward important mail, shred junk, scan documents you need immediately.
Privacy
Canada Post forwarding: Your new address (the forwarding destination) must be a real address where you can receive mail. If you are forwarding to your home, your home address is now associated with the mail.
Virtual mailbox: Your home address is never exposed. Only the virtual mailbox address appears on registrations and correspondence.
When Canada Post Forwarding Makes Sense
Canada Post forwarding is the right choice when:
- You have just moved and need a temporary bridge while you update your address everywhere
- You want to catch straggler mail that still goes to your old address for a few months
- You already have a new permanent address and just need old mail redirected
- You do not need digital access or scanning
- You do not expect parcels (Canada Post does not forward them, and courier deliveries are not covered)
Think of it as a safety net during transitions, not a long-term mail management solution.
When a Virtual Mailbox Makes Sense
A virtual mailbox is the better choice when:
- You need a professional business address without renting office space
- You want to keep your home address private on business registrations
- You travel frequently or live abroad for part of the year
- You receive packages from multiple carriers
- You want to see your mail digitally without waiting for physical delivery
- You need a permanent address that will not expire after 12 months
- You run an e-commerce business and handle returns
- You want control over each piece of mail (forward, shred, scan)
Can You Use Both Together?
Yes. A common strategy is to set up a virtual mailbox as your permanent address and use Canada Post forwarding temporarily to redirect mail from your old address to your new virtual mailbox address. This way:
- Your new permanent address is the virtual mailbox
- Canada Post forwarding catches letter mail still going to your old home address (parcels are not forwarded, so give parcel senders the new address)
- When the order ends (after 4 or 12 months), all senders should have your new address on file
- You let the Canada Post order expire (or extend it before it ends if some senders still use the old address) and keep the virtual mailbox running
This combination gives you the best of both: temporary forwarding of your letter mail plus long-term professional mail management.
What About Canada Post FlexDelivery?
Canada Post also offers FlexDelivery, which lets you have packages sent to a post office for pickup. This is free but very limited:
- Only works for packages (not letter mail)
- Only works for items shipped with Canada Post
- Requires you to physically visit the post office
- Does not give you a business address
- No mail scanning
FlexDelivery is useful as a free package receiving option but does not replace either mail forwarding or a virtual mailbox for business purposes.
Making Your Decision
If you need a temporary redirect while you move from one address to another, Canada Post forwarding is simple and effective for that specific purpose.
If you need a long-term mail solution - especially one that gives you a professional address, digital access, package handling, and privacy - a virtual mailbox is the clear winner. The monthly cost pays for itself in convenience, time saved, and professional credibility.
Most Canadian businesses that start with Canada Post forwarding eventually switch to a virtual mailbox once they realise they need more control over their mail. If you are starting fresh, skip the forwarding and go straight to a virtual mailbox - you will save yourself the hassle of switching later.
