How to Use a Parcel Forwarding Address to Order Subscription Boxes

Updated: 03/09/2024

Subscription boxes have skyrocketed in popularity over the past few years, offering subscribers a delightful surprise filled with curated items tailored to their preferences. Whether it’s collectibles, gourmet foods, beauty products, or even pet treats, people love the thrill of receiving a surprise box on a regular basis and uncovering its unique contents.

But what if your favorite subscription service doesn’t ship to your country? Can you still enjoy these boxes using a forwarding address, just like you would with a regular one-time purchase? The short answer is yes! For the detailed answer, keep reading as we explore what subscription boxes are, how you can use your forwarding address from forward2me to subscribe, and highlight some of the most popular subscription box services you can access from your location for inspiration.

How Do Subscription Boxes Work?

There are subscription boxes available for almost every category imaginable, from gourmet foods and wines to fitness gear and tech gadgets. Customers may fill out a questionnaire or select preferences to help the service understand their tastes and preferences. For example, a beauty box might ask about skin type and favorite products, while a book subscription could inquire about favorite genres.

Most services offer flexible plans, such as monthly, three-month, six-month, or annual subscriptions. Subscription boxes are typically shipped out on a set schedule, such as once a month. A significant part of the subscription box appeal is the “unboxing experience.” Subscription boxes often offer products at a discounted rate compared to purchasing them individually. Additionally, some services provide exclusive access to limited-edition items or early releases, adding to the perceived value.

Why Use a Parcel Forwarding Service for Your Subscription Boxes

  • Access to More Options: Many subscription boxes are only available in certain countries. With a forwarding service, you can order from these companies even if they don’t ship to your location.
  • Cost-Effective Shipping: Forwarding services often offer consolidated shipping, meaning they can combine multiple packages into one to reduce shipping costs.
  • Better Tracking and Control: You can manage your shipments, choose shipping methods, and track your packages more effectively.

How to Subscribe to Boxes Using a Parcel Forwarding Address with forward2me

If you love subscription boxes but are limited by geographic shipping restrictions, forward2me makes it easy to receive your favorite boxes from around the world. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to subscribe to boxes using a parcel forwarding address with forward2me:

  1. Sign Up for a forward2me Account: Start by signing up for a free account with forward2me. This will give you access to forwarding addresses in four key locations: the UK, USA, Germany, and Japan. By having these addresses, you can easily subscribe to boxes from different continents and enjoy a wide variety of products that might not ship directly to your country.
  2. Complete Your Subscription Using Your Forwarding Address: Once you’ve chosen your subscription box, head to the retailer's website and select your desired plan. During the checkout process, you’ll need to enter a delivery address. Here, use the forwarding address provided by forward2me. This ensures that your subscription box will be shipped directly to one of forward2me's warehouses every time it's dispatched.
  3. Your box arrives at the forward2me warehouse: After your subscription box is shipped by the retailer, it will arrive at the forward2me warehouse specified in your forwarding address. You will receive a notification from forward2me as soon as your package has been received, so you can keep track of its arrival.
  4. Choose a Courier and Shipping Option: Once we notify you that your box has arrived at our warehouse, it’s time to choose a courier option that best suits your needs. We offer a variety of shipping options to accommodate different package sizes and weights, for example our Lite service If your subscription is a lighter item, such as a monthly book subscription like Fairy Loot. It’s cost-effective and perfect for smaller, lighter shipments. If you have multiple subscriptions or expect several boxes to arrive, you can opt to consolidate them into a single shipment with Combine & Repack. This not only saves on shipping costs but also doubles the excitement of your unboxing experience!
  5. Enjoy Your Subscription Boxes: After selecting your preferred shipping option and paying the necessary fees, forward2me will handle the rest. Your package will be dispatched to your home address, allowing you to enjoy your subscription boxes no matter where you are in the world.

With forward2me, you can easily manage your subscriptions and deliveries, ensuring you never miss out on your favorite boxes.

What to Consider When Starting a Subscription with a Forwarding Address 

When subscribing to mystery boxes using a parcel forwarding address, there are several important considerations to ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience. Forwarding services can help you access products not directly available in your country, but there are rules and restrictions that you should be aware of. Here’s a comprehensive list of considerations to keep in mind:

Prohibited and Restricted Items

Different countries have specific regulations on what items can be imported. Check both the subscription box provider’s contents list and our list of prohibited items to ensure none of the items fall under prohibited categories.

Some items may be restricted rather than outright prohibited, meaning they can be shipped under certain conditions or with proper documentation. Examples include certain types of electronics, plants, and beauty products containing specific ingredients. 

Customs Duties and Import Taxes

Depending on the value of the items in your mystery box and your country’s regulations, you might be required to pay customs duties or import taxes. Be aware of the threshold for duty-free imports in your country, and plan for potential extra costs. 

Shipping Restrictions 

Check if the subscription box's size and weight are within the limits of the parcel forwarding service if there are restrictions on the maximum size and weight.

Country-Specific Regulations

Different countries have unique regulations regarding imports, and these regulations can change frequently. It is crucial to stay informed about your home country’s import policies, especially concerning certain categories like food, cosmetics, electronics, or any culturally sensitive items.

Even if certain items are allowed, there may be quantity restrictions. For example, some countries may limit the number of cosmetics, alcohol, or other goods you can import at a time.

Our Recommendations for Subscription Boxes 

If you’re interested in trying different subscription boxes from various countries, below are some ideas to try from our shipping locations.

USA

The USA is a pioneer in the subscription box industry, offering a wide range of options across various categories:

  • Ipsy - A popular beauty subscription box that provides a personalized selection of makeup and skincare products each month. Subscribers receive a mix of sample-sized and full-sized items tailored to their beauty profile.
  • FabFitFun - A seasonal lifestyle subscription box that delivers a mix of beauty, wellness, fashion, and home products. Each box contains full-sized, premium products curated by experts, making it a favorite among those who enjoy discovering new lifestyle items.
  • BarkBox - A subscription box for dogs that includes themed toys, treats, and chews tailored to the subscriber's dog size and preferences. It's popular among pet owners who love to spoil their furry friends.

UK

In the UK, subscription boxes have also gained popularity, with many options catering to beauty, food, and lifestyle enthusiasts:

  • Birchbox UK - A beauty subscription box that delivers a curated selection of beauty samples each month. It’s great for those looking to discover new skincare, makeup, and haircare products.
  • Craft Gin Club - A subscription box for gin lovers that delivers a full-sized bottle of premium gin, mixers, garnishes, and snacks every month. It’s perfect for those who enjoy discovering new gins and crafting cocktails at home.
  • Papergang - A stationery subscription box that provides beautifully designed stationery items such as notebooks, greeting cards, and desk accessories. It’s popular among stationery enthusiasts and those who love creative writing.

Germany 

Subscription boxes in Germany cater to various interests, from snacks to beauty and wellness:

  • My Little Box Germany - A lifestyle and beauty subscription box that delivers a mix of beauty products, fashion accessories, and home decor items. It’s great for those who love a surprise mix of trendy products.
  • Foodist - A gourmet food subscription box that offers a selection of high-quality snacks, beverages, and delicacies from around the world. Perfect for foodies looking to discover new and exciting flavors.
  • Barbox - A subscription box for cocktail enthusiasts that delivers all the ingredients needed to make premium cocktails at home. It includes spirits, mixers, and recipe cards for creating the perfect drink.

Japan 

Japan's subscription box market is unique, offering a variety of products that reflect the country's culture and interests:

  • Bokksu - A subscription box that delivers authentic Japanese snacks and teas directly from Japan. Each box includes a curated selection of unique snacks sourced from small family businesses, providing an authentic taste of Japan.
  • Kira Kira Crate - A beauty subscription box that offers a variety of Japanese beauty products, including skincare, makeup, and bath items. It’s great for those interested in J-beauty trends and products.
  • NihonBox - A subscription box for fans of Japanese culture that delivers a mix of anime, manga, snacks, and traditional Japanese items each month. It’s perfect for those who love all things Japan and want a mix of pop culture and traditional products.

How Parcel Forwarding Helps You Discover More Diverse Subscription options

 Using a parcel forwarding address opens up a world of possibilities for subscription box enthusiasts, giving you access to a more diverse range of options from the USA, UK, Germany, and Japan. Whether you're looking for the latest beauty products, gourmet snacks, exclusive collectibles, or niche books, a forwarding address allows you to shop from international retailers that may not otherwise ship to your country.

With this convenient solution, you can explore and enjoy the unique offerings of subscription boxes from around the globe, ensuring you never miss out on the best and most exciting products, no matter where you live.

The Largest US Online Bookstores: How to Shop from Anywhere with a Forwarding Address

Today, we're highlighting the 10 largest online bookstores in the US, perfect for finding exclusive titles, rare editions, and the latest bestsellers. Worried that international shipping might dampen your enthusiasm for reading and collecting books? Don't be! We’ll also introduce you to a great solution – a forwarding address – that allows you to easily order and receive your favorite books anywhere in the world.
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