Frequently Asked Questions
Get an Immediate Answer From Our FAQ Bank.
WHY GET A P.O BOX IN MIAMI?
By purchasing a locker in Miami, you can take advantage of the best product deals in the U.S. Also, ship documents, magazines, etc. At MBE we offer different plans to suit our customers’ needs.
HOW CAN I JOIN THE P.O BOX SERVICE IN MIAMI?
Easy! Just log in to our website www.mbe-ca.com and click on the “Register” button. Select the MBE Center of your choice, enter your personal data and we will mail you your new address. It’s free!
WHY AND HOW TO “PRE-ALERT” A PACKAGE?
The “pre-alert” tool was created to automatically validate your purchase information, before your merchandise arrives at our facilities in Miami. This allows us to make the clearance process more efficient without generating delays to your shipment.
“Pre-alerting” a package is to upload the purchase invoice, once the supplier ships the purchase to our facilities in Miami. You can do this through our APP and/or web user, by logging in to our website www.mbe-ca.com
WHAT IS ACTUAL WEIGHT AND VOLUMETRIC WEIGHT?
The actual weight is determined by weighing the package on a scale. While the volumetric weight, is the calculation of the volume of the shipment, based on its dimensions.
To calculate the volumetric weight of a box, measurements are taken in inches and the following formula is applied: length X width X height / 139 – Volumetric Weight in pounds.
At Mail Boxes Etc. WE DO NOT CHARGE VOLUMETRIC WEIGHT for our online shopping service.
WHEN IS A PACKAGE TAXABLE?
Panama’s customs law states that packages with a value over $100 CIF, must pay import taxes. According to the description of the goods, our customs broker will classify the shipment, based on Panama’s import tariff.
WHAT IS THE “SHIPPING ADDRESS”?
It is the address that must be given at the time of making an online purchase, which consists of your first and last name, account number and the data of our warehouse in the U.S. It is important to type the full address.
For example:
Name and Last name of customer
2250 NW 114th Ave
Unit 1P PTY XXX (account number)
Miami, FL 33192-4177
Telephone: (305) 280-5046
WHAT IS A “BILLING ADDRESS”?
It is the address where you receive the credit card statements with which you are making the online purchase.
WHAT SHOULD I DO IF I MAKE A MISTAKE IN MY SHIPPING ADDRESS?
Contact the store where you made the purchase, as soon as possible, and ask them to change the address.
HOW CAN I CHECK THE STATUS OF MY PACKAGE?
You will be able to check the status of your package from the moment it is admitted to our warehouse in Miami until it arrives in your selected MBE office, through our APP (available for iOS and Android) and/or web user, by logging in from our website www.mbe-ca.com, or by calling the MBE® center where you are registered.
WHAT SHIPPING TYPE SHOULD I USE TO RECEIVE MY PACKAGE IN MIAMI?
Domestic shipping, within the US, is wide and diverse. Both in transit time, as well as in features and costs. The importance of this will depend on the value of the product, the safety and urgency it requires to be delivered.
For products purchases, we recommend using the physical address and private courier companies, such as: FedEx, UPS, DHL, among others, which offer options of 2 to 5 days of delivery, with total competitive tracking and acknowledgement of receipt at rates.
CAN I SHOP ON ANY WEBSITE?
Yes, just try to use secure connection sites.
To check the security of a site, go to the upper left corner of the web address, look for the security status:
*Secure
*Information or Not Secure
*Not Secure or Dangerous
CAN I USE THE ONLINE SHOPPING SERVICE TO IMPORT WHOLESALE GOODS?
The online shopping service must be used to bring personal items. If you require this service for commercial purposes, you will need to contact an MBE office to get assistance from an executive, who will offer you a suitable import plan for your business needs.
WHAT ITEMS OR PRODUCTS ARE RESTRICTED BY CUSTOMS?
For items that are not allowed to be transported by air, you can access our *Restricted Goods* list.
For more details contact the MBE® office of your choice.
WHAT CAN I SHIP USING MY P.O BOX IN MIAMI?
Anything that is legally permitted to import into the country and is not classified as prohibited goods. For more information: *See the list*
CAN I CHANGE THE MBE OFFICE AND KEEP MY ADDRESS?
Yes! To request the change, you will only need to complete the relocation form at the MBE® office, keeping your current account number and address.
CAN THE SERVICES I USE BE BILLED IN ANOTHER MBE CENTER?
Consumptions made at another MBE centre cannot be charged to your current account.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I PURCHASE A RESTRICTED ITEM BY MISTAKE?
If you purchase a prohibited item, it will be received at our facilities in Miami. However, it cannot be exported. At MBE we offer the following options:
- If you have a relative or friend in the United States, they can pick it up directly from our warehouse or we can make a domestic shipment to deliver the goods to them. This will have an additional cost.
- Contact the supplier and notify them that you will not be able to receive the item. The supplier may pick up the package in our warehouse or provide a shipping address to get the package back and make a refund of the item. This service will have an additional cost.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I FORGET TO PROVIDE THE PTY NUMBER AT THE MOMENT OF THE PURCHASE?
The package will be held in our warehouse in Miami. Contact your MBE office to update the package information. It will be stored for a maximum of 45 days from the date of arrival, after this time, it cannot be claimed.
HOW LONG WILL MY PACKAGE TAKE TO ARRIVE?
Once we receive the goods in our warehouse in Miami, the transit time is 24 to 72 hours (as long as the package arrives properly identified with all the required information).
WHAT HAPPENS IF MY PACKAGE DOESN’T HAVE A TRACKING NUMBER?
If the service you requested does not provide a tracking number and you want to verify the status of the package, send the following information to your MBE® office:
- PTY NUMBER
- INVOICE OR PURCHASE ORDER
- NAME OF CUSTOMER
- INFORMATION OF THE SUPPLIER OR STORE
- DATE OF TRANSACTION.
With that info we will be able to find your package in any of our warehouses and give you an update on it.
DO I NEED A P.O BOX IN MIAMI TO BE ABLE TO USE OTHER MBE SERVICES?
No. Only if you want to bring correspondence or make online purchases, it will be necessary to have a P.O box account. For shipping, printing, maritime cargo, graphic design, among others, you don’t need to have a P.O box in Miami.
ARE MY PURCHASES SAFE WITH MBE?
Yes! We provide shipping insurance. For more information please contact an MBE center.
WHAT ITEMS NEED A SPECIAL SHIPPING PROCESS?
Common items that require additional processing include: cosmetics (makeup, shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, perfumes, among others). Medications: food supplements, food items, wood, paints, among others.
For further information please contact an MBE office.
HOW CAN I USE YOUR OCEAN FREIGHT SERVICE?
We have another warehouse in Miami which offers the ocean freight service. For more information, please contact an MBE Center.
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