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Over the years, we’ve found that many international physicians who visit the United States for conferences or other short professional activities will take the opportunity to purchase a new Dermlite dermatoscope while they’re here.
However, when your visit lasts only a few days, having a package shipped within such a narrow window can be risky. As described in "Tips for Purchasing a Dermatoscope While Traveling," the safest approach is to arrange for your dermatoscope (or accessories) to arrive shortly before you do, ensuring that you've received your order before returning home.
That ideal timing, however, can make choosing the right delivery location more complicated. While many hotels will accept packages for guests, they typically do so only during the exact dates of your stay. Packages which arrive before you check in—or after you’ve left—may be refused, misplaced, or returned to the sender.
If you have a friend or colleague who lives near your conference location, asking them to receive the package for you could be the simplest solution. But if you aren't lucky enough to have a friend who lives near your destination—and you’d prefer to avoid the risk of a package arriving at your hotel when you’re not there—what other options are available?
Fortunately, the U.S. has a well-established (but often unfamiliar) solution: shipping packages to professional "mailbox and shipping centers" that hold packages for pickup. In this article, we’re going to explain that concept and consider how to choose the best option for your situation.
The Core Concept: Shipping to a "Mailbox" or "Shipping Center"
Many business travelers have packages shipped directly to what are called “mailbox" or "shipping centers," where the package is:
- Delivered to a staffed location
- Held securely for pickup
- Released only when the package recipient arrives to claim it (using a photo ID)
IMPORTANT: “Hold for Pickup” (the term most often used to describe this) is a paid service. The two main factors influencing the cost are generally:
- the size/weight of the package
- the number of days the package is held before pickup
We recommend confirming these details with any given shipping/mailbox center before arranging this service.
Nationwide Options Common in Major U.S. Cities
Below are the most common chains that international travelers are likely to encounter in major U.S. cities. As described above, availability and policies can vary by location, which is why confirming details with the specific store is important.
FedEx Office
(formerly known as Kinko’s)
FedEx Office locations are widespread and commonly found near hotels, convention centers, and downtown areas.
- Many locations accept and hold incoming packages
- Staff are accustomed to travelers and business pickups
- Passport is typically sufficient for pickup
Learn more:
https://www.fedex.com/en-us/shipping/hold-at-location.html
The UPS Store
The UPS Store is a nationwide network of professionally staffed shipping and mailbox centers. These locations are commonly found in downtown areas, near hotels, and around conference venues.
What to expect:
- Many UPS Store locations will accept and hold packages for pickup
- Staff are accustomed to business travelers and high-value items
- A passport is typically sufficient for pickup
- Some locations may charge a small holding or pickup fee
Because policies can vary by franchise, we recommend contacting the specific UPS Store location in advance to confirm details.
Learn more:
https://www.theupsstore.com/
UPS Access Point
UPS Access Point is another “hold for pickup” option offered by UPS. Instead of delivering your package to a dedicated shipping store, UPS delivers it to an approved local business—such as a convenience store, pharmacy, or small retail shop—that partners with UPS to receive and hold packages.
How UPS Access Point works
- Your package is shipped via UPS and routed to a nearby Access Point location
- The location receives and securely holds the package
- You pick it up in person with photo ID (a passport is usually acceptable)
From a functional standpoint, UPS Access Point is also a package receiving/hold-for-pickup service, just like a UPS Store—but with some important differences.
Important considerations
- Hold times are limited (often around 5–7 days)
- Size and declared value restrictions may apply
- Locations are typically small retail businesses, not shipping-focused centers
- Hours may be more limited than UPS Store locations
When UPS Access Point makes sense
- The Access Point location is extremely close to where you’re staying
- The item is modest in size and value
- Your pickup timing is very predictable
Learn more about UPS Access Point:
https://www.ups.com/accesspoint
Pak Mail
Pak Mail is a professional packing, shipping, and mailbox service with locations in many metropolitan areas.
- Often flexible with short-term package holding
- Familiar with business and international customers
- Fees and policies vary by location
Learn more:
https://www.pakmail.com/
Our Recommended Approach
Rather than starting with a specific “Hold for Pickup” company in mind, start with your physical location.
Step 1: Identify Where You’ll Be During Your Trip
Find your conference/hotel location on Google Maps. Zoom in just close enough so that you can visualize which businesses are within a few kilometers of your location.
Step 2: Use “Search This Area”
As you view the area immediately surrounding your conference/hotel, use the “Search this area” feature and try search terms such as:
- “shipping store”
- “mailbox store”
- “UPS Store”
- “FedEx Office”
This helps you identify which "mailbox" or "shipping centers" are in close proximity to where you’ll be staying.
Step 3: Contact the Facility Directly
Before shipping anything:
- Call or email the location
- Confirm they offer "hold for pickup" services
- Ask about:
- ID requirements (passport is usually fine)
- Fees
- Any other important rules/requirements
Final Thoughts
“Hold for Pickup” may be an unfamiliar concept to those who don’t live in the US, but it’s a common, trusted, and widely used solution for travelers.
Finally, please visit our other article for international visitors here, where we discuss the importance of ordering before you arrive to the US.