What is the most reliable way to forward mail?

Hello everyone:

I leave for London Friday afternoon.  Yeah me!  As such, I am working on a few last minute details.  One of which is to figure out what to do with my mail since I don't yet have a permanent address.  So trying to decide whether or not to get a mail box via UPS Store (formely Mail Box etc.), or just rely on the US post office.  So wondering, is the USPS pretty reliable with forwarding mail internationally?  Or would it mail sense to get a private mail box and then have mail forwarded once a month?  According to UPS Store, I can get a mail box for about $110 and then they require a deposit (about $50 to forward mail).  Would prefer not to take the hit, but will do that if other things it makes sense. 

Ursula

I don't think the USPS forwards internationally, only domestically.  I remember ask that to them, and they told me that they don't do it.

Getting a mailbox at the UPS Store may be your best yet, unless you have family/friends willing to forward your mail for you until you get a permanent addess in the UK.

bvamin

B is right.  USPS won't fwd internationaly.  My mom takes care of all my mail in the US.  If there's something important, she fwds it on but usually, she just takes care of it.

USPS say that they don't forward internationally...but, if you put an overseas address on the forwarding form, they will send the post.  I did this when I left Arizona for London and it worked just fine.  The guy behind the counter said that the Post Office in the UK might charge me - but they never did    This was in October 2003 and I was still getting forwarded junkmail in July 2004.

I was told in person at the post office that they would not forward mail internationally.  I notified my bank, credit cards, etc. of my new address in England directly, and had the post office forward the rest of my first class mail to my parents.  It's a good system, as my parents call me and tell me what mail I've got, and it's hardly ever anything that needs to be mailed to me overseas.