About us

Ship to Shore was originally set up in 1994 to cater for long term cruising yachtsmen in need of a UK postal address. It now caters for a wider range of traveller - from those living on narrow boats to those who need to be on the move either through business or pleasure.

Ship to Shore becomes your UK base and will collect, store and forward your mail anywhere in the UK or overseas. We offer a professional and friendly service at low cost and the positive feedback we have had over the years has helped us to grow and improve our unique service.

How does it work?

Once you have completed our registration form and paid the initial deposit, you can start having your mail redirected to the Ship to Shore address. To do this, you can either complete a Royal Mail redirection form or you can inform your banks, building societies, utility providers, family and friends directly of your new Ship to Shore address.

Whenever you want your mail, you can contact us via phone, fax, email or SMS text and leave your name and details of your mailing address, and your mail will be despatched there within 24/48 hours. Within the UK mail is sent first class post, and overseas it is sent ordinary airmail. If you require a courier service, that can be arranged; alternatively we can use recorded mail. You just need to specify your requirements.

If you are on a set cruise plan, (the Blue Water Rally, for example), we can forward mail to arrive when you do.

Each shipment is numbered and includes a statement showing the number of items sent, items filtered and a running total of funds in the account up to the last mailing. Each envelope is also sealed with our very distinctive tape.

What does it cost?

Annual Fees.

There is an annual registration fee of £125 per application. This will include up to two adults and two children under the age of 12. If there are more than four adults aboard or in the group, the fee becomes £200. We also request a deposit of £50 against which charges for handling, postage and packaging are deducted.

Mail handling.

There is a charge of 25p for every item handled, including junk mail. There is an additional charge of £1 for small packets, which have to be opened for customs purposes. For more complex filtering or redirection, a charge of 35p per item is applied. This entails opening each item of mail, filtering and discarding the envelopes.. In this way we hope to maintain low costs for those clients who have the simple need of forwarding a few letters a month, as opposed to the more complex requirements of those who need larger volumes of mails to be more rigorously filtered. Obvious junk mail can be discarded at no extra cost.

For those opting to have their mail opened and filtered, the specific requirements will be discussed and put into place once registration is complete.Ý For instance, frequency of opening and sending mail or advising what mail is being held.Ý A small charge is applied for a mail search or a listing of mail held.

Download our filtering form

For those in faraway destinations, we can also open all mail and photocopy important documents before despatching in case mail goes astray. Charges will apply.

Postage and Packaging.

In addition to the above charges, you will also incur the cost of your own postage and packaging expenses. Currently, mail is charged according to not only weight but also size of the envelope. Postal rates are always on the increase and therefore you can regulate what you spend on your mail; those wanting a weekly package to Australia are bound to spend more than those receiving mail once a month in the Mediterranean.

Ship to Shore accepts payment by cheque, bank transfer or standing order. We do not offer credit card payment facilities. When your funds are running low, we will send you a reminder to top up your account. If you are on the move for long periods of time, it is advisable to arrange for a standing order payment to be made monthly or quarterly to cover the handling, postage and packaging costs. Late payment charges are applied if the account is in debit for more than a month.

A statement of account will also be issued once or twice a year showing all transactions and payments made.

Fee structure

Fee structure as of 1st February 2008


Description Registration fee Handling charge Additional services
Primary account holder(s) + 2 children (under 12) on boat and/or account £125 per annum    
Primary account holder(s) + 2 adults on boat and/or account £200 per annum    
Forwarding of unopened mail to primary account holder(s) and filtering of obvious junk mail*   25p per item of mail  
Sorting and forwarding unopened mail to primary account holder(s) as well as to the other nominees on the account with different addresses to primary account holder(s). Junk mail filtered*   30p per item of mail  
Opening all mail, filtering* and discarding envelopes   35p per item of mail  
Confirming despatch of mail or responding to emails by request     £1 per email
Photocopying mail before despatching     20p per item
Paying in cheques     £3.50
Mail search     25p per item of mail handled
Mail listing     £5.00
Sending and preparing faxes     £1.50 per sheet
Scanning     30p per item
Arranging for courier service     £3.50
Miscellaneous requests     £3.50 minimum charge plus expenses or pro rata of £20 per hour

*Filtered mail is held for one month

Contact us

Ship to shore, P.O. BOX 400
Winchester
SO22 4RU
UK

Answerphone and Fax +44 (0) 1962 868 642
E-mail: admin@shiptoshore.co.uk