USPS - Aargh!!

[bobb 0]

I had sent three previous flat rate Priority Mail packages to Luba and each time they took from 2 weeks to 3 tops to arrive. In mid-May I sent her all the applications (completed and only needing her signature, except DS-156k), affidavit of support, documentation of a relationship, etc.

Her interview is June 23rd and she had not received the package shipped USPS by June 8 - a little over 3 weeks after I sent package. I could not take the chance the package would not arrive in time. I obtained a new notary on a duplicate I-134F and re-sent everything from my copy I had originally made. I also had to make a new copy for me. No DHL available from where I live so had to send UPS - $121. It is supposed to arrive June 15th. She has still not received the USPS package and it is now 4+ weeks.

The only difference in the most recent USPS shipment was to not use the Flat Rate envelope (around $13). I used the slightly larger glossy paper envelope ($27), with the more detailed customs form. The package was only 1 lbs 2 oz. Maybe I should have sent it Express instead of Priority by USPS.

Not a big deal - $121 extra + notary is an insignificant amount in the entire process from first meeting to this point.

[Neonred 3,460]

I had sent three previous flat rate Priority Mail packages to Luba and each time they took from 2 weeks to 3 tops to arrive. In mid-May I sent her all the applications (completed and only needing her signature, except DS-156k), affidavit of support, documentation of a relationship, etc.

Her interview is June 23rd and she had not received the package shipped USPS by June 8 - a little over 3 weeks after I sent package. I could not take the chance the package would not arrive in time. I obtained a new notary on a duplicate I-134F and re-sent everything from my copy I had originally made. I also had to make a new copy for me. No DHL available from where I live so had to send UPS - $121. It is supposed to arrive June 15th. She has still not received the USPS package and it is now 4+ weeks.

The only difference in the most recent USPS shipment was to not use the Flat Rate envelope (around $13). I used the slightly larger glossy paper envelope ($27), with the more detailed customs form. The package was only 1 lbs 2 oz. Maybe I should have sent it Express instead of Priority by USPS.

Not a big deal - $121 extra + notary is an insignificant amount in the entire process from first meeting to this point.

The problem is not with USPS (you can probably track it until it gets to Russia) but with the Russian post. I've sent several boxes of clothes, etc lately via USPS and it's generally 2 weeks. And the price was not too bad, about $70 for a box that was at least 3x larger than the largest Flate Rate box USPS offers.

[sivad 0]

yes 2 to 3 weeks is the norm for usps,and 60-70 is what i pay as well.

[AKguy 1]

yes 2 to 3 weeks is the norm for usps,and 60-70 is what i pay as well.

Ditto here, or is that tritto... Last box was 49 bucks and it took 1 day shy of 3 weeks to get there.

[baron555 934]

I always use FedEx. Expensive but only takes about 3-5 days (depending on which service I choose) and has online tracking.

In the grand scheme a minor bump in cost.

Edited June 15, 2009 by baron555

[Steve S 2]

I have found that USPS to Chelyabinsk oblast takes about a month. Once, a package took TWO months to get from there back to U.S. Irina tried to send the signed G-325A and supporting documents for I-129F application with express airmail specified and the envelope still took over one month. In the meantime, we gave up and she sent another copy by PonyExpress/UPS -- I had it on my doorstep 3 or 4 days later. I have found no such way to send anything there quickly. FedEx, DHL, and UPS either say they don't deliver to her town or else quote a delivery time of 2 weeks or longer. It seems like they could partner with Pony Express in the reverse direction but apparently that does not happen.

Thank god for the internet, cellphones and text messaging - bringing worlds closer!

[slim 1,514]

She will probably get both packets on the same day. The first packet you sent is probably sitting in the post office right now and when the second arrives, they'll say, "well, I guess this guy is serious, let's go ahead and take them to her."

Of the stuff we've sent, sometimes it takes two weeks, sometimes it takes two months. You never know. If you want to ensure it gets there on time, FedEx is the way to go.

If she doesn't get the stuff in time, you can always postpone the interview.

[Steve S 2]

you can always postpone the interview.

Noooo!!

That will not be an issue, I am going to hand deliver all the supporting documents for her interview when I see her next month. Guess I should start looking at that affidavit of financial support.

[chili74 0]

Bobb- what a pain! I hope it gets sorted out. Are you gonna send it by FedEx now? I like Slim's quote about the 2 pkgs at the post office and "this guy must be serious..." (very accurate image of what may happen!)

I second Steve S-

Thank god for the Internet, calling, texting ,etc.

Edited June 15, 2009 by chili74

[workin4somethin 0]

We almost always send large envelopes (important papers) to Russia via USPS' Global Express, and it seems they almost always arrive in about 7 days. You may want to check into this next time. Also, when shipping from Moscow to the U.S., we tend to use UPS - it's lower priced than when originating it here, and it takes only a few days to arrive.

[bobb 0]

UPS arrived today - on-time. Nothing yet from the USPS shipment. Sorry Slim, but your scenario is not possible unless UPS gives their packages to the local post office, which I doubt. I did a check at FedEx - same shipment would cost $2 more and they say it would arrive in 3 days with Fedex Int'l Economy, but they also note the destination is outside their primary pickup/delivery area. So it could take a week also. The FedEx site wouldn't let me use the 'letter' packaging, where UPS did. Don't know if that added to FedEx estimate or not.

I can see where using UPS to only Moscow is efficient. My UPS package was in Moscow two days after I sent it.

Now we have a Skype session for tomorrow evening after she has reviewed all I've sent. I'm sure there will be questions. It's hard to answer the questions before she has the information in front of her. Her good friend and English teacher will also be in the Skype conversation.

[slim 1,514]

I think I skipped an S in there somewhere as I thought you had sent another package via USPS.

Glad to hear the UPS (only one S!) got there on time. I almost sent stuff via UPS last time but once I saw the cost, I said, "ah, we'll just wait a little."

[chili74 0]

Bobb- I did not realize you sent it by UPS! Glad it worked out.

[bobb 0]

Luba sent me the private invitation for my visa last week by Global Express Mail. It took 6 days to arrive. It was about 3 weeks from the time Luba went to OVIR to fill out the paperwork for my private invitation until she received it.

After she finally saw everything I sent her she is now calm about her upcoming interview. She now knows she has everything she needs for the interview.