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redleg627

Shipping Household from Russia

By redleg627 in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus

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redleg627 Contributor

redleg627   15

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Russia
 Timeline
Posted

Hello VJ'ers,

I'm new to the community so hopefully this topic is in the right place. So.. on to my question.

My google searches have not been very positive, but I am looking for information about shipping a small amount of household goods from Russia to Portland Oregon. We are guessing about 3 to 4 meters cube of stuff. Some things we can bring in suit cases, but not all. I'm just trying to get a better understanding here of cost vs. how valuable these items are.

Any experiances or information would be helpful.

Thanks

Visa Received: 2015-03-02 (K1 - See timeline for details)
US Entry: 2015-04-09
POE: Portland, OR
Marriage: 2015-06-20
I-485/I-756 Sent: 2015-06-30
EAD Card Received: 2015-10-02    
I-485 Approval: 2016-01-13
Greencard Received: 2016-01-23

I-751 Filed ROC: 2017-10-18

I-751 Received NOA1 18mo. Extension: 2018-10-16

N-400 Filed Online: 2018-11-25

I-751 Interview/Approval: 2019-05-22

N-400 Interview/Approval: 2019-05-22

Citizenship Oath: 2019-09-21

 

TBoneTX Grand Master

TBoneTX   45,498

Posted
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
 Timeline
Posted

*** Thread moved from the "Moving to the US & Your New Life" forum (a logical selection) to the Russia/Ukraine/Belarus regional forum, where country-specific advice might be forthcoming. ***

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

mendeleev Proficient

mendeleev   68

Posted
Filed: K-3 Visa Country: Russia
 Timeline
Posted

Has anyone here used MEEST?

We haven't, but know this company is out there.

5-15-2002 Met, by chance, while I traveled on business

3-15-2005 I-129F
9-18-2005 Visa in hand
11-23-2005 She arrives in USA
1-18-2006 She returns to Russia, engaged but not married

11-10-2006 We got married!

2-12-2007 I-130 sent by Express mail to NSC
2-26-2007 I-129F sent by Express mail to Chicago lock box
6-25-2007 Both NOA2s in hand; notice date 6-15-2007
9-17-2007 K3 visa in hand
11-12-2007 POE Atlanta

8-14-2008 AOS packet sent
9-13-2008 biometrics
1-30-2009 AOS interview
2-12-2009 10-yr Green Card arrives in mail

2-11-2014 US Citizenship ceremony

mendeleev Proficient

mendeleev   68

Posted
Filed: K-3 Visa Country: Russia
 Timeline
Posted

I should have searched on MEEST here. It looks like a few folks here have used them and in those threads you can find some information. They have a US presence in Elizabeth, NJ. I glanced at their website, which is in Russian, and didn't notice if there was an English version. Good luck.

5-15-2002 Met, by chance, while I traveled on business

3-15-2005 I-129F
9-18-2005 Visa in hand
11-23-2005 She arrives in USA
1-18-2006 She returns to Russia, engaged but not married

11-10-2006 We got married!

2-12-2007 I-130 sent by Express mail to NSC
2-26-2007 I-129F sent by Express mail to Chicago lock box
6-25-2007 Both NOA2s in hand; notice date 6-15-2007
9-17-2007 K3 visa in hand
11-12-2007 POE Atlanta

8-14-2008 AOS packet sent
9-13-2008 biometrics
1-30-2009 AOS interview
2-12-2009 10-yr Green Card arrives in mail

2-11-2014 US Citizenship ceremony

vbtwo Rising Star

vbtwo   54

Posted
Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Ukraine
 Timeline
Posted

I've used Meest only to ship stuff to Ukraine, but they were great. Stuff gets there in a week and they bring it to the house (which is a pretty foreign concept in Ukraine as you have to go to the post office to pick up packages usually). I don't know how good they are in Russia.

1/4/13 - I129-F Sent | 1/8/13 - Received by USCIS
1/10/13 - NOA1 to VSC | 1/11/13 - Text/Email | 1/17/13 - Hard Copy Received
1/16/13 - Alien Registration Number changed
5/24/13 or 5/29/13 - Case Transferred to TSC
7/2/13 - NOA2 from TSC! (173 days from NOA1) | 7/6/13 - Hard Copy Received
7/18/13 - Shipped to NVC | 7/26/13 - Received at NVC and case number assigned
7/29/13 - In transit to consulate | 7/31/13 - Received by consulate
8/20/13 - Medical - Passed | 8/21/13 - Interview - Approved!
8/28/13 - Passport with visa ready to pickup from courier
10/17/13 - POE - JFK
10/28/13 - Applied for SSN and marriage license | 11/2/13 - SS card received
11/21/13 - Wedding


12/30/13 - I485/I765/I131 Sent | 1/2/14 - Received by USCIS
1/3/14 - NOA1 to NBC | 1/16/14 - Hard Copy Received
2/4/14 - Biometrics
3/7/14 - AP and EAD approved!
3/11/14 - AP/EAD card mailed | 3/14/14 - Received
4/10/14 - Interview Waiver letter
6/16/14 - Approved! | 6/21/14 - GC Received


5/2/16 - I-751 Sent | 5/5/16 - Received by USCIS
5/6/16 - NOA1 to VSC
6/14/16 - Biometrics

4/19/17 - Approved! | 4/22/17 - Letter received | 5/4/17 - GC Received

Al422 Experienced

Al422   221

Posted
Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Philippines
 Timeline
Posted

Many items are not worth the shipping costs, especially if your US fiance already has those items there waiting for you. Better to sell them for whatever you can get or give them away to family members.

Electric devices are for the most part useless in the US because electricity is different. The big exception is portable electronic devices, which for the most part can operate on any voltage.

I suggest bringing as much of your useable clothing as you can carry, and get a 90 day supply of your medications before you leave. 90 days is the maximum you are allowed, and the cost in Russia is pennies compared to US prices.

redleg627 Contributor

redleg627   15

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Russia
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

All good information. I will check out MEEST. For the folks at used this service do they or can they provide boxes or packing services on the non-America side?

Yes we plan to sell or give away things that can easily be replaced in America, however she still has some "heirlooms" she wants to bring across. Anything with a electrical cord is not coming over. I would guess between her and son they have about 3 meters cube of stuff. I plan to go get them in Moscow and I will bring two empty suit cases for them to use along with the two they have each. Hopefully not a lot to bring.

Visa Received: 2015-03-02 (K1 - See timeline for details)
US Entry: 2015-04-09
POE: Portland, OR
Marriage: 2015-06-20
I-485/I-756 Sent: 2015-06-30
EAD Card Received: 2015-10-02    
I-485 Approval: 2016-01-13
Greencard Received: 2016-01-23

I-751 Filed ROC: 2017-10-18

I-751 Received NOA1 18mo. Extension: 2018-10-16

N-400 Filed Online: 2018-11-25

I-751 Interview/Approval: 2019-05-22

N-400 Interview/Approval: 2019-05-22

Citizenship Oath: 2019-09-21

 

  • 4 months later...
naire37 Explorer

naire37   53

Posted
Filed: AOS (pnd) Country: Russia
 Timeline
Posted

Hi redleg627!

Could you please let me know if you've found a decent shipping company that did not give you much trouble? My fiance will face the same problem eventually, so I wanted to see what your experience was! Pray tell if you ended up using non-national shipping service!

K1 to POE
01.14.2015 - met online in an RPG chatroom
02.27.2015 - met in person
04.20.2015 - I-129F mailed
04.21.2015 - I-129F received by the Lockbox as per USPS site
04.24.2015 - NOA-1 electronic copy received: both SMS (text) and e-mail
04.30.2015 - NOA-1 paper version received
06.01.2015 - NOA-2 e-mail. SQUEE! =)
06.05.2015 - NOA-2 paper version.
06.12.2015 - NVC Received, Case # Assigned (not yet visible on CEAC)
06.17.2015 - NVC processing completed, now visible on CEAC with status "Ready"
06.24.2015 - CEAC status "Administrative Processing" (for Russia: received by the Embassy, can schedule the interview).
06.26.2015 - Crossed the t's and dotted the i's, this time for real. Scheduled the interview!
07.20.2015 - Medical. Piece of cake!
07.22.2015 - Interview. 2 hours worth of waiting and 5 minutes worth of talking to the consul, "your visa is approved". Yaaay!
10.09.2015 - POE in Boston, MA. Hooray!! Welcome, my love.

POE to Green Card:
10.09.2015 - POE in Boston, MA
10.14.2015 - applied for SSN; got it a couple days later in the mail
10.31.2015 - Wedding :halloween:
11.21.2015 - Filed AOS (package including Travel Parole & Employment)
11.25.2015 - electronic NOA-1(s), 11.27.2015 - Check cashed
11.30.2015 - NOA-1s

12.18.2015 - RFE (forgot to write my name in one place on the Affidavit of Support)

12.21.2015 - Biometrics

12.23.2015 - RFE Response received by USCIS

02.10.2016 - EAD/AP approved!

02.10.2016 - EAD/AP received!

05.12.2016 - Interview scheduled for 06.15.2016 (wow, that really took 6 months from filing...)

06.15.2016 - Interview. Approved! (but not at the interview, got notification about 4 hours later)

06.30.2016 - Green Card Received!

redleg627 Contributor

redleg627   15

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Russia
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

hello,

I was unable to find a shipping company for household goods. What we did was pay for an extra checked bag on our return flight to America. We flew KLM/Delta. Basic ticket allows one free check and one carryon and one personal item. When I went to get her and son I packed my clothes in a small back pack, and checked in a empty suit case.

So i paid for 3 extra checked bags. Total we had 6 suit cases, 3 backpacks, 3 carry-on small suit cases. I told her to make choices on what she wanted to bring to America for now and leave the remaining with her mom. We plan to return next summer once she has green card.

each checked bag can weigh 50lbs and carry on 12lbs to 20lbs. I brought a portable scale with me to Russia so we wouldn't go over.

The cool thing is with KLM you can pre-pay before flight online for extra baggage at $51 per bag. Overall it wasnt to bad of a experiance.

Good luck

Visa Received: 2015-03-02 (K1 - See timeline for details)
US Entry: 2015-04-09
POE: Portland, OR
Marriage: 2015-06-20
I-485/I-756 Sent: 2015-06-30
EAD Card Received: 2015-10-02    
I-485 Approval: 2016-01-13
Greencard Received: 2016-01-23

I-751 Filed ROC: 2017-10-18

I-751 Received NOA1 18mo. Extension: 2018-10-16

N-400 Filed Online: 2018-11-25

I-751 Interview/Approval: 2019-05-22

N-400 Interview/Approval: 2019-05-22

Citizenship Oath: 2019-09-21

 

  • 2 weeks later...
av8or1 Rising Star

av8or1   246

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Russia
 Timeline
Posted

hello,

I was unable to find a shipping company for household goods. What we did was pay for an extra checked bag on our return flight to America. We flew KLM/Delta. Basic ticket allows one free check and one carryon and one personal item. When I went to get her and son I packed my clothes in a small back pack, and checked in a empty suit case.

So i paid for 3 extra checked bags. Total we had 6 suit cases, 3 backpacks, 3 carry-on small suit cases. I told her to make choices on what she wanted to bring to America for now and leave the remaining with her mom. We plan to return next summer once she has green card.

each checked bag can weigh 50lbs and carry on 12lbs to 20lbs. I brought a portable scale with me to Russia so we wouldn't go over.

The cool thing is with KLM you can pre-pay before flight online for extra baggage at $51 per bag. Overall it wasnt to bad of a experiance.

Good luck

So MEEST wouldn't ship household stuff? What DO they ship then?

9/8/14 - I129F petition sent to the USCIS lockbox via USPS
9/11/14 - Petition received @ USCIS lockbox
9/11/14 - NOA1 Email and text message received
9/15/14 - NOA1 Official notice date
9/18/14 - NOA1 hard copy received
12/9/14 - "Updated" likely because of website repairs, like many of us received
4/20/15 - NOA2 text and email (221 days)

4/29/15 - Sent to the NVC (9 days)

5/8/15 - Arrived at the NVC (9 days)

5/13/15 - Left the NVC (5 days)

5/15/15 - Electronic version arrived at the embassy (2 days)

5/20/15 - Paper copy arrived at the embassy (7 days)

6/4/15 - Status changed to AP (which meant that we could schedule the interview)

6/16/15 - Medical

6/17/15 - K1 APPROVED!!!!

6/30/15 - Passport and sealed envelope delivered via courier

redleg627 Contributor

redleg627   15

Posted
Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Russia
 Timeline
  • Author
Posted

MEEST wouldnt ship from Russia to America.

Visa Received: 2015-03-02 (K1 - See timeline for details)
US Entry: 2015-04-09
POE: Portland, OR
Marriage: 2015-06-20
I-485/I-756 Sent: 2015-06-30
EAD Card Received: 2015-10-02    
I-485 Approval: 2016-01-13
Greencard Received: 2016-01-23

I-751 Filed ROC: 2017-10-18

I-751 Received NOA1 18mo. Extension: 2018-10-16

N-400 Filed Online: 2018-11-25

I-751 Interview/Approval: 2019-05-22

N-400 Interview/Approval: 2019-05-22

Citizenship Oath: 2019-09-21

 

 
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