Mail to Russia

[wissooner 0]

OK, I have never sent anything to Russia before but now I have to send a box of documents to Elena for her interview next month. Whats the best way? UPS, DHL, FedEx? Also, do I use her Russian language address? English? Both? This is a pretty important package (obviously) so I need advice...

[dkrivosheyev 0]

OK, I have never sent anything to Russia before but now I have to send a box of documents to Elena for her interview next month. Whats the best way? UPS, DHL, FedEx? Also, do I use her Russian language address? English? Both? This is a pretty important package (obviously) so I need advice...

I always use USPS express mail. The price is very reasonable and it will get there in about 1 week. You do not need to write the address in Russian alphabet, English will be fine.

[Turboguy 6]

I always used DHL. For me the reason I would avoid the USPS is that in Russia it puts your mail in the hands of the Russian Postal Service which is not real reliable. UPS would be my second choice. Anything will probably get it there with some luck.

Be careful you don't list much of a value to it. They may be valuable documents to you and her but anything over $ 100.00 and she will have to pay half the value in Duty. It is easy, for example, when you send a plane ticket that cost you $ 1000.00 to list the value as $ 1000.00 and that can create big problems. It is really just paper and your documents are just paper.

Edited June 16, 2007 by Turboguy

[Satellite 1]

If originals are not absolutely required use USPS. Make a few copies and send it a few times if you really want to make sure it gets there. DHL, Fedex, and any other private carrier will charge you and arm and leg. USPS can deliver simple $0.84 envelopes with the help of the Russian mail service within 2 weeks or not at all has been my experience (about 70% success personally). With a regular letter there is usually no issue with customs. Speaking with one Russian postal service worker in 2004, she told me absolutely write the address in Russian characters, because many Russians outside of Moscow cannot read English.

[slim 1,514]

I've sent several packages and document folders via USPS global express mail.

I want to say my K-1 packet was about $16 and took around three weeks to get all the way to Vladivostok. (As stated above, that's with USPS delivering to Moscow, then Russian Post all the way across Siberia.) I don't remember exactly, but I think that was the ballpark.

Through the years I've learned the best way to assure the package/letter arrives is to write it like this:

RUSSIA/РОССИЯ

682640 (or whatever your sweety's postal code in Russia is)

Хабаровский Край (Name of Region/Krai/Oblast)

Амурск - Пушкинская ул 24 Д 95 Кв (City/Oblast/Metro stop if applicable, Street, House #, Apt. #)

Шарапове Марие Н (Your sweety's name.... (in the dative case! Don't worry about that!))

(07) 4214-238-436 (Your sweety's mobile or home phone number. Maybe most important!)

It doesn't have to be in Cyrillic, but I believe it really expedites the process. Also, sometimes foreign packages and mail must be picked up in person, and if you don't have the phone number on there, they won't get the notice for six months. It'll just sit at the post office until they "happen to stop by" raising hell wondering where their package from America is. If you put the phone number on it, the workers at the PO might call because they're tired of tripping over that "stupid American box." Keep in mind, you can write everything in Cyrillic because your customs declaration is going to have the sender and recipient's name and address in English already. As long as that big "RUSSIA" is at the top, USPS will send it to Russia.

[russ 1]

If originals are not absolutely required use USPS. Make a few copies and send it a few times if you really want to make sure it gets there. DHL, Fedex, and any other private

Totally agree with Sat here. Written in Cyrillic, I have had 100% success sending letters to Russia (more than 30). Average time about 11 days. Send a few copies USPS at least 3 weeks in advance and you will be fine. Don't post them on the same day.

If it gets within 9 days, send it DHL or Fedex. (I've had no problem with Fedex and I get a good discount, DHL is probably better though). You can instruct them to hold it at their office in Moscow if time is tight.

For documents, declare the value as $1. (You need to declare a value, that is what the paper is worth. Airline tickets have no value, and they can be re-issued if necessary.) Honestly though, buy the ticket in Russia, or get an E-ticket.

[edsperfect 25]

I have used USP_S exprerss mail and never had a problem

[bruc 0]

I've always used USPS Express Mail....never had a problem and my fiance told me that the packages are just as I sent them.

She told me that most of the time their packages are not opened until they get to their city and then it's opened in front of her either at the post office or when they deliver it to their apartment.

They usually receive their packages in 8 to 11 days....and it's expensive. An average package with with their "monthy stuffs" as they call them usually cost me $78.00.

I sent them some documents recently and it cost me $32.00 and they received them in 7 days.

I have no idea how they figure ..the documents were just a few pieces of paper, the package weighed over 30 lbs.

I receive things from them via Express Mail and I usually get it in 7 days. Amazing....

bruc

[rentvent 0]

I've sent several packages and document folders via USPS global express mail.

I want to say my K-1 packet was about $16 and took around three weeks to get all the way to Vladivostok. (As stated above, that's with USPS delivering to Moscow, then Russian Post all the way across Siberia.) I don't remember exactly, but I think that was the ballpark.

Through the years I've learned the best way to assure the package/letter arrives is to write it like this:

RUSSIA/РОССИЯ

682640 (or whatever your sweety's postal code in Russia is)

Хабаровский Край (Name of Region/Krai/Oblast)

Амурск - Пушкинская ул 24 Д 95 Кв (City/Oblast/Metro stop if applicable, Street, House #, Apt. #)

Шарапове Марие Н (Your sweety's name.... (in the dative case! Don't worry about that!))

(07) 4214-238-436 (Your sweety's mobile or home phone number. Maybe most important!)

It doesn't have to be in Cyrillic, but I believe it really expedites the process. Also, sometimes foreign packages and mail must be picked up in person, and if you don't have the phone number on there, they won't get the notice for six months. It'll just sit at the post office until they "happen to stop by" raising hell wondering where their package from America is. If you put the phone number on it, the workers at the PO might call because they're tired of tripping over that "stupid American box." Keep in mind, you can write everything in Cyrillic because your customs declaration is going to have the sender and recipient's name and address in English already. As long as that big "RUSSIA" is at the top, USPS will send it to Russia.

I pretty much used the above method and got 100% arrival of several packages that I have sent.

I use the format:

682640 РОССИЯ (ZIP, Russia)

г. Хабаровский (city)

24-95 Пушкинская ул (House, apt#, street)

Шарапове Марие Н (Your sweety's name.... (in the dative case! Don't worry about that!))

(07) 4214-238-436 (Your sweety's mobile or home phone number. Maybe most important!)

Russia 682640 (in big bold letters so the USPS computer sorting system will recognize that the parcel is going to Russia)

As far as I can tell, the only Original documents (that can't be reproduced) that you need to send are boarding passes. The I-134 can be re-created if lost. Make color copies of the boarding passes and send half (enough to prove one visit) in the first parcel along with the color copies of the remainder. After she gets the first package, send the remainder of the boarding passes in a second parcel.

[wissooner 0]

Thanks all!

[Thomas-n-Elena 0]

I used DHL after a fedex fiasco to send the documents to Elena but we have used USPS for gifts and other things back home. Just declare the value low so no duties.

[1HappyGuy 45]

If you are sending documents that she will need for the interview, I would use FedEx or DHL or UPS. Check to see which service she has in her town or region. You can use the USPS but they are not as reliable as the above because of the regional postal services.

I've used FedEx and USPS for documents and packages. I sent Christmas presents by both methods in early December 2005. The lighter FedEx package was there in a week. The heavier USPS was suppose to arrive before the Orthodox Christmas in January. They got the package in March.

[russ 1]

I used DHL after a fedex fiasco to send the documents to Elena but we have used USPS for gifts and other things back home. Just declare the value low so no duties.

All of the international delivery companies are less reliable in Russia. It isn't entirely within their control.

Sat's advice is the best, send many copies regular mail, on different days, well in advance. Write the address correctly, in cyrillic, name in the dative case, last name first in all capital letters. Block letters or Russian script are both fine.

Write "RUSSIA air mail/par aviion" at the bottom.

[Neonred 3,460]

Back when we were preparing the K-1 paperwork I sent two packets of documents using DHL. I had noticed deep in their web site they guaranteed shipping to Russia in 4 or 5 days. Both times my packages took the long route and were 7 to 9 days getting there. I called and complained and asked them about their guarantee. They did refund me the FULL amount on both shipments because they arrived late.

[slim 1,514]

Back when we were preparing the K-1 paperwork I sent two packets of documents using DHL. I had noticed deep in their web site they guaranteed shipping to Russia in 4 or 5 days. Both times my packages took the long route and were 7 to 9 days getting there. I called and complained and asked them about their guarantee. They did refund me the FULL amount on both shipments because they arrived late.

Free shipping to Russia!!!