Postal mail/packages to Russia

[kryten41]

Here's the link to the USPS site that gives you the correct information about sending international mail, including the requirement that the city, province, and country be included in English:

http://www.usps.com/international/intlresourcecenter.htm

[phantom]

Thanks for the replies to this one.  Putting it in Cryllic was easy, with the site and cut and paste.  The other blunder, was accidently putting 5/10, instead of 5/1.  I hope that package hasn't left yet.  I've printed the correct label in cyrllic and the right number, even made up some extra mailing labels for letters.  Thanks for the site link.  Now, I just hope that I can retrieve that package. 

[Faux Pas]

It's absolutely NOT true that letters and packages mailed from the USA must be addressed in English. They can
(and IMO, should be) addressed in the native language to where the item is being shipped, with the
destination country clearly printed in English at the bottom of the entire address.

It is entirely possible I was advised wrong but, it was by the desk clerk at the PO. She advised when the address is anything other than english to state the destination country in capital letters on the top line. I did exactly that using the global express and have never had a problem. Delivery in 2 weeks or less. FWIW

[phantom]

Thanks for letting me know, Faux Pas.  I just hope I can retrieve that package.

[ConnerVT]

It is entirely possible I was advised wrong but, it was by the desk clerk at the PO. She advised when the address is anything other than english to state the destination country in capital letters on the top line.

But, of course, that is completely opposite of what was contained in the link from usps.com that kryten41 posted.

[Faux Pas]

But, of course, that is completely opposite of what was contained in the link from usps.com that kryten41 posted.

You've a firm grasp on the obvious there Conner 

[ConnerVT]

I know.  It's a gift.  

So what we have is not unlike calling the USCIS Help Line.  Ask the same question five times, get five completely different answers from five different government employees. ultimately, the answer lies in "The Book", or what is more likely a collection of Manuals, Notices, and Publications, many which possibly contradict each other.  And since it isn't a common occurrence for your local Post Office to get many letters addressed in foreign languages and alphabets, the person taking your mail at the counter wouldn't likely know the definitive answer, either.

As I'm not planning for a career at USPS, I'll skip reading through most of the documents. They are all available on the usps.com web site, but a quick look at the IMM and DMM (International and Domestic Mail manuals, respectively) still doesn't produce a statement that addresses must be in English.

If someone has the time to ferret it out, please post the link for the rest of us.

edit:  I guess I have potential to go postal... er... be a Postal Worker.

Source: From IMM 36 - 122.1  Addressing
http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/immc1_007.htm

Addresses in Russian, Greek, Arabic, Hebrew, Cyrillic, Japanese, or Chinese characters must bear an interline translation in English of the names of the post office and country of destination. If the English translation is not known, the foreign language words must be spelled in roman characters (print or script).

I have always just put the translation of RUSSIA on my packages, as they always include a city code (and I believe all mail from the USA first heads to Moscow anyway, typically catching a ride on Delta's DL30 flight).  But I suppose to follow the letter of the regulations, one should put both the city and the country in English.  This may be necessary for sending items to countries that have more than one entry city for international mail.

[phantom]

I called the number for usps, trying to retrieve that package, since it was misaddressed and it all ready left the us.

[Faux Pas]

I know.  It's a gift.  

So what we have is not unlike calling the USCIS Help Line.  Ask the same question five times, get five completely different answers from five different government employees. ultimately, the answer lies in "The Book", or what is more likely a collection of Manuals, Notices, and Publications, many which possibly contradict each other.  And since it isn't a common occurrence for your local Post Office to get many letters addressed in foreign languages and alphabets, the person taking your mail at the counter wouldn't likely know the definitive answer, either.

Before I sent my first package, I researched. looked, researched and looked some more. I never did find anything consistent. Not that I was surprised as I have for many years been a bulk mailer with the PO and most of them that I had to deal with, knew less than I on the Domestic Mail Manual. It was like the bible with much left open for interpretation. I didn't have the time or inclination to study the IMM so I did look for shortcuts.

The desk clerk was one I had known for years and trusted (but only to a degree). I followed her advice but I also addressed the packages in both Cyrillic on one side and English on the other. I was surprised at how fast they all arrived though. Seemed to be some kind of record from some of the threads that I read here on RWD. All within two weeks. I was told by the same desk clerk to insure the packages so they could be traced even abroad. I took someone's advice on the forum and under insured them. Keeping the wrapping simple and the insured amount low. Never had a problem in 3 tries so far.

[ConnerVT]

I also addressed the packages in both Cyrillic on one side and English on the other.

The danger I see with this method is, with an initial glance, a package may look as it is missing both proper postage and required Customs form.  (If looked at from the 'back')

It is good that you have had success.  Here, I'm over 6 years and dozens of packages/letters, and have never lost a thing (knock on wood!).  Travel time from vermont to Tver, Russia, for USPS First Class and Priority Mail has been about the same - 10 days for letters, 15-20 days for larger packages.  Only on one or two occasions has it been longer, and typically can be explained by a long Russian holiday.

[MatryoshkaMan]

So far I have sent 5 items to my #1. 2 were large envelopes and 3 were regular envelopes with photos inside.

The July 2nd envelope with an 2010 olympic teddy bear arrived on the 16th, so just about 2 weeks. She has not recieved the other 4 items yet but she did write me yesterday that the address I used was not complete...I gently pointed out that I used exactly the address she sent me...copied and pasted into MS Word and then printed out on laser printer.

So I hope the other 4 items will make it OK despite her giving me an imcomplete address.

I have created a quick log book in MS Excel so I can record what I sent, when I sent and what day she recieves. I am interested in knowing what my batting average will be.

I will report back later to let you know what is my success rate.

[Sculpto]

My package with baby clothes took a little over two weeks to arrive in Tomsk via US mail.

[bendette21]

You can address it in either Russian, or English as Doll suggests.  But it seems to me it is better to address it in the language that the post office workers who will be delivering the letter would most understand.

After all, if I sent a letter from Russia to the USA, addressed in Russian, do you think your USPS mail carrier would be able to read it?  Most of the ones I've had (very nice people, by the way), have a hard enough time reading my sister-in-law's English handwriting.

In six years, I have never had a letter/package lost (50+ sent) by addressing it in Russian cyrillic, as Russians would address their letters:

Postal Code      City
Street name and number
Last name  First name  Patronymic (middle) name
Russia (written in English, for proper routing in the US)

My return address is written entirely in English, as it would be dilivered by USPS if it was returned.

The same thing for packages sent to Russia.  The only difference is that the Customs form need to be filled out entirely in English.

Definitely, it is better to use the language that the post office workers who will be delivering the letter would be most understand. Unless, the person who will receive the letter will understand the English language. As we observed that in the letter, there is always the postal code, to know which country will deliver the letter or package.