USPS mail to Russia

[yarm]

I sent a package with USPS to Chbinsk over a month ago, and my girl still hasn't received it. It was a small package, one of those bubble wrap envelopes. How long does this kind of thing usually take in your experience? There was nothing valuable inside, just a book she wanted, a couple of DVDs I burnt for her with pictures and such on them and a printout of her itinerary for our upcoming trip.

[JR]

For me letters used to take six weeks. Anything I sent bigger than a two page letter never got to it's intended destination.

Don't hold your breath

[yarm]

Never never? 

[Doll]

You can track it. Where is it now?
I usually use express- it takes 8-9 days from here to the South of Russia. I always do the online tracking.

[dogspot]

I've sent 2 documents; both sent in those cardboard international envelopes they give you at the post office. One was sent to Ishim (Tyumen Oblast) and the other to Moscow. Both arrived in about 2 weeks (I think the one to Ishim took more like 3 weeks).

[Faux Pas]

I sent a package with USPS to Chbinsk over a month ago, and my girl still hasn't received it. It was a small package, one of those bubble wrap envelopes. How long does this kind of thing usually take in your experience? There was nothing valuable inside, just a book she wanted, a couple of DVDs I burnt for her with pictures and such on them and a printout of her itinerary for our upcoming trip.

Exactly HOW did you mail it? Regular, Express, Priority?

[Vaughn]

You can track it. Where is it now?
I usually use express- it takes 8-9 days from here to the South of Russia. I always do the online tracking.

Doll, can it be tracked beyond Moscow - or whatever point of entry? Somehow I'm thinking that once
it reaches an entry point in the FSU - tracking it further is impossible. Enlighten me please.

Vaughn

PS  -   FWIW, I've never lost a letter or a package, but I have lost several padded mailers and
manila envelopes over the years.

[JR]

Never never? 

never

Never

NEVER

NEVER

NEVER

NEVER

Airmail letters (the kind you write on the inside of the envelope then fold n mail took six weeks. Standard envelopes sent USPS took six weeks and were ALWAYS opened.

UPS and FedEx are the only way to go if you're sending anything bigger than a few pages.

[ConnerVT]

Here we go again...

I am not familiar with sending packages to Chbinsk, but very familiar with packages to Tver.  Every letter and package sent have arrived, intact.  This is a track record of over five years, with a package averaging between 4 and 30 lb sent approx every 10-12 weeks.

Virtually all have been sent by USPS Priority, as that is the least expensive air shipping method available.  Most packages arrive in 14-18 days, where the post office calls for it to be picked up.

In addition to never have lost a package, we also have never had an issue with Customs.

As has been discussed in several previous threads, one's success is based on several issues -- local destination, addressing method, packaging, customs documentation.

[boaterguy]

The last time we mailed a package to Russia(Novosibirsk) we were told all packages have to go priority mail. It took 3 weeks. We have also used express mail which usually took 2 weeks. A couple of years ago my wife sent a package slowboat to her cousin in the boonies of Siberia and it took 3 months.

So far...knock on wood" we have never lost a shipment as well.

As posted above...the last confirmation on tracking is in Moscow. Once past Moscow the only way we received confirmation was from the receiver!

[aikorob]

Experience with Ukraine----

On all mail and packages to in-laws: English AND Cyrillic address labels cut 2-3 weeks off delivery time.
This is to Odessa; all types of packages and letters.
We have never lost one, just some extreeeeeeeeemly slow delivery times before we started the address trick.

[ConnerVT]

The last time we mailed a package to Russia(Novosibirsk) we were told all packages have to go priority mail.

Generally true.  If under 4 lbs, you can send things via First-Class Mail International.  You can usually get away with the small Customs form with these.

Next step up (cost wise) is Priority Mail International.  Most everybody uses this.  Plain box; address in Russian; Customs form complete and boring (Gift, under $100 in value, recipient's phone number so local PO knows who to call); no extra insurance (can't insure a $99 item for $500).

More expensive are Express Mail International and Global Express Guaranteed.  You don't get a lot more for your extra $$, but they do draw more attention from Customs and potential thieves.  (Disclaimer: I did use Global Express Guaranteed to send some legal documents to Tver once.  It took seven days for them to arrive).

[tim 360]

I've never used the padded envelope for Ukraine or Russia.  I have found USPS to be very good and have not lost anything.  Usually zero value letters have gone First Class Air Mail and small packages too.  Depending on where they go to determines the delivery time.  St Pete and Moscow has usually been 7-8 days.  Smaller towns will take longer of course.  I've also used USPS Priority Mail International with good results and no problems, just a bit pricier than First Class.  Never used Express or Global because I never sent high value items.  Chbinsk?  Your results may be different.

[yarm]

I honestly don't remember whether I sent it Priority or Express because it was over a month ago and I can't find the receipt. I do speak Russian, so I wrote the address in Cyrillic on the package and in Latin on the customs tag. She does live in a small town, I guess we'll see what happens.

[Faux Pas]

I've used the USPS almost extensively but I've always used the Priority and Express. Different arrival times depending on the time of year I suppose. All my package and parcels have arrived to the intended destination at varying times. None has taken a month. 3 weeks is about the longest and the shortest is just under 2 weeks.

A side note: Always make sure your package is traceable by either buying insurance or the service itself. Keep the package as plain looking as possible. Expensive looking packages only raise flags to the various thieves it encounters along the way.

[phantom]

In my experience, when using the usps, letters I sent first class, usually took from 4-6 weeks.  Anything else, I've sent priority, filling out the custom forms, etc.  That usually took 3 weeks, and she would get a notification of the package.  As far as tracking, you would have to pay extra for that.

[JR]

I might add that I haven't send anything to the FSU since the early nineties so it's a whole new ball game and you should disregard everything I said as outdated

[XMan]

I had success with USPS Express-only to Russia in the past.  Other methods resulted in packages that never arrived (so I hope Yuri's wife enjoyed the chocolate, sweater, etc.). 

I had success more recently (within the past year) with USPS Express and also Priority to Ukraine. 
But, I go in figuring I have a 50% chance it will make it.

[yarm]

Looks like the package finally made it. It took about 6 weeks.

[roykirk]

In the year my wife was still living in Novosibirsk, I had only 1 out of 6 USPS packages arrive, not including 4 postcards during a vacation of which none arrived (the one that did arrive had been rummaged through extensively).  I tried every addressing method possible...English, Cyrillic, etc.  Two Fed Ex packages did arrive without delay, but it was extremely expensive.  But since she's been here, she's sent several USPS packages to her parents, who lived just down the street from her.  Every one of them has arrived just fine.  Go figure.