The Russian postal system actually works!

[prince_alfie]

Just got word that RW received my package in Uzbekistan after hmm... 3 weeks! The postal system actually works... I have trust of it now .

Spasiba for being supportive. I almost worried that the US Postal almost lost it... any good adventures with the US/Russian postal system?

[ConnerVT]

For 2 1/2 years, I have regularly (2-3/month, more around birthdays and holidays) sent and recieved packages to/from Russia without a single problem.  Letters typically take 2 weeks, packages about 3 weeks.  Never has a package been lost, opened, or damaged.

The postal system works.  No surprise to the informed.

[Rvrwind]

Wish I could say the same, but unfortunately two packages that were sent before Christmas last year still have not arrived or been returned to the sender!!

[catzenmouse]

We've never lost anything but have had some very odd time frames for stuff. One package took over 3 months and another time we sent a letter then another one a week or 10 days later. The second letter got there in 9 days which was a week before the first one got there.

As in all life, it is an adventure.

Ken

[ConnerVT]

Wish I could say the same, but unfortunately two packages that were sent before Christmas last year still have not arrived or been returned to the sender!!

I always thought the mail service to your place was a little sketchy (must be the look of the mailboxes).   

Were your packages addressed in English or Russian?  Packages (addressed in Russian) always arrive at the in-laws without a problem (but usually Papa needs to go down to the post office to pick up things in boxes).

[catzenmouse]

We always put RUSSIAN FEDERATION in English above and below the address with an underline and put the actual address in Russian. Seems to work pretty well.

I think the postman just doesn't like Richard!

Ken

[Rvrwind]

They were addressed to my office & they were addressed in Russian.
I think Ken has a handle on the real reason!! I gave that bottle of Canadian Whiskey to the wrong guy!!!

[docetae]

I have sent last february a photo album to one agency in Ukraine and this was never delivered but from what I have learned since, that was more an issue with the agency than postal service ... Last april, I sent with Post Canada two parcels to Ukraine , high priority. What Post Canada does not told me , is that they do not deliver high priority parcel in small towns ... Only in large cities ... Ukrainian customs in this case keep the parcel for 90 days before returning it ... When I received it, I discovered that the Lego Airplane box has been opened by Yuri the ripper, the box was open in the middle with no care ...

So now, I have stopped to send parcels and I just send mail ...


 

[beattledog]

Yes, I have sent packages to  Tashkent that never arrived.  When, they do it takes about 4 weeks. This would be acceptable in this country.

beattledog

[Elen]

May I ask a question in cases you packages have not arrived did you make claims to post service or let it be just so?

[docetae]

I claimed them, they were even able to trace them to custom in Kiev. As they told me they do not deliver express package to small town, I ask DHL to redirect the package to a Kiev address but ukrainian customs refused and they were shipped back to me.

[Daknack]

Ive sent things to Elena and I always get them sent back.  I have a pretty low opinion of the Russian Postal Service

[BC]

Never had a problem with normal mail.

We put both latin and cyrilic addresses on letters and packages.

[Bruno]

Never know problem...

Address always write in English and Russian...

For package, always a custom declaration make at the post office...

Always use official box from post office for package...

[aikorob]

BC has it right---put address in both languages.

This has shaved 2-3 weeks off the delivery time Atlanta --> Odessa

[chivo]

I would also in addition to writing addresses both in Russian and English include a contact telephone number for the recipient. good luck.

chivo

[BC]

I would also in addition to writing addresses both in Russian and English include a contact telephone number for the recipient. good luck.

chivo

Give the postman my gf or fiancees number??

Naaa...

[beattledog]

Yes, it works, but is so slow.   This would not be acceptable in this country

beattledog

[SANDRO43]

The postal system works.  No surprise to the informed.

Maybe because it is low technology (human legs) . My experiences 2 years ago with their telephone system (calling SPB, not a minor village in the wilderness), were exasperating : unjustifiable busy signals, wrong numbers, line dropping unexpectedly. And I could distinctly hear the whirrs and clicks of their still electro-magnetical switching units in the background, while waiting hopefully for my call to go through. Hope it's improved since then. 

[prince_alfie]

Yes, I think that the customs declaration is most important. It would be the thing that holds up a great deal of mail over to Russia.

[Elen]

Ive sent things to Elena and I always get them sent back.  I have a pretty low opinion of the Russian Postal Service

well you should not say THAT because now you will give something like that from me in return - Now I have doubts about American's skills to write at all 

PS I had no problems with others who sent me packages 
BTW I asked my question about had you tried to make official claims for lost packages because only in THAT case you may talk ( if you got proofs of course) that it was Russian ( or FSU ) fault

[docetae]

Maybe because it is low technology (human legs) . My experiences 2 years ago with their telephone system (calling SPB, not a minor village in the wilderness), were exasperating : unjustifiable busy signals, wrong numbers, line dropping unexpectedly. And I could distinctly hear the whirrs and clicks of their still electro-magnetical switching units in the background, while waiting hopefully for my call to go through. Hope it's improved since then. 

You should be happy, you have found a country where you still can use your old blue box to do long distance call ;P

[Manny]

In my experience from the UK, International post arrives in Russia (normal letters - anything other has never arrived - presumed stolen) in about 2 weeks.

Letters leaving Russia bound for the UK take up to 6 weeks and often do not arrive at all!

I too have a pretty low opinion of the Russian Postal Service. Like many things in Russia, it is very hit & miss!

[BC]

Just to throw a little salt in...

How many times have you heard: I sent you a fax..... or didn't you get my email?

The most famous: 'The check is in the mail'

Always remember there is a human factor involved.

Sure post is not perfect but acknowledge the human factor involved.

[Daknack]

Ive done the English and Cyrillic on Elena's.  I sent a book to a lady with a phone # and that got there.