Sending valuables to Russia - need advice

[Faux Pas]

Also, on one side of the package I would address in English and direct opposite side it was addressed in Cyrillic

[mendeleyev]

hundreds of thousands or perhaps millions of packages being shipped to Russia daily. The players involved are at war with specific packages and companies.

Very true. I believe that anything which looks like it could have been an Ebay purchase could get tagged. Point of entry is also important and I don't know how Postal Russia does such. Perhaps entry by a city other than Moscow garners less attention, if there are even multiple points of postal entry? 

Faux Pas, I enjoy your avatar very much! You probably know the story of that funny, cartoonish looking statue: One year as Anton Chekhov traveled thru Tomsk on his way to Sakhalin, he wrote in his diary some uncomplimentary things about the city. Later those comments were published and it is said that the statue is the town's way at jabbing back at Chekhov.    Today of course they are very proud of their relationship to the great Russian writer.

[Faux Pas]

Very true. I believe that anything which looks like it could have been an Ebay purchase could get tagged. Point of entry is also important and I don't know how Postal Russia does such. Perhaps entry by a city other than Moscow garners less attention, if there are even multiple points of postal entry? 

Faux Pas, I enjoy your avatar very much! You probably know the story of that funny, cartoonish looking statue: One year as Anton Chekhov traveled thru Tomsk on his way to Sakhalin, he wrote in his diary some uncomplimentary things about the city. Later those comments were published and it is said that the statue is the town's way at jabbing back at Chekhov.    Today of course they are very proud of their relationship to the great Russian writer.

mendeleyev

In fact I am familiar with the story.  Before visiting Tomsk for the first time I read the story and saw a picture of the statue and made a point to visit it. While visiting it I found what turns out to be one of my favorite restaurants in Tomsk and Russia, The Slavinski's (sp) Bazaar. A very unique building on the river I believe was once a Hotel. The statue is just a few steps from the restaurant. Great Russian cuisine as well as Australian steaks. A bit pricey but the ambiance and food is outstanding. The wood carvings in the interior is quite a treat.

[brucen36]

Hey:

Would it be possible for you to buy a camera online with a credit card at a russian electronics site (if one exists) and simply put her address as the shipping address?  Just a thought.

B

[russianfront]

If I really needed her to have a digi cam I have decided that I would just send her the money and let her go buy it locally. Thats the safest way. But I am not going to do this, I'll just wait till I see her in person to give her a camera. She's actually going (at my urging) to a photographer tonight to get some professional pics done as she doesn't have a camera and doesn't have many pics other than from her webcam at work, and if you know webcam quality..well I can't exaclty blow it up and frame it. I would never send a webcam pic of myself to anyone, it would reduce me to looking like a freak for sure..I cant stand webcam pics, they make everyone look bad!!

[Mishenka]

Hey:

Would it be possible for you to buy a camera online with a credit card at a russian electronics site (if one exists) and simply put her address as the shipping address?  Just a thought.

B

No, American banks block the use of credit cards to any place in Russia because of the high numbers of fraud. To risky.

[Aloe]

Hey:

Would it be possible for you to buy a camera online with a credit card at a russian electronics site (if one exists) and simply put her address as the shipping address?  Just a thought.

B

No, American banks block the use of credit cards to any place in Russia because of the high numbers of fraud. To risky.

That's not true. Every card issued has a certain security level applied to it. At some level it blocks transactions in "unsafe" countries, but you can lower the level if you call your bank. I used a regular american credit card online before, and the guy didn't even have to lower his security level. (Yes, yes, some guys actually give out their CC info to someone they've never met).
However it would be impossible to buy almost anything over the net in Russia using a credit card, for the simple reason that they don't accept credit card payments. Most online stores around here take your payment in cash when you receive the delivery in real life, or some stores accept webmoney/yandex money (popular russian online currency)

[Wienerin]

No, American banks block the use of credit cards to any place in Russia because of the high numbers of fraud. To risky.


That's not true. Every card issued has a certain security level applied to it. At some level it blocks transactions in "unsafe" countries, but you can lower the level if you call your bank. I used a regular american credit card online before, and the guy didn't even have to lower his security level. (Yes, yes, some guys actually give out their CC info to someone they've never met).
However it would be impossible to buy almost anything over the net in Russia using a credit card, for the simple reason that they don't accept credit card payments. Most online stores around here take your payment in cash when you receive the delivery in real life, or some stores accept webmoney/yandex money (popular russian online currency)

All the statements - except there being an unfortunate situation in Russia-Ukraine with the ATM transactions - are not true. Of course, there's fraud - but where there isn't? All 3 of fraufulent transactions on my credit cards happened here. in the US. Now the 4th was looming - yesterday CITICards called to say they'l be sending me a new card with a new number as one of the sellers which I might have used in the past had his "database compromised" - and they're changing all the cards - and to watch for unauthorized transactions (which I do anyway) - well, whatever...

There are electronics and other sites in Russia - where it's possible to buy online using a credit card. One can also use PayPal - and buy smth on eBay or other sites and have the gift shipped to an address in Russia. I know people who are for years buying stuff on Ozon - books, tapes, CDs - paying of course with credit cards and maybe they have PayPal now, - I don't rightly know since I don't use them.

Most of the sellers on eBay (and they have different European and Asian sections and even Russian sellers - I've bought twice from those) will ship everywhere, even to Russia and even to Siberia.

I use only two precautions - PayPal and iof a credit card then a special one (I have two of those, one registered with PayPal, one not) with small credit limit - my two are 500 and 800. I also pay fraud insurance on these two, and they are also the ones I take abroad, most of our heavy expenses being paid in advance, debit cards working for cash, and us not going into buying diamonds, etc.

All said - why doesn't the prospective giver of an expensive camera first buy and send something cheaper - and then "upgrade" it in person? Expensive presents on a short acquiantance are a bad policy in my book - on many counts.

[chivo]

If you mean that everything you write should be taken as holy writ - then I also wonder 

Well, I'm here in Moscow and if you noticed, I don't post much. Usually when I do, I'm close to being 100% sure of what I write so that I don't have to go round and round with pips like you. But, like you, there are always people who have something to prove  .

I was also replying to a post that stated things were much more expensive. Well, sorry, I know for a fact that they aren't MUCH more. More expensive, yes, but much more, NO!! Not even close.

You wrote about your experience and general considerations, I wrote about mine experience and may continue with more specifics.

No, I wrote about electronics being less expensive as oppose to even last year, and gave some examples/links involving cameras (apples to apples), not MPS players or anything else. Given the price of shipping, it seemed better to just send the money.

If anyone wants ALL the information on how to save $5-15 on a MP3 player, then you're "the man". Other than bringing it here themselves, I don't think you'll be saving much in the long run. Nobody ships to Russia for free 

BTW I can get a barely used MP3 player for about the same prices you quote on ebay. I bought my barely used computer 5 years ago for $250 and it still is going strong.

Our (my son's and mine) mode of operation is - we go to online sites, here, to Microcenter and in StP and Moscow, or we do independent research at the stores and computer fair - with a shopping list in hand. Also e-bay, of course.

In a very rare case that it's cheaper or more convenient (as with a laptop) to buy there, then I either help with financing or not... But the things I've already wrote about - are more expensive there as of 3 weeks ago. Again I repeat - 2 to 4 times (as with MP3 players, which I buy here for $8-9 or even less, and there they're still at least $25-30)

Electronics (and other things BTW) are generally less expensive in the States and Europe. When you take into account all the logistics, worry, and time, it might just be better to go about it a different way. To be honest, I don't have time to be so ANAL about saving a few dollars as you. I think most men are this way, your son excluded. Although I can forgive him, I mean, he has to deal with you 

Some people are content to send things using different means. Some aren't. Again, the overall price of electronics in Russia has come down given the devaluation of the rouble, and the lowering of prices for "non' essential goods.

Now factor in shipping to Russia, and the savings are negligible given the circumstances. Not to mention if something goes wrong with the device, you can deal with a local guarantee.

If I really needed her to have a digi cam I have decided that I would just send her the money and let her go buy it locally. Thats the safest way.

This was my point.

It wouldn't cost much more all things considered.

chivo

[russianfront]

As a follow-up to this tread I started I have found 2 piece of interesting information:

1) DHL is about $140 to send a 6x6x6" 2 pound box to her city in Russia. Ouch. Apparently it takes 4 days. I forgot to ask if they have a slightly slower but less costly alternative.

2) I found this website: http://www.mvideo.ru/catalog/lvl_14/class_117/
I wonder if these guys are the Best Buy of Russia? In any case I looked at the camera prices ther and they are not much more than here. Of course the turn-over in digital cameras is huge so their models might be a little more dated than ours for the same price but all will get the job done.

So now my options are to spend the $140+ to ship her one of my cameras or send her money to buy one there. She's going to see her parents for the whole month of July and I want her to have a camera to send me pics of what she is up to.

[tfcrew]

For less than $30 anywhere, it seems like someone could buy a Bic disposable camera and get an extra print free with each shot.
But that's just me.
$140 shipping?....nah.

[Chicagoguy]

I have sent camera and laptop to Russia with U.S.P.O. Express Mail with no problems. They were not top of the line !

I mark it as 0 value [ used ] and a gift so they don't have to pay tax. I take them out of the original packaging.

For important documents I have used DHL but it is expensive.

[MatryoshkaMan]

Don't bother sending anything of any value to Russia, it will be stolen for sure!
I have sent many items and its 50/50 if they will ever get there!!
I sent my GF a really nice and sexy top by Guess.....GONE!!
I sent her 2 white summer tops..she just got it today but 1 top is missing!!! F***ing theives.
I am PO'd big time. What a waste of time and money..spending hours looking for something, packaging it, paying for expensive postage just so some witch can steal it to sell or give it away...

[ConnerVT]

Don't bother sending anything of any value to Russia, it will be stolen for sure!

It is interesting how your experiences are the exact opposite of mine over the past 5 years.

[boaterguy]

It is interesting how your experiences are the exact opposite of mine over the past 5 years.

+1

[MatryoshkaMan]

[Faux Pas]

It is interesting how your experiences are the exact opposite of mine over the past 5 years.

I echo that.

Also, there is a way to mail and a way not to mail

[BC]

No, American banks block the use of credit cards to any place in Russia because of the high numbers of fraud. To risky.

We've ordered quite many items from ozon.ru for destinations both in and out of RU, as in books here, gifts there.

Never had a problem either with stuff not arriving or use of our EU based credit card for payment. 

[MatryoshkaMan]

I echo that.

Also, there is a way to mail and a way not to mail

What could I possibly be doing wrong such that my packages are opened and the contents selectively stolen??

[Faux Pas]

What could I possibly be doing wrong such that my packages are opened and the contents selectively stolen??

MM....I don't know what you did or you didn't do but, as I explained earlier in this thread, you have to make the package appear worthless and as inconspicuous as possible. Did you follow any of that advice? No fancy packaging, no designer labels or stickers on the boxes. Nothing from outward appearance that would give any indication of what the box contains. Wrap the package in plain brown paper with nothing but the addresses visible. Insure the the package for the least  possible amount $20(?) no matter the worth of the contents. You do that only for the purposes of tracking. Regardless of what they tell you and what I've seen on the forum, a package can be tracked in Russia. Label the insurance and custom forms as personal property NOT gift or dresses or jewelery.

Its when you do not follow these simple rules that the thieves run to your packages like flies to sh!t

Did you follow any of that advice?

[Aloe]

no clue what you were doing wrong, i got all my packages delivered intact, some of them even contained money in cash (which is forbidden for sending, yet it made it just fine), maybe you use the wrong service Use express mail, the expensive one, not regular mail

[ConnerVT]

Use express mail, the expensive one, not regular mail

I disagree.  I only once sent anything by USPS Global Express Mail, and that was time sensitive documents.

Standard USPS Priority Mail has always been sufficient, and MUCH less expensive, for packages.  Over 40 packages (10-40 lb each) have arrived successfully, without a single item missing.

[MatryoshkaMan]

FP the 2 shirts (more like tank tops) were in a plain kraft paper envelope with my gf's address in Russian (printed from my comp) and my return address written in ink top left. Don't know how much more inconspicuous I could make it. There is no way to hide the fact that the package is coming from Canada (stamps, postage mark etc.). Obviously when the postal witches see an overseas package the theiving gene kicks in and they open to "inspect"...and if a thing or two go missing well they are just protecting Russia's national security...I was thinking of writing a complaint letter to Putin. Think it will help??

[boaterguy]

FP the 2 shirts (more like tank tops) were in a plain kraft paper envelope with my gf's address in Russian (printed from my comp) and my return address written in ink top left. Don't know how much more inconspicuous I could make it. There is no way to hide the fact that the package is coming from Canada (stamps, postage mark etc.). Obviously when the postal witches see an overseas package the theiving gene kicks in and they open to "inspect"...and if a thing or two go missing well they are just protecting Russia's national security...I was thinking of writing a complaint letter to Putin. Think it will help??

We always send everything in a box. My wife even sent some handmedown clothes to her niece in the boonies of Siberia. Weighed about 10 pounds and sent it the cheapest way. Took 2 or 3 months but she got the package AOK! I would also like to add never insure anything for $100 or more or it will be held in Moscow until the import taxes are paid. We found this out the hard way. My MIL needed my wife's internal passport(don't really think she needed it) when she was privitizing her apartment. Being the careful sort I sent it the only way that seemed safe. The most expensive option offered by the PO which was actually handled by Federal Express. I opted for the $100 insurance it came with. The envelope contents were declared as documents. The SOB's in Moscow held it until we paid $33 tax on the shipment. To make it even worse I set up an account with Fed-ex so I could pay the tax throgh them. The SOB's billed us again for the delivery. Took an act of congress to get them to drop the charges! To add insult to injury we shipped some other documents my MIL needed later the same way through the PO. Fed-ex billed us for that shipment again even though we paid at the PO. Needless to say after all the hoops Fed-ex made us jump through to keep from paying twice I will never use Fed-ex again!