Postal mail/packages to Russia

[phantom]

I'm wondering, as along wih doing some e-mails, I will also be sending postal letters to Russia.  I know the way the address is written, compared to the US, but, I was wondering, can it be written in English or should it be Russian?

I also have a packages I want to send, will sending it priority get it to her quicker, or just to Russia?

[Doll]

Write the address in English on both letters and packages.

I used to send the packages " by air", now send it by express mail because I think it is safer, also,  the latter will be delivered to their homes. The express (so called Global express) is expensive though.

[ChrisBfla]

I always put the address in both Russian and English (even though my postal mail wnet to Ukriane).  We've been married now for some time so my wife does not sent letters anymore to her family or sister since they joined the computer age.  They have SKPE so they can see each other and talk in real time as well as e-mail photos and video clips.

However, for sending packages (food, clothing, gifts) we use MEEST.  In fact, even though we live in Florida, we use MEEST Boston.  We ship the package up there by UPS ground and they send it on by container boat to Ukraine.  Takes about 5 weeks but always our packages of 60-70 lbs. arrive unopened and in good shape.

Hope that hellps.

Chris
www.freewebs.com/chrisbfla

[ConnerVT]

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.

[tim 360]

I've had no problems using USPS for mail or packages.  I am rather amazed at the speed the mail can move too.  I always use Russian for the recipients address although I have been told by people in the large cities that English is fine to use.  Still, I use Russian.

[phantom]

Thanks for all the answers to this, as it was all very helpful.  Glad the mail is faster, as she does live in a major city.

[Doll]

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.

They understand- it is not hard

[ConnerVT]

مكتبة الكونغرس
101 شارع الاستقلال ، وجنوب شرق
واشنطن ، العاصمة 20540

Doll, do you know where to deliver this one also?

[tim 360]

Here is some USPS International info.  First Class International is a bargain.


International Prices
International Service Average Delivery Time Starting Price Pricing Factors
Global Express Guaranteed® 1-3 days From $31.95 Prices based on weight and distance
 
Express Mail International® 3 - 5 days From $25.95 Prices based on weight and distance
Flat rate envelope available!
Priority Mail® International 6-10 days From $10.95 Prices based on weight and shape
Flat rate options available!
First-Class Mail International™ varies From $0.75 Prices based on weight and distance 

[Doll]

it always takes more days than they say

[kryten41]

If you are going to send it by U.S. mail, you address it in English, per the United States Postal Service.

[ConnerVT]

If you are going to send it by U.S. mail, you address it in English, per the United States Postal Service.

Really?  Post your source, please.

The only mention that I've seen is regarding Customs forms, which must be written in English.

[phantom]

I haven't sent the package yet, but will soon.  What goes on the customs forms?

[phantom]

What about International Reply coupons, when I send a letter?

[Wraith]

If you are mailing it from the US the only thing that needs to be in English is the country of destination. I use address labels for my corrsepondence and have not had a problem sending anything as long as the country is in English.

Learned my lesson rather fast in not using marker/pen in addressing though as I had one package returned. Apparently something spilled on the package I sent making the address completely illegible. Now I use the labels and place a couple pieces of transparent tape over both addresses (mine and the addressee) to help ensure that mishap doesn't occur again.

[phantom]

Ok, thanks.  I do know how to write Russian cyrillic by hand, as I use vista and don't know where to find the fonts for it.

[Chicagoguy]

I try and put Zero value on the customs forms or someone might have to pay duty.
I say "used" and often take items out of original packaging.

[Faux Pas]

I try and put Zero value on the customs forms or someone might have to pay duty.
I say "used" and often take items out of original packaging.

You can list personal property or Gift and there is no duty to pay in Russia. I would advise to declare and insure it for $50-$100 bucks no matter the worth. Keep the package plain brown and simple. High insurance amounts and fancy packaging draws the attention of thieves.

[phantom]

I'll keep both in mind, as I didn't realize about the duty pay.  I'd hate to have that happen.  Thanks for all the advice here.

[phantom]

Made the address 10 when it should have been 1, I hope I get it sent back to me. That was a card and relaized I did the same on the package, which since it was thursday, what's the odds, it hasn't shipped, since the holiday?

[Muddy]

I'm wondering, as along wih doing some e-mails, I will also be sending postal letters to Russia.  I know the way the address is written, compared to the US, but, I was wondering, can it be written in English or should it be Russian?

I also have a packages I want to send, will sending it priority get it to her quicker, or just to Russia?

Its best to only write the address ins russian
Use USPS express mail, it takes less than 2 weeks, if you use MEEST it could take 5+ weeks

USPS express mail is your best option

[MatryoshkaMan]

I just sent my first envelope to my friend in Novosibirsk. Just a trial run with a couple of gifts inside. I got her to send me her adress in cyrillic and I printed it out on the computer in a large font with RUSSIA just below it. Am keeping my fingers crossed she gets it! If so I will start the flow of surprise goodies for her.

[Faux Pas]

I just sent my first envelope to my friend in Novosibirsk. Just a trial run with a couple of gifts inside. I got her to send me her adress in cyrillic and I printed it out on the computer in a large font with RUSSIA just below it. Am keeping my fingers crossed she gets it! If so I will start the flow of surprise goodies for her.

In the future you might want to print RUSSIA in english on the top line. The US postal workers have to know the destination country. The rest in cyrillic is fine

[Vaughn]

I do know how to write Russian cyrillic by hand, as I use vista and don't know where to find the fonts for it.

Phantom, here is a site where your keyboard is auto-transformed into a Cyrillic keyboard, OR you can simply
click on the Cyrillic letters shown on your screen....  then, cut, paste and maybe embolden if you want to...
(note: to "autotransform, you must enable by selecting ON in the "Cyrillic via keyboard" box to the lower right)

http://winrus.com/screen_e.htm

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.

[bobb]

I used USPS Priority Flat Rate Envelope ($12.95) three times between Nov 2008 and March 2009.  Weight between 1-2 lbs.  Documents and/or gifts.  Arrived in Izhevsk as early as 2 weeks, as late as 19 days.  Sent L a completed DS-156 and DS-230 applications for her interview; affidavit of support; documentation of relationship (funny thing they never asked her for that 1/2 inch assortment of emails, Skype logs, boarding passes, etc.) in late June in mid-May.  This time I sent it in the USPS slightly larger envelope and cost about $27 and weight was 1lb 2oz.  And I had to fill out a slightly more detailed customs form.   

After 3 weeks and 4 days now package arrival.  I couldn't take the chance of it not arriving so had to use UPS, no DHL where I live, which cost $121 to send her the duplicate I had prepared.  That arrived in 1 week.

The original USPS package arrived in Moscow May 22nd.  That's as far as you can track it.  It arrived at her apartment five weeks after mailed and 3 days after her interview.

For the labels on packages I have sent I created a template in Word and on the left in English (font size 11) and the right in Russian (font size 12).  I also made a line between the two addresses.  Printed it, cut it to size, and covered it completely with tape.

Who knows, maybe if I had used USPS Express and put it in the flat rate envelope it would have arrived earlier.