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sending package to moscow
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Posted by: utah

Hi all,

Apparently this is the only forum I am allowed to post a new thread in.
I am looking for the best way to send some gifts to Moscow. I have about 15 lbs. of stuff to send. Is it safe to send items to russia? Also would it be best to send it all in one box or break it up to several smaller packages?

Thanks

Posted by: AkMike

You've hit the three post barrier so now you can post in the regular areas. It' stops the spammers that sign up here. Sorry but it was bad.
I've sent and recfieved stuff from Ukraine alot and the longest took about 2 months of transit.. Most took about 2 weeks. I'd send it in 1 box and with signature slips and insurance. Keep in mind that if it's $pendy stuff it has a better chance to vaporize in customs and at the post office. But I sent a spendy camera lens and it made it fine..

Posted by: GentleGiant

Make sure you insure it, you need to find out what duty they will have to pay as well, and perhaps wire them the money/ prepay card to pay for it.

Not sure if it is just my bad luck, dishonesty at the accommodation block or what; but nothing I have sent to a friend of mine in Moscow has ever arrived; not even postcards.

As you are new to the forum, WELCOME!!

Also, have you checked out the threads dedicated to scams before you spend lots of time, money and emotion on a russian woman?? If you met this person online, but outside of a specialized Russian or FSU (Former Soviet Union), marriage website, the chances are very high that they are not who they say they are.

Posted by: sidney

I agree in that you need to know who you are sending to. Fat Hairy Uri gets plenty for Christmas so don't add to his list.
I don't know about your state but here in PA we send thru the baptist church. No, neither of us are baptistd. They hand deliver to their door and nothing has ever been stolen. It costs about 75 cent per pound which is cheaper then sending across america.
Sid

Posted by: GoingToRussia

I tried to send things to Russia 2 times and they never made it. I have heard of people using DHL and it worked everytime. I think it is because they can track the package because they have their own customs set-up for the country.

Smaller packages are best. Just last week I sent something to Australia. I was going to send it in the box it came in but it cost over $400 to mail. I went home and put the contents in a smaller box and it cost $81.

Did you find yourself a Russian Beauty Utah?

Posted by: disculmawsu

I regularly send parcels to Moscow and I have had no problems. Most of the parcels have very small 1 or 2 lbs. I would suggest that you break up the contents into several small packages and keep the value small under $50.00. I would also insure them as well. It takes about 6-8 business (except if there is a holiday when mail is not deliveried).
I read somewhere that the Russian custom authories tend to look for big parcels because they assume that you are attempting to import something to sell (actually I think it was a US consulate page in Vladivostok). In addition, on my previous two trips to Moscow the customs officials at airport stopped travelers with several large suitcases and boxes of things and were X-rayed by custom officials, so that seems to support the information on the webpage.

Posted by: utah

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidney

I agree in that you need to know who you are sending to. Fat Hairy Uri gets plenty for Christmas so don't add to his list.
I don't know about your state but here in PA we send thru the baptist church. No, neither of us are baptistd. They hand deliver to their door and nothing has ever been stolen. It costs about 75 cent per pound which is cheaper then sending across america.
Sid

Your way sounds good. How did you find out about it? So do I just have to call the local Baptist church or is there a contact at the curch you are using who might offer me advice? Just PM me if you have specific info.

To answer all who are cautioning me to make sure she is real. I have been trying this international dating for a while and actually went to the Ukraine twice a few years ago to meet one lady. Didn't work out so I did local dating for a while and decided to try this again. Yes, I have had many scam attempts and shot them all down. This lady belongs to a Moscow dating agency, Inter-Fam, and there have been no red flags. To the contrary she is paying for the letter translation and this is my way for helping/repaying her by sending some gifts.

Posted by: sidney

If there are any russian/ukrainians in your area they should know about this. Our contact is in Harrisburg, PA and probably doesn't know of any in your area but I'll check when we go there in a few weeks unless you'd like her number to call her. All I need is a major city in Utah where it is convenient for you to ship from. They only send out about once a month and fill a shipping container which keeps the cost down.
Sid

Posted by: utah

Quote:

Originally Posted by sidney

If there are any russian/ukrainians in your area they should know about this. Our contact is in Harrisburg, PA and probably doesn't know of any in your area but I'll check when we go there in a few weeks unless you'd like her number to call her. All I need is a major city in Utah where it is convenient for you to ship from. They only send out about once a month and fill a shipping container which keeps the cost down.
Sid

I live in Salt Lake City And really interested. So far I don't know any russian/ukrainians in my area. Yes, If you don't mind I would like to give your contact person a call, just PM me with the number.

thanks

Posted by: utah

I am getting all kinds of different advice on this. I have posted to several forums and Priority Mail International seems to be the cheapest, the Flat Rate Box is only $37.00. I am only sending some Bath & Bodyworks soaps, one of those kids Shark tents from Target, and a few inexpensive clothes items. So it would not make any sense to spend more than $200 to send less than a $100 worth of stuff.

Posted by: sidney

Did you get my email?
Sid

Posted by: utah

Got it .... Thanks! Unfortunately on the website it says "Temporarily, there is no service to Russia. We are very sorry for this inconvenience" So I will bookmark it and try with my next package.

Posted by: sidney

We send to ukaine but I assumed they also did russia.
Sid

Posted by: redhawk

i sent my girl a pair of 2000.00 diamond earrings in the mail nov. 3rd, through the good old UNITED STATES POSTAL SERVICE.i insured them of course,and it was only supposed to take 7-10 business days,but it took almost 15 days to moscow.holidays and all that.
to get tracking on this small package internationally was 115.00 and total weight was only 4 pounds. for you- YIKES! once there, she had them checked by a jeweler to be sure they didnt pull the old "switcherooski" at customs. they are fine. i always trust usps to send my packages,although,my buddy works for DHL in moscow,hes from my home town,and as long as you package properly,VERY properly,they do a good job. my woman says they are famous for this,and make duplicates

good luck and welcome to the forum!!!!

Posted by: disculmawsu

My friend in Moscow and I discovered it is not a good idea to mail parcels after December 1st - the mail system seems to slow down. I sent a parcel to her on December 5 using the express mail (arrive in 5 days). The parcel arrived in Moscow on the 10th, but sat for nine days to pass through customs. She still waiting for it to be delivered.
She sent a parcel to me on December 7 and it still hasn't arrived (we both used to 10 day shipping times during the fall). So, mail parcels early before December 1.

Posted by: blucatz

Quote:

Originally Posted by GentleGiant2

Make sure you insure it, you need to find out what duty they will have to pay as well, and perhaps wire them the money/ prepay card to pay for it.

Not sure if it is just my bad luck, dishonesty at the accommodation block or what; but nothing I have sent to a friend of mine in Moscow has ever arrived; not even postcards.

As you are new to the forum, WELCOME!!

Also, have you checked out the threads dedicated to scams before you spend lots of time, money and emotion on a russian woman?? If you met this person online, but outside of a specialized Russian or FSU (Former Soviet Union), marriage website, the chances are very high that they are not who they say they are.

How can you find out what the duty is? I just shipped a package to Omsk thru FedEx and the shipping service had no idea what it would be. Also, has anyone had any difficulties shipping packages thru DHL? I wanted to ship this package thru DHL but was told that they were not taking any outside packages now unless you had an account with them. So I shipped it FedEx which is rather pricey.

Posted by: EasyTarget

USPS now has a flat rate for International Priority mail. It is ~$40.00. Also the tracking service lets you see that when it arrives in Moscow, and when it clears through customs. Pretty good.

The custom duty can be pretty pricey. But if I understand everything correctly, if the total value of the shipment is < $100.00 there should be no fee. However I haven't been able to confirm this with anyone.

Posted by: Spakoyna

Quote:

Originally Posted by blucatz

From my experience I believe it is around 33% of declared value. My wife's mother needed my wife's local passport so we shipped FEDex gauranteed. It came with $100 of insurance so I declared a value of $100. The B*stards charged us $33. Had to open an account with Fedex to make paying the tax easier. They would not release her passport until the tax was paid. Contents were listed as documents.

Greedy Russian Government.

After that we just send everything Global Express, No Declared Value and Listed as a gift. No Tax and no problems since....Knock on Wood.

Posted by: AkMike

We've always sent stuff listed as gifts w/o problems. But they went to Ukraine so Russia might do things differently.

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Yes I think each country is different. I never has a problem with declaring gifts or paying for taxes for packages to Moldova. Also The USPS was cheaper then UPS for sending documents there. They also track and take care of customs.

Posted by: blucatz

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spakoyna

Greedy Russian Government.

After that we just send everything Global Express, No Declared Value and Listed as a gift. No Tax and no problems since....Knock on Wood.

you mean they won't give her the package untill I pay the $33? I only declared it at $100. How am I suppose to pay that over here? Why can't they just tell us what the tax is before we ship the stuff so we can take care of it beforehand? I don't want my girl to have to pay for the stupid tax. $33 is not cheap over there. What is this Global Express you are talking about?

Posted by: Spakoyna

Quote:

Originally Posted by blucatz

The Global Express is just that...overseas Express mail(US postal servive). Unfortunately Global Priority is not available to Russia. They offer Global Express gauranteed but that is offered through Fedex. Yeap...the package will not be released until the tax is paid. If you set up an account with Fedex you can pay Fedex and they will pay the tax for you. I totally agree about the tax thing. If you stated it was a gift maybe they will not tax it. I don't know.

Posted by: blucatz

I was never asked if it was a gift or not, just what was the value. I had the package store box it up for me and the seen what it was. It was only some kids toys and a few home made CD's, so maybe they listed it as a gift after I left. I guess I will find out next week when I gets delivered.

Posted by: Spakoyna

Quote:

Originally Posted by blucatz

I was never asked if it was a gift or not, just what was the value. I had the package store box it up for me and the seen what it was. It was only some kids toys and a few home made CD's, so maybe they listed it as a gift after I left. I guess I will find out next week when I gets delivered.

How was your package shipped? All overseas packages have to have some type of customs declaration form filled out and attached to the package.

Posted by: blucatz

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spakoyna

How was your package shipped? All overseas packages have to have some type of customs declaration form filled out and attached to the package.

It was shipped FedEx International. Actually, I just read the receipt and it says that there is not declared value, maybe I will get lucky. The customs form only stated what was in the package as toys and CDs.

Posted by: Spakoyna

Quote:

Originally Posted by blucatz

Sounds like you should be OK! Let us know if she receives everything OK.

Posted by: AkMike

I'll bet that you won't have any problems. We've done the same w/o any tax problems when it finally got there.

Posted by: blucatz

I don't know what was up with DHL, but FedEx is really pricey.

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Quote:

Originally Posted by blucatz

I don't know what was up with DHL, but FedEx is really pricey.

Try USPS or UPS. I've had good luck with both recently. You can track and get a signature with both.

Posted by: blucatz

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoingToRussia

Try USPS or UPS. I've had good luck with both recently. You can track and get a signature with both.

Was told by the Packaging place that UPS does not go to Omsk and that USPS does not have a trackable international shipping. Could they be wrong?

Posted by: GoingToRussia

I sent a package about 1 month ago to Moldova using USPS with tracking. She received with no problems, no taxes.

Posted by: blucatz

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoingToRussia

I sent a package about 1 month ago to Moldova using USPS with tracking. She received with no problems, no taxes.

I guess I will go directly to the Post office and ask them, I didn't think the Package store was right on that one. I kind of doubt their DHL story but have not heard differently.

Posted by: Spakoyna

Quote:

Originally Posted by blucatz

Was told by the Packaging place that UPS does not go to Omsk and that USPS does not have a trackable international shipping. Could they be wrong?

LOL! Registered and Express mail are trackable. I am trying to remember...seems it runs quite a bit behind the package! It does allow you to see when it begins it's wait in Moscow. I can't remember if we ever got confirmation of when a package was actually delivered though. Might not of checked because my wife usually finds out 1st hand!

Posted by: GoingToRussia

Yes with UPS they told me when it was delivered but with USPS my fiancee got the package before I was notified.