Moving personal possessions?

[Terry&Tigger 4]

Hello everyone!

Though we have just started our visa journey, my mind is already about six months ahead of time, deciding on the color of bedroom curtains and making arrangements that will be necessary for our relocation to the USA.

So, hence the questions: what did your fiancees use to ship their stuff from Russia - regular postal service ? DHL? Private carriers? Which ones? How much? How long? etc

We (me and my little daughter) would like to bring over a WHOLE lot of books, plus contents of a small toy shop, along with some clothing...

Any input is appreciated a lot,

Thanks for sharing in advance

[shikarnov 7]

Hello everyone!

Though we have just started our visa journey, my mind is already about six months ahead of time, deciding on the color of bedroom curtains and making arrangements that will be necessary for our relocation to the USA.

So, hence the questions: what did your fiancees use to ship their stuff from Russia - regular postal service ? DHL? Private carriers? Which ones? How much? How long? etc

We (me and my little daughter) would like to bring over a WHOLE lot of books, plus contents of a small toy shop, along with some clothing...

Any input is appreciated a lot,

Thanks for sharing in advance

I used to ship stuff back and forth to Russia quite often, and found Почта Россия to be intermittently unreliable and always slow. DHL is a lot more reliable, but a lot more expensive. I never tried any other carriers. Books are going to be heavy and expensive, so be prepared for some sticker shock.

You can find DHL Rates here:

http://www.dhl.ru/ru/express/shipping/get_rate_time.html (Russian)

http://www.dhl.ru/en/express/shipping/get_rate_time.html (English)

Also: If you're sending anything the other way -- from the US to Russia, be cautious about things that might trigger customs. Apparently there have been some issues as of late. http://en.rian.ru/russia/20100317/158222041.html

Good luck!

Edited May 10, 2010 by shikarnov

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Hello everyone!

Though we have just started our visa journey, my mind is already about six months ahead of time, deciding on the color of bedroom curtains and making arrangements that will be necessary for our relocation to the USA.

So, hence the questions: what did your fiancees use to ship their stuff from Russia - regular postal service ? DHL? Private carriers? Which ones? How much? How long? etc

We (me and my little daughter) would like to bring over a WHOLE lot of books, plus contents of a small toy shop, along with some clothing...

Any input is appreciated a lot,

Thanks for sharing in advance

We used a number of means. During our process I was traveling back and forth a lot. I always brought one suitcase inside another one (empty or with gifts I would leave there) and my belongings in a small carry on. Coming back the two big ones were full. I did 6 trips like this. We also sent personal belongings, mostly a lot of books, by private carrier, some less valuable items by Ukraine Post. We still have a flat in Ukraine, so we didn't take all that stuff. There is still a lot of books there, some clothes, all the furniture and all the kitchen stuff. Alla didn't even take all her clothes, but most of them. (Clothes are "almost free" here compared to Ukraine)

We are still taking things back and forth and she will take over 2 large suticases full this Staurday and bring back two large suitcases full when she returns.

[slim 1,523]

My wife brought her stuff with her on the plane. (One small bag with clothes, the other HUGE bag with books, shoes and cosmetics.) She's since ordered more books from a buddy over there and every few months we'll get a package mailed through the post office.

Post takes several months and isn't 100% reliable but it is fairly cheap. To be quite honest, it's going to cost you more than it's worth to get all that stuff over here. You could buy new toys and even books for the cost you could ship them. If they're "special" things and you need them, of course you can ship them. But, for a book collection or other heavy things - better to buy here.

[visaveteran 1]

My wife brought her stuff with her on the plane. (One small bag with clothes, the other HUGE bag with books, shoes and cosmetics.) She's since ordered more books from a buddy over there and every few months we'll get a package mailed through the post office.

Post takes several months and isn't 100% reliable but it is fairly cheap. To be quite honest, it's going to cost you more than it's worth to get all that stuff over here. You could buy new toys and even books for the cost you could ship them. If they're "special" things and you need them, of course you can ship them. But, for a book collection or other heavy things - better to buy here.

The same was true for my wife...she carried all she wanted to bring in her luggage, including one of those cheapo Chinese-made shoulder bags that she stuffed with an amazing amount of things. I remember when she arrived I grabbed her luggage and almost got a hernia. When we got home that bag basically fell apart but it made the trip and served its purpose. I was amazed at how much stuff she was able to cram into her limited luggage.

She does still maintain a flat in Russia, so when she recently went back to Russia she brought more stuff back with her. This may be a good strategy if it fits...bring the essentials first, then on later return trips bring more over.

I agree with Slim...if it gets too big and heavy and not of great sentimental value, have her sell it in Russia and buy new items over here.

Edited May 11, 2010 by visaveteran

[Terry&Tigger 4]

My wife brought her stuff with her on the plane. (One small bag with clothes, the other HUGE bag with books, shoes and cosmetics.) She's since ordered more books from a buddy over there and every few months we'll get a package mailed through the post office.

Post takes several months and isn't 100% reliable but it is fairly cheap. To be quite honest, it's going to cost you more than it's worth to get all that stuff over here. You could buy new toys and even books for the cost you could ship them. If they're "special" things and you need them, of course you can ship them. But, for a book collection or other heavy things - better to buy here.

slim,

I sure can buy my Garrison Keillor and J.D. Salinger and other English-language stuff over there... am not so sure about books in Russian.... especially Russian books for kids, with ADEQUATE pictures, and my books on translation\interpretation.

So, the luggage option being out of question due to perspective of traveling with a 3-year-old to Michigan in fall (lots of clothes for both of us need to be pushed into those suitcases), and post being not totally reliable, and DHL being kind of expensive... am still trying to find out about other ways to bring my books over to the US.

Thanks to everyone for sharing... keep talking

[Terry&Tigger 4]

I agree with Slim...if it gets too big and heavy and not of great sentimental value, have her sell it in Russia and buy new items over here.

Ummm... have her sell it? I actually AM her Thank you for your input anyway, though

[visaveteran 1]

Ummm... have her sell it? I actually AM her Thank you for your input anyway, though

Opps! Sorry, Make that "him."

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

slim,

I sure can buy my Garrison Keillor and J.D. Salinger and other English-language stuff over there... am not so sure about books in Russian.... especially Russian books for kids, with ADEQUATE pictures, and my books on translation\interpretation.

So, the luggage option being out of question due to perspective of traveling with a 3-year-old to Michigan in fall (lots of clothes for both of us need to be pushed into those suitcases), and post being not totally reliable, and DHL being kind of expensive... am still trying to find out about other ways to bring my books over to the US.

Thanks to everyone for sharing... keep talking

FYI we have no shortage of Russian language books available locally, even childrens books

[Terry&Tigger 4]

Opps! Sorry, Make that "him."

I meant I am the Russian female component of our couple :)Will think about selling some of the stuff here, thanks.