Best method to ship documents and photos to Russia?

[Olya&Bill 0]

thanks to the great information here, including the Forums,

I haven't needed to ask anything before.

but now, i need to know the fastest safest method to ship documents and photos to Russia.

DHL, FedEx, or USPS express mail?

I was hoping to mail the final documents today (Sept 16).

(this includes the "original" documents, in case they are asked for.)

I've only used US Postal Service before now.

she lives in a small city south of Ekaterinburg (Miass).

She will probably leave for Moscow on Sept 26, and has interview on Sept 29.

(i could mail the packages to Moscow, except i won't have the address there,

from "Russian Girl Friday" until Monday. I'm thinking i should wait until Monday,

since it would probably take at least 3 days to get from Moscow to her city anyway...)

Happy to hear any advice / suggestions.

= = =

(also, to explain the poor planning:

1) we planned on her quitting work, as soon as we got the NOA2 (23 August).

We were planning on Oct 7 for interview.

but, her Pharmacy director, REFUSED to sign her "2 weeks notice".

(and threatened to cost her her entire pension, etc.)

she started her vacation on 12 Sept. but has to return to work in Oct.

(until Oct 20th. When hopefullys she will finally be free...)

so, She selected 29 Sept. for interview.

2) we were trying to contact "Russian Girl Friday", without response.

Then, the day we finally heard back, Olya's computer died.

(hopefully, it will be back from shop today. but the timing...)

"Girl Friday" said she thinks she has a place for Olya to stay,

but she can't give me the address until Monday...

thanks again to all, for all i learned her, and any future help.

[sea-monkey 13]

I wouldn't rely on USPS to get it there on time even if it is Express Mail Service. My last two times with USPS EMS service did arrive in 7 days to the center of Moscow but they have not been so speedy in the past.

[baron555 934]

I wouldn't rely on USPS to get it there on time even if it is Express Mail Service. My last two times with USPS EMS service did arrive in 7 days to the center of Moscow but they have not been so speedy in the past.

I always used FedEx. I could track the shipment as it went from terminal to terminal and never had an issue.

Money was not an issue since it was part of the plan and process of getting my beloved and little son over here so we could be together forever.

[sofya 10]

I always used FedEx. I could track the shipment as it went from terminal to terminal and never had an issue.

Money was not an issue since it was part of the plan and process of getting my beloved and little son over here so we could be together forever.

DHL is the most expensive, but it works well. I don't trust FedEx too much, it always took 7 days to ship docs meant for 2-3 day delivery to my hometown south of Moscow. If you choose FedEx, ship to a big city.

[Neonred 3,641]

I used DHL twice a few years ago and both times there were problems. Took 10+ days both times. The good news was after I complained they refunded the charges. Since then I have used FedEx with no problems.

[slim 1,530]

I've had great success with USPS Global Express. Less than 1/2 the price of the others and service seemed to be just as fast since the ball doesn't get dropped on this side. I used it a couple times during the process and had no problems.

[Dave&Roza 748]

Airline ticket, visa, passport,and carry-on bag is the fastest and safest, but the most expensive. Of course it does have the advantage you are with your fiancee . I used FedEX to ship to Kazakhstan. The only problems I had was if I forgot to fill out the customs forms, but I was able to e-mail them to the local shipping office and the package was released from customs. FedEx always said it would take 5-7 days and it did. I was shipping to a major city so I am not sure how they will do to the smaller cities. I used USPS Global Express once and it worked just as well, but it did take a few extra day (I think it was around 10 days but that could have been customs again).

Good luck with the up coming interview,

Dave

Edited September 17, 2011 by Dave&Roza

[eekee 182]

I have always used fedex. I have never had anything lost with the Russian Postal Service, but I still don't trust it 100%.

[Dustin C 12]

In my experience for sending little gifts and such, I never had a problem (yet) shipping to Odessa, Ukraine via the U.S. Postal Service in a flat rate box from Ohio.

Today though, I just sent my I-134 and other supporting docs for the interview via FedEx with the package weighing around 6 pounds and costing $343... Ouch...

[sea-monkey 13]

I sent a package last week with USPS Express Mail service. Took 8 total days to the center of Moscow.

Last 3 packages with USPS EMS:

7 days

7 days

8 days

[Misha & Ira 113]

Airline ticket, visa, passport,and carry-on bag is the fastest and safest, but the most expensive. Of course it does have the advantage you are with your fiancee . [deleted text]

My preferred method

[daryl&lada 8]

I sent a package via EMS USPS Nov. 7th and it was processed through customs Nov.12th. It still has not arrived at it's final destination in Russia. I figure it will be 10 days or so for it to arrive. I am in no big rush, but will feel better once it arrives at it's final destination safely.

[baron555 934]

I always used FedEx and the cost was never an issue.......worry about cost to get my young blond Russian hottie over to me? Why is there a question here?

[daryl&lada 8]

I sent a package via EMS USPS Nov. 7th and it was processed through customs Nov.12th. It still has not arrived at it's final destination in Russia. I figure it will be 10 days or so for it to arrive. I am in no big rush, but will feel better once it arrives at it's final destination safely.

Package arrived at the post office on Nov. 18th.