UPS, FedeX, DHL not shipping to Russia!!! WTF???

[eekee 182]

As said above, this only applies to packages. Russia has made it difficult for private carriers to send stuff from international internet stores to make more money from customs and to encourage domestic consumption. There are absolutely no problems with FedEx documents--I just got something last week and it only took a few days and there were no problems.

[Amy_and_Victor 159]

Russia has made it difficult for private carriers to send stuff from international internet stores to make more money from customs and to encourage domestic consumption.

I've heard about it from friends from Russia but still don't understand a real reasons. Domestic consumption values when it's actually something domestically made. Most of the things people order from international markets (like ebay, amazon etc.) are clothing, shoes, electronic gadgets, small household electronics, high quality sporting goods. There is barely anything of this list really made in Russia, almost everything anyway is imported from China (more rare - from Europe) by resellers. Yes, there is small amount of such things made in Russia, but very limited selection and often quality or appearance are terrible. So if it's not a support of manufacturers, then it can support only resellers and retailers. But that is no reason to support these greedy guys! The main reason people are ordering goods from international markets is that in Russian stores everything cost at least twice more than the same things I see for example in the US stores. Just because Russian resellers and retailers often think that if they can't make minimum 20-25% trade margin on item just for reselling it, this item doesn't worth to work with. And since every item going through a chain of a few resellers, it usually at least doubles up price. And after that Russian retail workers getting paid about $2-3 per hour. So support of these private companies who do not produce anything and simply making money by reselling the same goods people can order from international markets is ridiculously stupid. I personally don't really see as a reason making more money from customs because it's so small part of Russians actually ordering something from abroad, and it's such a limited select of merchandise (what would be possible to ship and shipping cost wouldn't eat all of the savings) that I don't think Russian government would even notice this difference in national budget, it's like a drop in a sea. Just one more stupid regulation made in Russia with no sense and to make life of usual people harder.

- Victor from Russia

[El Burro 11]

As said above, this only applies to packages. Russia has made it difficult for private carriers to send stuff from international internet stores to make more money from customs and to encourage domestic consumption. There are absolutely no problems with FedEx documents--I just got something last week and it only took a few days and there were no problems.

Don't know about Russia, but I just sent documents to Ukraine a few weeks ago via Fedex - no problems at all tracking it and it only took 3 days from my door to her door. What may seem to make USPS suck, is that the package/document is handed over to the local carrier after it crosses the border into the foreign country & then all bets are off, whereas with private carriers, it stays with the private carrier (or their contractor) the entire trip.

[Vicmvarela 0]

Don't know about Russia, but I just sent documents to Ukraine a few weeks ago via Fedex - no problems at all tracking it and it only took 3 days from my door to her door. What may seem to make USPS suck, is that the package/document is handed over to the local carrier after it crosses the border into the foreign country & then all bets are off, whereas with private carriers, it stays with the private carrier (or their contractor) the entire trip.

As of January 26 they suspended all deliveries to Russia from civilian to civilian. I called this morning and they said they loosened the customs procedure so that "only documents" could be sent. So that's a relief. And you're right about USPS, I used them before: No Bueno. It has uses for unimportant things like gifts and things like that but I wouldn't dream of sending something important or expensive that way. I have had things arrive fine, I've had things get lost and I've had things take 4 months when it should have been 2 weeks.

[baron555 934]

Of course the US Embassy is well aware of issues with sending materials into Russia. I'd email all documents and bring those to the interview; they will understand about your troubles. Email them ahead of time to inquire.

[Vicmvarela 0]

Of course the US Embassy is well aware of issues with sending materials into Russia. I'd email all documents and bring those to the interview; they will understand about your troubles. Email them ahead of time to inquire.

Actually they lifted the suspension on documents a few days ago. I sent my stuff today. I wanted to send a gift also but that is still forbidden. All is well now

[eekee 182]

Victor, people involved with customs and whatever were complaining that they had so much more work but were getting no extra money for it. And the new laws, besides the increase in customs tariffs, only affect private companies, not Pochta Rossiya, and most online stores use DHL, FedEx, etc. And obviously people are ordering because it's cheaper and aren't going to start buying Russian-made products, but it's still money staying in the country if you buy something at the mall instead of ordering online.