Ukrainian wife has 2-year green card, being told she can't ship her belongings to the US unless she surrenders Ukraine passport. Seriously?

[Barry and Mila 5]

I know things are crazy in the Ukraine right now (and pretty much all the time), but that's what she's being told. Should she believe that? Anyone have evidence to the contrary? She is telling me that she will not be allowed to ship her household goods to the US unless she surrenders her Ukrainian passport, and presumably her citizenship. Normally I'd say this strikes me as absolutely bizarre, but in present-day Ukraine bizarre is the new normal.

Any thoughts? Experience? Evidence to the contrary? Web links? Advice for clever workarounds? As always, tips of any sort appreciated.

--Barry

[EM_Vandaveer 2,408]

That's stupid. She cannot surrender her only citizenship. Is she supposed to become stateless?

[ch3john 308]

Deleted original response. Sorry for the confusion

Edited October 25, 2016 by ch3john

[Barry and Mila 5]

That's stupid. She cannot surrender her only citizenship. Is she supposed to become stateless?

You're right, I misspoke. She is being told she must surrender her passport. I added the part about citizenship, but of course that can't be right. And perhaps she means her internal passport. Ukrainian citizens have two: One for internal travel and identification, one for international travel. Will find out more and repost.

-Barry

[JeffandTanya 30]

I know things are crazy in the Ukraine right now (and pretty much all the time), but that's what she's being told. Should she believe that? Anyone have evidence to the contrary? She is telling me that she will not be allowed to ship her household goods to the US unless she surrenders her Ukrainian passport, and presumably her citizenship. Normally I'd say this strikes me as absolutely bizarre, but in present-day Ukraine bizarre is the new normal.

Any thoughts? Experience? Evidence to the contrary? Web links? Advice for clever workarounds? As always, tips of any sort appreciated.

--Barry

That is pretty crazy, who told her that? We recently shipped a good size box from Ukraine and the only thing anyone cares about is getting paid for shipping and the US for customs. I will say only ship the stuff that is absolutely sentimental or necessary, because shipping and customs gets expensive. Shipping to Ukraine via Meest is pretty easy, but coming back is tougher. We had to pay extra twice after it was shipped from Ukraine to the US. But, people ship stuff both ways all the time and no one asks to keep their passports. Maybe someone who wants to keep her stuff told her that.

[Amy_and_Victor 159]

I hardly believe in that, sounds like a rumor. Who did tell her such things?

- Victor from Russia

[millefleur 5,047]

She doesn't have to surrender her passport to postal workers. It makes no sense, not even by Eastern European standards. Doesn't matter if it's her internal or foreign passport...neither of them should just be revoked by someone at random.

[Barry and Mila 5]

OK, all straightened out, she doesn't have to surrender her passport. She was just freaking out because Ukraine is falling apart and is hopelessly corrupt. Thanks to all for your advice.

[TBoneTX 45,659]

Good to hear in regard to her passport. Thread is now locked.