I am looking into sending a small package to my lady in Kurgan, and am dismayed at the cost and complications of shipping stuff there. A 2 or 3 pound package was quoted bu UPS, FedEx and DHL as around 150 $ (from the East Coast of United States) and there are limitations on the value of what you can send, DHL actually only allows documents (pretty pointless), FedEX only up to 30$, and UPS seems to be ok with 100$, which ismore reasonable. Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Also, conversely, if these rates of shipping are indicative, what does the situation look like once the relationship progressed to the point of the lady coming to the US. Here you can call up services that move your whole household, over there it's probably nothing of the sort. Are they limited to what they can take with them on the plane?
I always use express mail of USPS it is usually twice cheaper than ups and fedex, but the same service. do not put value on the package more than $100, or she will have to pay custom taxes. so, use postal service.
jjbarrier, also if you use USPS buy don't forget to buy insurance for your package. Lots of stuff gets stolen over there and if you won't have a tracking number, the thieves' job is mcuh easier.
I've spent time overseas, and my company had my stuff shipped using international moving service. You might be able to use an international moving service located here to move her stuff from Russia. Do a google search, type "international moving service", you'll find something. My lady lived with her parents, so she only brought here a medium size bag with her clothes.
JJ,
Why worry about full fledge moving?
Don't you know that universally, when a woman moves to another home the first thing she wants is new furniture?...:))
she may need specialized assitance if she is trying to move a pet to another country, though.
I used USPS with insurance a couple of time without any problems. The packages arrived in the same time FedEx and DHL had estimated and it cost 1/3 of what they wanted.
I was wondering how I was going to send a Christmas present. I am worried about them opening up the packages though. If it is wrapped in Christmas paper then it is going to get ripped up. Any thoughts?
do not put insurance more than 100$. she will have to pay custom fees. usps is insured by default for 500 I think. I have sent hundred of packages, no one get lost. I had two cases when it took them 1 months to deliver. but they did not loose it. Russian mail treats express mail as registered mail, they deliver it hands to hands usually. they do not open all packages.
Thanks for all the input, I guess I'll take my chances with USPS. I was also worrying about the wrapping, would be a shame if it comes on all messed up after the effort I put into it. As for furniture, I wasn't thinking about that, but just to think about clothing - usually women have at least twice the amount of what men have, that alone would break the bank if I had UPS take care of that.
Thanks again.