Current information as of June 2024. Please note that from April 1, 2023, due to the 10th package of EU sanctions against the Russian Federation, there have been changes in the description of the contents of parcels.
At the moment, the cheapest and most reliable option to send your personal belongings from Germany to Russia is, as before, regular parcels . Below are questions and answers about sending parcels via Russian Post/Deutche Post .
We are not considering all kinds of courier services at the moment. This option is more suitable for sending large items or urgent shipments.
QUESTION: Is it possible to send parcels and letters from Germany to Russia via German post or the “Russian store”? Do the parcels reach the addressee in Russia?
ANSWER: Yes, you can. Everything works as before. Parcels arrive regularly.
Despite sanctions and loud statements about ceasing work with Russia, DHL still accepts postal items to the Russian Federation. In fact, as before, all items and parcels, and letters that are handed over to the Deutsche Post offices are delivered to the Russian Post distribution center in Berlin and then sent on.
QUESTION: How long does it take for the parcel to arrive?
ANSWER: To Moscow and St. Petersburg 8-10 days, to Central Russia 10-14 days, to Siberia and other regions up to 21 days.
QUESTION: How to send a parcel or letter from Germany to Russia? And how much does it cost?
ANSWER: There are several options. The only slight difference is in price and service, whether you are more comfortable communicating in Russian or German.
Through Russian Post collection points, usually located in Russian-language stores. They pick up parcels every day. You can find out the nearest address on the website ruspost.eu or by phone +49 30 746 83 228 (Russian Post office in Berlin).
Deutsche Post or regular German post. You arrange to send the parcel via DHL “nach Russland”. In any case, the parcel goes to the Russian Post office in Berlin, but it is a couple of euros cheaper. If you register on the website dhl.de and print labels online, it is even cheaper.
The maximum parcel size in any case: 120 x 60 x 60 cm.
QUESTION: How detailed should the description of the contents of the parcel be?
Please note that from 1 April 2023, due to the 10th package of EU sanctions against the Russian Federation, there have been changes in the description of the contents of parcels. Read more here.
ANSWER: The customs declaration consists of general terms such as clothing, footwear, baby items, used items, sweets, tableware, etc.
For electrical goods, it is better to indicate the exact price. And it is very important to write that all items are used and note that this is a “gift”. Especially for power tools, auto parts. If you are sending any liquids, such as syrup, shampoo, then be sure to write so that there is no suspicion that this is alcohol (it is prohibited for shipment). Avoid the words “souvenirs”, “knives”, this may attract additional attention from the Russian customs.
QUESTION: How can I find out where my sent parcel is now?
ANSWER: Previously, the status of a parcel could be tracked via the Russian Post mobile app or directly on the website www.pochta.ru. But, today, due to known events, the website and app do not open from the territory of the European Union. From Russia, everything works fine.
You can use alternative tracking services, for example www.track24.ru/service/rupost/
QUESTION: What cannot be sent in a parcel?
ANSWER: Any alcohol, seeds and plants, batteries, expensive electronics (laptops, smartphones, microelectronics, photo and video equipment). More detailed information is available on the website of the Russian Post and the Customs Service of the Russian Federation.
All parcels at Russian customs go through a scanner, so there is no point in taking risks, especially with alcohol. The parcel may be returned to the sender or a fine may be imposed with the confiscation of the unauthorized item.
QUESTION: What cannot be sent in parcels due to EU sanctions against Russia?
ANSWER: Military and dual-use goods: binoculars, quadcopters, thermal imagers, etc.
Expensive electronics and “branded” items (clothes, bags) over 300 €. Due to the EU sanctions against Russia, German customs have stepped up their work and are now checking all shipments from Germany to Russia with a scanner. If a customs officer suddenly suspects that there are expensive items inside, he has the right to open the parcel. In this case, he evaluates the item based on a Google search; he is not interested in the actual purchase price. If the price is significantly higher than 300 €, it is simply confiscated in favor of the state. There have already been cases. There is no point in arguing, since the export of goods subject to EU sanctions is already a criminal case. Although the official documents on the bans indicate a threshold for electronics (computers, laptops) up to 750 €, in practice, Russian Post employees themselves advise not to exceed the threshold of 300 €.
QUESTION: How many parcels can be sent per month?
ANSWER: In practice and from experience, one parcel per week per person, weight up to 20 kg, passes without problems. If you send more often, there may be problems with customs.
Officially, the total value of all parcels sent per month must not exceed €1,000 per person. This rule is currently in effect temporarily until April 1, 2023, but will most likely be extended. The previous limit was no more than €200 per month per person. If the limit is exceeded, a fee of 15% of the value, but not less than €2 per 1 kg, will be required. for the excess.
That is, it does not matter who sends the parcels from Germany, it is important who the recipient is in Russia. The limit applies specifically to him. In addition, if you send many parcels to different people at the same time, but indicate the same address, this may also alert customs.
QUESTION: What to do if your parcel arrived in Russia with a customs notification?
ANSWER: This means that customs has questions about the contents of your parcel or the frequency of shipments. The parcel is in the post office (free for 10 days), but they will not give it to you without permission from customs.
What to do? First of all, go to the post office, they will give you documents indicating the reason why the parcel was delayed, and the address of the Customs Authority where you need to go. There you will need to fill out forms with an explanation and an indication of the cost of the items. The employees are usually loyal and often meet you halfway.
QUESTION: What advice do you have if I plan to send a lot of personal items in parcels?
ANSWER:
1. Do not put the same type of items in one parcel. For example, 5 pants of the same size, new with tags, can already be considered a commercial batch.
2. Do not send parcels to the same address more than once a week. If more often and the address is the same, but the names are different, this will also raise suspicion that business is being conducted.
3. Send equipment without original boxes and not more than 300 €. It is not recommended to send new iPhone 14, Playstation 5! With a high probability, German customs will confiscate the items as part of the sanctions fight.
4. In the customs declaration, indicate that all items are used and tick the box “gift”. And it is better not to estimate the value of the parcel more than 300 €.
5. For Russian customs, you can also write the contents of the parcel by hand in Russian on a separate sheet of paper and stick it on top of the parcel so that it is visible.
6. On the inventory form, fill in items by type to describe everything and keep it brief. Customs will have fewer questions when scanning your package.
IMPORTANT! All advice is based on collective experience and is advisory in nature.
