Russian Post Standard - a new way of delivering packages with lithiumbatteries to Russia by Shipito

Russian Post Standard via Berlin is a new service offered by Shipito in cooperation with Russian Post branch in Berlin.

Packages are first shipped by truck to New York Los Angeles, then by air courier to Berlin, and after that put on a train to Moscow from where it is delivered to local branch of Russian post office. Each package has a Russian Post tracking number which will start working after the packages arrives in Berlin and is cleared through EU.

Limitations:

• Weight limit is 20kg (44 lbs)


• No size can be longer than 105 cm (41 inches)


• Sum of all three sizes should not be more than 200 cm (78 inches)


• Dimensional weight applies


• Maximum value and insurance is $2,500


• Insurance rate for losses or damages is 3% of the product value

This shipping methods works the best for heavier and smaller packages (like 26"x13"x13", 18-20kg).

Delivery time: From Shipito warehouse to New York: 5-6 days. From New York to Berlin - 2-3 days.
From Shipito warehouse to Los Angeles: 2-3 days. From New York to Berlin: 2-3 days. From Berlin to larger western cities like Moscow or St. Petersburg: 2 weeks. For very remote areas, this can take up to 5 weeks. The total time to deliver is then 3 to 7 weeks. Speed of delivery is not guaranteed and depends on Russian Post.

Currently available only in California warehouses. First shipment will be sent once Shipito has at least 1000 lbs. Once Shipito sends the first shipment they might wait for your feedback, before this becomes a permanent option.
As of December 2013, Russia Post Standard shipping method is available in California, Oregon and Nevada warehouses. The fastest mail out is from California warehouses as the plain is leaving from Los Angeles to Berlin (direct flight).

I've checked the cost of the new shipping method using the Shipito calculator for my last package (37.5 lbs, 36"x17"12") and found pretty interesting rates:



Please note that the dimensional weight applies.

Shipito recommends to use the Russia Post Standard shipping method, because it is the safest shipping method based on the number of insurance claims (just few claims in 2013).

Personally I still use USPS Priority Mail Express International (former USPS Express Mail International) for most of my packages:

• Examples of fees charged by USPS Express Mail and Shipito shipping forwarder in 2013 for sending packages from the United States to Russia
• Examples of fees charged by USPS Express Mail and Shipito shippingforwarder in 2012 for sending packages from USA to Russian Federation
• Some samples on how much it costs to send packages/parcels to Russia using USPS and Shipito (2010-2011)

This is due to the fact that the Russian Standard Post shipping method is very slow, is not offered in the Oregon warehouse and is not cheaper than USPS Express Mail International. Lack of alternatives to USPS (like SPSR Express) is one of the main reasons for customers from Russia to avoid Shipito. Other parcel forwarders shipping to Russia offer much better and cheaper services than Shipito. Although I must admit that I haven't found anything cheaper and better than Shipito for other countries of the world.