Boxberry - new courier shipping method from Shipito for shipping from USA to Russia

Shipito has finally offered a cheaper shipping method for customers from Russia. It is a courier service - Boxberry.

Boxberry offers very fast shipping 5-15 days, depending on your location in Russia. Damage + Delivery insurance is optional and available at extra cost.

Packages are picked up in the California warehouse of Shipito once a week, on Friday. Then they are delivered by air from Los Angeles (LAX airport) to Moscow (VKO airport), where Boxberry will take care of express customs clearance and delivery throughout Russia.

First pick up is on the 7th of November 2014. The shipping method is already available in the shipping calculator.

Boxberry shipping method is available in all Shipito warehouses. Packages from Tualatin, OR warehouse or Minden, NV warehouse will need additional 2-3 days to be transported to CA.

I have tried to compare prices and it appeared that Boxberry with insurance costs about the same as USPS Priority Mail International (EMS) without insurance. Note that Boxberry insurance is optional and quite pricey. I didn't have any problem to calculate the price for large 36x17x17 boxes that I used in the past. The only problem was that Boxberry doesn't allow the value of the goods to exceed $1000 USD.

UPS (United Parcel Service) has acquired i-parcel

i-parcel is a service allowing American and British merchants to localize their web-site, accept international payment method as well as international shipping to many countries of the world. On October 7, 2014 UPS announced the acquisition of i-parcel. Now the i-parcel web-site features both UPS and i-parcel

The largest US online retailer Amazon, as well as its subsidiary - Myhabit private shopping club - use the following international shipping methods:

• UPS courier service (AmazonGlobal Priority Shipping), 
• i-parcel (AmazonGlobal Expedited Shipping). 

It will be interesting to see whether the companies will start using each other assets as well as whether the prices will go down or not, whether the conditions will change or not. Also it is interesting whether UPS is considering to acquire the main rival of i-parcel - Borderfree (former FiftyOne).

Swaddling babies with Zipadee Zip and cheaper alternative

Zipadee Zip solution for swaddling babies was featured in the 1st episode of the 6th season of Shark Tank. Infants can startle and wake up themselves when their arms move freely. There are many people who can not swaddle babies properly and this prevents them and their babies from sleeping. Zipadee Zip wearable blanket is a simple solution to the problem. It uses a zipper, so you don't need to learn how to swaddle.

Video demonstration of how baby wakes himself/herself up (skip the first part of this promo video as it shows that someone didn't even try to swaddle the infant properly)



The wearable blanket costs 35 USD and is old via the official web-site only. You can't even find it on Amazon.

However Amazon offers a great alternative to Zipadee Zip - Summer Infant ComfortMe - and it is almost twice cheaper than Zipadee Zip.



Summer Infant offers swaddling solutions for 4 stages:

1. SwaddlePod, Simple Swaddle Solution
   Ideal for newborns, SwaddlePod creates a cozy womb-like feeling for baby and helps prevent the startle reflex that can wake baby. Simple and easy to use, just zip baby into the pod for a secure, comfortable fit.
2. SwaddleMe Adjustable Infant Wrap
   Wrap baby securely in SwaddleMe for a safer, better sleep. Extra soft, adjustable wings provide a perfect snug fit, even for wiggly babies. The secure design creates a cozy, womb-like feeling for baby and prevents the startle reflex that can wake up your infant. Designed with leading safe-sleep experts, SwaddleMe is trusted by parents around the globe.
3. WrapSack, Transitioning Swaddler & Wearable Blanket
   SwaddleMe WrapSack is the perfect 2-in-1 swaddler and sleep sack, providing a safer alternative to loose blankets in the crib. It comfortably swaddles baby’s arms while allowing for more leg room and movement. Baby can sleep with both arms in, both arms out, or one of each. Simple and easy to use, the WrapSack grows with baby as they learn to sleep without being swaddled.
4. ComfortMe Wearable Blanket
   The ComfortMe Wearable Blanket offers extended sleeves to keep baby’s arms warm and to give them a feeling of security and comfort as they learn to sleep through the night. In addition, the ComfortMe offers a bottom zipper to make diaper changes easy and keeps zipper pulls safely away from baby.