How much it cost to ship a package to Russia from the USA via Shipito, Qwintry, Mainbox and Shopfans parcel forwarders (USPS vs. courier service) in 2014

I've been using Shipito parcel forwarder for shipping to Russia for more than 3 years. I posted detailed fees that I paid for shipping via USPS Priority Mail International and USPS Priority Mail Express International (former USPS Express Mail International) in 2010-2011, 2012 and 2013.

But the competition among parcel forwarders shipping to Russia is amazing. So no wonder that many companies offer much lower shipping rates and much better service at the same time when shipping to Russia. Unfortunately this is not the case for many other countries where using Shipito is still one of the best ways to get a decent service and cheap rates.

The first alternative I've decided to test was a new Russian parcel forwarder Mainbox. It offers fast courier service delivery to Russia. Besides speed it has lots of other benefits. One of them is that unlike Shipito you don't need to pay any monthly or annual fees to have an account with Mainbox. When shipping my Dell XPS all-in-one computer and Sony A7 mirrorless camera I decided to avoid state postal service by all means. Moreover I needed to test my computer and camera before shipping them to Russia. Mainbox tested Dell XPS, checked dead pixels on the  screen for only $3. The camera focusing and lack of scratches on the lense and display were also done only for $3! Standard Mainbox shipping is fast enough, so there is no need to use express shipping.

It costed me $289 to ship a 19kg 77x62x32cm package with my Dell XPS computer to Russia by Mainbox.

 

Mainbox fee structure in 2014:

• Package Location: Bear, Delaware (no sales tax location)
  19 kg
  77x62x32cm
  Mailout fee: $0
  Repacking fee: $0 (no packages consolidated)
  Postage: $286 ($28 for the first kilogramm, $12 for every additional kg)
  (Carrier) ($286)
  (Bank fee) ($0)
  Insurance: $0 (included into postage)
  Alternative shipping methods offered by Mainbox for delivering this package to Russia:
  • Express shipping
    Postage: $342 ($41 for the first kilogram, $14 for every additional kg)
  Total per 1 kg of gross weight: $15.2
  TOTAL: $289
• Package Location: Bear, Delaware (no sales tax location)
  1,44 kg
  31x25x22cm
  Delivery time: 8 days
  Mailout fee: $0
  Repacking fee: $0 (no packages consolidated)
  Postage: $44 ($30 for the first kilogramm, $14 for every additional kg)
  (Carrier) ($44)
  Bank fee $1.21 (1724.80 RUR ~ $50.21 was charged by Uniteller instead of $49 for filling the account in RUR. The option of filling the account in USD by Paypal was not available.)
  Insurance: $0 (included into postage)
  Testing working condition (optional): $3
  Using no sales tax warehouse: $2
  Total per 1 kg of gross weight: $34.87
  TOTAL: $50.21

Besides testing Mainbox, I still use Shipito for delivering packages to Russia via USPS Priority Mail Express International.



Shipito fee structure 2014

• Package Location: Tualatin, Oregon (no sales tax location)
  33.30 lbs (15.1 kg)
  36"x17"x14" (92x44x35 cm)
  Mailout fee: $18.50 ($10 extra fee for packages over 30 lbs)
  Repacking fee: $26.00 (13 packages consolidated)
  Postage: $225.21
  (Carrier) ($215.93)
  (Bank fee 4.3%) ($9.28)
  Insurance: $0 (no insurance)
  Alternative shipping methods offered by Shipito for delivering this package to Russia:
  
  
  
  • USPS Express Mail (5-6 business days)
    Postage: $218.66
    Insurance: $18.91 (optional)
    TOTAL: $237.57
  
  
  • Airmail Priority (8-20 business days)
    Postage: $343.09
    Insurance: not available
    Tracking is not available
    TOTAL: $343.09
  
  
  • Russian Post Standard (3-6 weeks)
    Postage: $243.76
    Insurance: $40.13 (optional)
    TOTAL: $283.89
  
  Total per 1 kg of gross weight: $17.86
  Total Shipito fees (not including USPS shipping, insurance and Shipito monthly fee): $53.78
  TOTAL: $269.71
  Shipito service plan: Old Virtual Mailbox ($100 / year, available for old customers only)


• Package Location: Tualatin, Oregon (no sales tax location)
  22.40 lbs (10.16 kg)
  27"x13"x13" (69x34x34 cm)
  Mailout fee: $8.50
  Repacking fee: $38.00 (19 packages consolidated)
  Postage: $137.37
  (Carrier) ($131.71)
  (Bank fee 4.3%) ($5.66)
  Insurance: $0 (no insurance)
  Extra security tape: $2
  Alternative shipping methods offered by Shipito for delivering this package to Russia:
  
  
  
  • USPS Express Mail (5-6 business days)
    Postage: $135.42
    Insurance: $17.79 (optional)
    TOTAL: $153.21
  
  
  • Airmail Priority (20-40 business days)
    Postage: $220.95
    Insurance: not available
    Tracking is not available
    TOTAL: $220.95
  
  
  • USPS Priority Mail (6-10 business days)
    Postage: $141.26
    Insurance: $29.43 (optional)
    TOTAL: $188.59
  
  
  • Russian Post Standard (3-4 weeks)
    Postage: $150.95
    Insurance: $37.64 (optional)
    TOTAL: $283.89
  
  
  • SPSR Express (8-15 business days)
    Postage: $186.76
    Insurance: $47.64 (optional)
    TOTAL: $234.4
  
  Total per 1 kg of gross weight: $18.29
  Total Shipito fees (not including USPS shipping, insurance and Shipito monthly fee): $54.16
  TOTAL: $185.87
  Shipito service plan: Old Virtual Mailbox ($100 / year, available for old customers only)
• Package Location: Tualatin, Oregon (no sales tax location)
  38.50 lbs (17.46 kg)
  36"x17"x14" (92x44x35 cm)
  Mailout fee: $18.50 ($10 extra fee for packages over 30 lbs)
  Repacking fee: $34.00 (17 packages consolidated)
  Postage: $201.42
  (Carrier) ($193.12)
  (Bank fee 4.3%) ($8.30)
  Insurance: $0 (no insurance)
  Alternative shipping methods offered by Shipito for delivering this package to Russia:
  
  
  • USPS Express Mail (5-6 business days)
    Postage: $190.39
    Insurance: $18.86 (optional)
    TOTAL: $217.44
  
  
  • Russian Post Standard (3-4 weeks)
    Postage: $237.94
    Insurance: $40.02 (optional)
    TOTAL: $288.19
  
  Total per 1 kg of gross weight: $14.6
  Total Shipito fees (not including USPS shipping, insurance and Shipito monthly fee): $61.8
  TOTAL: $254.92
  Shipito service plan: Old Virtual Mailbox ($100 / year, available for old customers only)


• Package Location: Tualatin, Oregon (no sales tax location)
  30.90 lbs (14.01 kg)
  36"x17"x13" (92x44x32 cm)
  Mailout fee: $18.50 (extra $10 fee for packages over 30 lbs)
  Repacking fee: $36.00 (18 packages consolidated)
  Postage: $169.41
  (Carrier) ($162.43)
  (Bank fee 4.3%) ($6.98)
  Insurance: $0 (no insurance)
  Extra security tape: $2
  Total per 1 kg of gross weight: $16.12
  Total Shipito fees (not including USPS shipping, insurance and Shipito monthly fee): $63.48
  TOTAL: $225.91
  Shipito service plan: Old Virtual Mailbox ($100 / year, available for old customers only)


• Package Location: Tualatin, Oregon (no sales tax location)
  27.70 lbs (12.56 kg)
  36"x17"x13" (92x44x34 cm)
  Mailout fee: $8.50
  Repacking fee: $22.00 (11 packages consolidated)
  Postage: $155.16
  (Carrier) ($148.76)
  (Bank fee 4.3%) ($6.40)
  Insurance: $0 (no insurance)
  Extra security tape: $2
  Total per 1 kg of gross weight: $14.94
  Total Shipito fees (not including USPS shipping, insurance and Shipito monthly fee): $38.9
  TOTAL: $187.66
  Shipito service plan: Old Virtual Mailbox ($100 / year, available for old customers only)


• Package Location: Tualatin, Oregon (no sales tax location)
  14.10 lbs (6.39 kg)
  17"×13"×13" (44×34×34 cm)
  Mailout fee: $8.50
  Repacking fee: $12.00 (6 packages consolidated)
  Postage: $103.82
  (Carrier) ($99.54)
  (Bank fee 4.3%) ($4.28)
  Insurance: $0 (no insurance)
  Extra security tape: $2
  Total per 1 kg of gross weight: $19.77
  Total Shipito fees (not including USPS shipping, insurance and Shipito monthly fee): $26.78
  TOTAL: $126.32
  Shipito service plan: Old Virtual Mailbox ($100 / year, available for old customers only)

I also decided to test Qwintry parcel forwarder for shipping to Russia via USPS. It has a warehouse in the no sales tax location in Delaware, so I was wondering whether it will be faster and cheaper to send the package from the East coast (rather than the West coast in case of Shipito). Moreover Qwintry doesn't have any subscription fees, not does it charge for incoming packages as well as package consolidation.

Qwintry fee structure in 2014:

• Shipping method: USPS Priority Mail Express International (EMS) Package Location: Newark, Delaware (no sales tax location)
  33.16 lb (15.04 kg)
  18x18x22 inches (46x46x56 cm)
  Mailout fee: $0
  Processing incoming packages: $0
  Repacking fee: $0 (no packages consolidated)
  Packagin materials: $8
  Postage: $201.60
  Insurance: $0 (optional)
  Total per 1 kg of gross weight: $14.14
  TOTAL: $212.60

When shipping my Yamaha digital piano, using state post was not and option due to size limitations of the USPS. Mainbox wasn't able to ship this package due to the large size. So I decided to test Shopfans Express courier service for shipping Yamaha P155 to Russia.

Shopfans Express fee structure in 2014:

• Shipping method: Shopfans Express (no other options available for a package of this size) Package Location: Claymont, Delaware (no sales tax location)
  57 lbs 5 oz
  Mailout fee: $0
  Processing incoming packages: $0 (via coupon code SFXZERO)
  Repacking fee: $0 (no packages consolidated)
  Postage: $309,05
  (Carrier) ($298,6)
  (Bank fee) ($10,45)
  Insurance: $0 (optional)
  Total per 1 kg of gross weight: $11.89
  TOTAL: $309,05

Links:

• Shipito
• Qwintry
• Mainbox
• Shopfans

See also:

• How much it cost to ship a package to Russia from the USA via Qwintry parcel forwarder in 2015

News about Shipito Airmail shipping method

Starting January, 31 for warehouses in California and soon coming to Oregon location, Shipito Airmail Express will be available to almost all countries in the Shipito shipping calculator.

1. For lighter packages it will be cheaper than it is now. The exact price differences depends on the destination, but most packages under 20 lbs will be less expensive than it is now.


2. You will get the actual tracking number at the moment of mailout from our warehouse, there will be no waiting until package arrives to Belgium.


3. Process is still similar, packages will be transported to Belgium and then shipped with tracking to the final destination, but due to the improved infrastructure, the whole process should be faster.


4. Airmail Economy maximum weight will be limited to 4.4 lbs (if you already have heavier package selected for Airmail Economy, it will be still shipped using the old Economy method). No more confusion about Airmail Economy sometimes shipped as EMS.

Additionally:

• No lithium battery restrictions.


• Dimensional weight is not used. This is extremely important as most of packages by DHL, Fedex, TNT are charged as DIM weight.


• Airmail Priority service stays unchanged

Update (November 06, 2013)
Shipito Airmail can no longer be used for shipping lithium batteries

Examples of fees charged by USPS Express Mail and Shipito shipping forwarder in 2013 for sending packages from the United States to Russia

I'm continuing to post detailed fee structure for sending my packages from the United States of America to Russia. The fees of both Shipito and USPS grow every year, so you may find it useful to compare the figures from my previous post for 2010-2011 and 2012. This article will be updated each time I send a new package from the USA to Russia via Shipito throughout 2013. You may also read about my packages sent in 2014.

Shipito fee structure 2013

• Package Location: Tualatin, OR
  10.80 lbs (4.9 kg)
  19"x14"x7" (49x36x18 cm)
  USPS Express Mail International
  Mailout fee: $8.50
  Repacking fee: $16.00 (8 packages consolidated)
  Postage: $104.58
  (Carrier) ($100.27)
  (Bank fee 4.3%) ($4.31)
  Insurance: $30.32 (3% delivery + damage insurance; higher than normal insurance rate because the package contains jewerly, a watch or a cell phone)
  Alternative shipping methods offered by Shipito for delivering this package to Russia:
  
  
  
  • USPS Express Mail (5-6 business days)
    Postage: $104.58
    Insurance: $30.32
    TOTAL: $134.9
  
  
  • USPS Priority Mail (6-10 business days)
    Postage: $88.23
    Insurance: $41.95
    TOTAL: $130.18
  
  
  • Airmail Economy (15-30 business days)
    Postage: $102.56
    insurance not available
    Tracking is not available
    TOTAL: $115.1
  
  
  • Airmail Priority (8-20 business days)
    Postage: $113.14
    Insurance: $60.16
    Tracking is not available
    TOTAL: $173.3
  
  
  • Airmail Express (15 business days)
    Postage: $104.58
    Insurance: $60.16
    TOTAL: $164.74
  
  Total per 1 kg of gross weight: $32.53
  Total Shipito fees (not including USPS shipping, insurance and Shipito monthly fee): $28.81
  TOTAL: $159.4
  Shipito service plan: Old Virtual Mailbox ($100 / year, available for old customers only)


• Package Location: Tualatin, OR
  14.30 lbs (6.49 kg)
  17"x13"x13" (42x34x32 cm)
  Mailout fee: $8.50
  Repacking fee: $18.00 (9 packages consolidated)
  Postage: $130.40
  (Carrier) ($125.02)
  (Bank fee 4.3%) ($5.38)
  Insurance: $23.97 (3% delivery + damage insurance; higher than normal insurance rate because the package contains jewerly, a watch or a cell phone)
  Alternative shipping methods offered by Shipito for delivering this package to Russia:
  
  
  
  • USPS Express Mail (5-6 business days)
    Postage: $130.4
    Insurance: $23.97
    TOTAL: $154.37
  
  
  • USPS Priority Mail (6-10 business days)
    Postage: $113.93
    Insurance: $33.44
    TOTAL: $147.37
  
  
  • Airmail Economy (15-30 business days)
    Postage: $135.7
    insurance not available
    Tracking is not available
    TOTAL: $145.54
  
  
  • Airmail Priority (8-20 business days)
    Postage: $149.7
    Insurance: $49.35
    Tracking is not available
    TOTAL: $199.05
  
  
  • Airmail Express (15 business days)
    Postage: $130.4
    Insurance: $49.35
    TOTAL: $179.75
  
  Total per 1 kg of gross weight: $27.87
  Total Shipito fees (not including USPS shipping, insurance and Shipito monthly fee): $31.88
  TOTAL: $180.87
  Shipito service plan: Old Virtual Mailbox ($100 / year, available for old customers only)


• Package Location: Tualatin, OR
  24.50 lbs (11.11 kg)
  26"x13"x13" (67x34x34 cm)
  USPS Express Mail International
  Mailout fee: $8.50
  Repacking fee: $20.00 (10 packages consolidated)
  Postage: $180.30
  (Carrier) ($172.87)
  (Bank fee 4.3%) ($7.43)
  Insurance: $10.04
  Total per 1 kg of gross weight: $19.70
  Total Shipito fees (not including USPS shipping, insurance and Shipito monthly fee): $28.5
  TOTAL: $218.84
  Shipito service plan: Old Virtual Mailbox ($100 / year, available for old customers only)


• Package Location: Tualatin, OR
  54.70 lbs (24.81 kg)
  36"x17"x17" (92x44x44 cm)
  USPS Express Mail International
  Mailout fee: $18.50 ($10 extra surcharge for heavy packages over 30 pounds)
  Repacking fee: $30.00 (15 packages consolidated)
  Postage: $330.03
  (Carrier) ($316.42)
  (Bank fee 4.3%) ($13.61)
  Insurance: $17.21
  Alternative shipping methods offered by Shipito for delivering this package to Russia:
  
  
  
  • USPS Express Mail (5-6 business days)
    Postage: $330.03 ($316.42 without bank fees)
    Insurance: $17.21
    TOTAL: $347.24
  
  
  • Airmail Priority (20-40 business days)
    Postage: $571.7 ($548.13 without bank fees)
    insurance not available
    Tracking is not available
    TOTAL: $608.05
  
  
  • Airmail Express (15 business days)
    Postage: $330.03 ($316.42 without bank fees)
    Insurance: $46.35
    TOTAL: $376.38
  Total per 1 kg of gross weight: $15.95
  Total Shipito fees (not including USPS shipping, insurance and Shipito monthly fee): $48.5
  TOTAL: $395.74
  Shipito service plan: Old Virtual Mailbox ($100 / year, available for old customers only)
• Package Location: Tualatin, OR
  18.50 lbs (8.39 kg)
  26"x13"x13" (67x34x34 cm)
  USPS Priority Mail Express
  Mailout fee: $8.50
  Repacking fee: $12.00 (6 packages consolidated)
  Postage: $150.36
  (Carrier) ($144.16)
  (Bank fee 4.3%) ($6.20)
  Insurance: n/a
  Total per 1 kg of gross weight: $20.36
  Total Shipito fees (not including USPS shipping, insurance and Shipito monthly fee): $20.5
  TOTAL: $170.86
  Shipito service plan: Old Virtual Mailbox ($100 / year, available for old customers only)
• Package Location: Tualatin, OR
  28.50 lbs (12.92 kg)
  36"x17"x11" (92x44x27 cm)
  USPS Priority Mail Express
  Mailout fee: $8.50
  Repacking fee: $12.00 (6 packages consolidated)
  Postage: $200.27
  (Carrier) ($192.01)
  (Bank fee 4.3%) ($8.26)
  Insurance: $16.54
  Total per 1 kg of gross weight: $18.37
  Total Shipito fees (not including USPS shipping, insurance and Shipito monthly fee): $28.76
  TOTAL: $237.31
  Shipito service plan: Old Virtual Mailbox ($100 / year, available for old customers only)


• Package Location: Tualatin, OR
  37.00 lbs (16.78 kg)
  36"x17"x13" (92x44x34 cm)
  USPS Express Mail International
  Mailout fee: $18.50 ($10 surcharge for shipping packages over 30 lbs)
  Repacking fee: $26.00 (13 packages consolidated)
  Postage: $240.19
  (Carrier) ($230.29)
  (Bank fee 4.3%) ($9.90)
  Insurance: $0 (no insurance)
  Total per 1 kg of gross weight: $16.97
  Total Shipito fees (not including USPS shipping, insurance and Shipito monthly fee): $54.4
  TOTAL: $284.69
  Shipito service plan: Old Virtual Mailbox ($100 / year, available for old customers only)
• Package Location: Tualatin, OR
  44.70 lbs (20.27 kg)
  59"x14"x10" (149x35x25 cm)
  USPS Express Mail International
  Mailout fee: $18.50 ($10 surcharge for shipping packages over 30 lbs)
  Repacking fee: $30.00 (15 packages consolidated)
  Postage: $278.13
  (Carrier) ($267.22)
  (Bank fee 4.3%) ($10.91)
  Discount: -$13.43 (USPS Express 5% Discount from Tualatin warehouse for Silver clients) Insurance: $16.14
  Total per 1 kg of gross weight: $16.67
  Total Shipito fees (not including USPS shipping, insurance and Shipito monthly fee): $53.95
  TOTAL: $337.84
  Shipito service plan: Old Virtual Mailbox ($100 / year, available for old customers only)
• Package Location: Tualatin, OR
  22.60 lbs (10.25 kg)
  26"x13"x13" (67x34x34 cm)
  USPS Priority Mail Express International (EMS)
  Mailout fee: $8.50
  Repacking fee: $22.00 (11 packages consolidated)
  Postage: $169.12
  (Carrier) ($162.48)
  (Bank fee 4.3%) ($6.64)
  Insurance: none
  Discount: -$8.16
  Alternative shipping methods offered by Shipito for delivering this package to Russia:
  
  
  
  • USPS Express Mail (5-6 business days)
    Postage: $170.32
    Insurance: $16.68 (optional)
    Discount: -$8.52 (Silver status)
    TOTAL: $187
  
  
  • USPS Priority Mail (6-10 business days)
    Postage: $151.1
    Insurance: $27.66 (optional)
    TOTAL: $178.76
  
  
  • Russian Post Standard (3-6 weeks)
    Postage: $151.49
    Insurance: $35.18 (optional)
    TOTAL: $186.67
  
  
  • Airmail Priority (20-40 business days)
    Postage: $238.2
    insurance not available
    Tracking is not available
    TOTAL: $238.2
  
  
  • Airmail Express (15 business days)
    Postage: $170.32
    Insurance: $45.18 (optional)
    TOTAL: $215.5
  
  Total per 1 kg of gross weight: $18.68
  Total Shipito fees (not including USPS shipping, insurance and Shipito monthly fee): $20.82
  TOTAL: $191.46
  Shipito service plan: Old Virtual Mailbox ($100 / year, available for old customers only)

Do you use Shipito or any other shipping forwarder? If you do, are you satisfied with its fees and service? How much did it cost you to send you package?

USPS will not allow to ship ANY Lithium battery after May 7. That meansno iPhones, cell phones, iPads, Kindles or notebooks.

USPS will not want to ship any lithium battery after May 7, 2012. That means USPS will not ship any iPhones, cell phones, iPads, Kindle or notebooks to international destinations (including APO, FPO and DPO locations).

Background:

Under current rules of various international agencies, including the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU), lithium batteries cannot be sent as mail matter on international commercial air transportation.

In keeping with these requirements, the Postal Service must maintain standards prohibiting the carriage of lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries in postal shipments sent on commercial aircraft to international destinations, including to and from APO, FPO and DPO locations. On May 7, 2012, the Postal Service revised International Mail Manual (IMM) part 136, Domestic Mail Manual (DMM) section 601.10.20, and Publication 52 section 349.22 to incorporate standards prohibiting outbound international mailing of lithium metal or lithium-ion batteries and devices containing lithium batteries.

The Postal Service anticipates that by January 1, 2013, aviation rules will be changed to allow specific quantities of lithium batteries (installed in the equipment they are intended to operate) to be sent by mail to destinations abroad.

Sample e-mails USPS customers receive:

Effective May 7, 2012, we are revising IMM part 136 to stipulate that
lithium metal or lithium-ion cells or batteries may not be sent in
international mail. The restriction applies regardless of quantity, size,
watt hours, and whether the cells or batteries are packed in equipment, with
equipment, or without equipment. The restrictions also apply when mailing to
an APO, FPO, or DPO location outside of the United States (including its
territories).

In addition, we will make parallel changes to other USPS publications that
make reference to the international mailing of lithium batteries such as the
Domestic Mail Manual (DMM(r)) and Publication 52, Hazardous, Restricted, and
Perishable Mail.


Rick Klutts
Product Classification
USPS Headquarters
US Postal Service

MEDIA STATEMENT ON Outbound International Mailing of Lithium Batteries

REACTIVE ONLY - FOR IMMEDIATE USE

Until January 2013, the Postal Service will not be able to accept packages containing lithium batteries and electronic devices containing lithium batteries addressed to international destinations. This includes mail destined to, or from, APO (Army Post Office), FPO (Fleet Post Office) and DPO (Diplomatic Post Office) locations.

This change is required by the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU), both of which currently prohibit lithium batteries in mail shipments that are carried on international commercial air transportation.

This change will not apply to packages containing lithium batteries and electronic devices containing lithium batteries when mailed within the United States on domestic commercial air or ground transportation.

International organizations apply different rules to the carriage of lithium batteries in mail shipments carried on commercial aircraft as compared to domestic requirements.

We anticipate that by January 2013, international aviation rules will be changed to allow mailing of lithium batteries when installed in the personal electronic devices they are intended to operate.

USPS is working with expert organizations to determine if any new exceptions can be developed prior to January 2013. Further announcements will be made should USPS be able to accept lithium batteries in certain types of mail shipments as soon as any new options become available.

We appreciate our customers' business. We recognize this change will pose an inconvenience to our customers and we look forward to continuing to be their international shipping partner

Hope this problem will be resolved much sooner than January 2013.


Update from USPS (May 03, 2012)

Starting May 16, USPS will prohibit international mailing of lithium batteries and electronic devices containing lithium batteries. The new regulations also prohibit shipments to or from Army, Fleet and Diplomatic Post Offices.
The Postal Service is instructing retail associates to question whether lithium batteries are in any international shipments.
The prohibition doesn't include packages containing lithium batteries when mailed in the U.S. using domestic commercial air or ground transportation.
The International Civil Aviation Organization and the Universal Postal Union already prohibit lithium batteries in mail shipments transported on international commercial air flights.
The Postal Service's modification will remain in effect until at least January 2013. At that time, international aviation rules may be changed to allow mailing of lithium batteries when installed in personal electronic devices they're intended to operate.
The Postal Service is working with other organizations to determine if exceptions to the new rule can be developed before January 2013.

Update from Shipito (May 04, 2012)
The last day USPS will accept shipments with Li-ion batteries is May 15, 2012. If you package is not mailed out on this day, Shipito will not be able to ship it by USPS.

This change will not affect Shipito Airmail Economy and Priority shipments (at least not at this moment). Other carriers like FedEx, DHL and TNT allow shipping li-ion batteries with the proper warning sticker.

Update from USPS (May 04, 2012)

OUTBOUND INTERNATIONAL MAILING OF LITHIUM BATTERIES
Until January 2013, the Postal Service will not be able to accept packages containing lithium batteries and electronic devices containing lithium batteries addressed to international destinations. This includes mail destined to, or from, APO (Army Post Office), FPO (Fleet Post Office) and DPO (Diplomatic Post Office) locations.
This change is required by the standards of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) and the Universal Postal Union (UPU), both of which currently prohibit lithium batteries in mail shipments that are carried on international commercial air transportation.
This change will not apply to packages containing lithium batteries and electronic devices containing lithium batteries when mailed within the United States on domestic commercial air or ground transportation.
International organizations apply different rules to the carriage of lithium batteries in mail shipments carried on commercial aircraft as compared to domestic requirements.
We anticipate that by January 2013, international aviation rules will be changed to allow mailing of lithium batteries when installed in the personal electronic devices they are intended to operate.
USPS is working with expert organizations to determine if any new exceptions can be developed prior to January 2013. Further announcements will be made should USPS be able to accept lithium batteries in certain types of mail shipments as soon as any new options become available.
We appreciate our customers' business. We recognize this change will pose an inconvenience to our customers and we look forward to continuing to be their international shipping partner.
Currently, mail from the United States to all countries is being handled under normal operating conditions, with these exceptions (Effective 05/03/12).

Luckily USPS is not the only shipping method for delivering packages from the USA. Please subscribe to the RSS news feed to learn about other shipping options. You may also follow this blog via Twitter.

Update from USPS (November 11, 2012)

Effective Nov. 15, 2012, USPS will start accepting specific quantities of lithium batteries - when installed in the equipment they are intended to operate - to be sent to many international destinations, including APO (Army Post Office), FPO (Fleet Post Office) and DPO (Diplomatic Post Office) locations when permitted by the destination or host country.

Items which can be shipped may include: cameras, video cameras, mobile/smart phones, Bluetooth headsets, laptop computers, shavers, portable DVD players, tablets, two-way radios, GPS devices and most other small electronic devices requiring lithium batteries to operate.
Items which cannot be shipped include any lithium batteries not installed in the equipment they are intended to operate. In addition, when installed, they may not exceed the quantity or limits defined in the IMM or DMM.

Domestic shipments of packages containing lithium batteries, and electronic devices containing lithium batteries currently remain unchanged.

The Federal Register final rule, and IMM, DMM and Publication 52 revisions, will be available at pe.usps.com.

Update from Shipito (November 05, 2013)
Shipito Airmail can no longer be used for shipping lithium batteries. But you may use alternative shipping methods including USPS Priority, USPS Express, Russian Post, FedEx, DHL or TNT. Note that USPS allows to ship only lithium batteries installed into electronic devices.

Examples of fees charged by USPS Express Mail and Shipito shippingforwarder in 2012 for sending packages from USA to Russian Federation

I'm continuing to post my expenses on sending packages from USA to Russian Federation. The fees of both Shipito and USPS grow every year, so you may find it useful to compare the figures from my previous post for 2010-2011.

Packages sent by USPS Express Mail International from USA to Russian Federation in 2012

• Package Location: Tualatin, OR
  29.10 lbs (13.2 kg)
  37"x19"x14" (93x49x36 cm)
  USPS Express Mail® Int'l change
  Mailout fee: $8.50
  Repacking fee: $24.00 (11 packages consolidated)
  Postage: $199.40
  (Carrier) ($191.18)
  (Bank fee 4.3%) ($8.22)
  Insurance: $19.13
  (Carrier) ($11.49)
  (Warehouse 1%) ($7.64)
  (No content photos 1%) (not charged)
  Total per 1 kg of gross weight: $19.28
  Total Shipito fees (not including USPS shipping and USPS insurance): $48.36
  TOTAL: $251.03
  Shipito service plan: Old Virtual Mailbox ($50 / year)


• Package Location: Tualatin, OR
  36.80 lbs (16.69 kg)
  36"x18"x17" (92x45x42 cm)
  USPS Express Mail International
  Mailout fee: $18.50 (including $10 surcharge for heavy packages over 30 pounds)
  Repacking fee: $22.00 (11 packages consolidated)
  Postage: $234.34
  (Carrier) ($224.68)
  (Bank fee 4.3%) ($9.66)
  Insurance: $29.40
  (Carrier) ($17.37)
  (Warehouse 1%) ($12.03)
  (No content photos 1%) (not charged)
  Total per 1 kg of gross weight: $18.23
  Total Shipito fees (not including USPS shipping and USPS insurance): $62.19
  TOTAL: $304.24
  Shipito service plan: Old Virtual Mailbox ($50 / year)

As you can see I haven't received any shipping discounts this year, because I don't have the Gold or even Silver status anymore. Plus Shipito added 2 additional hidden charges:

1. All customers pay the warehouse insurance of 1% (has nothing to do with insurance - just a hidden charge of Shipito)


2. All customers not having Silver, Gold or Diamond status need either to make pictures of all incoming packages (A special request for incoming packages allows to take 3 pictures of the package content for $1.00) or pay 1% insurance. Since I send my packages by USPS Express Mail, it is USPS that insures my packages (Carrier insurance) not Shipito. So again this is not insurance, but another hidden charge of Shipito.

Not to mention that they charge the bank fee of 4.3%. Yet again it is not mentioned on the "Our services & prices" page.

If you want to calculate USPS shipping costs only, you can use USPS Shipping Calculator for Russia

Update (09/14/2012)
Since August 2012 there is no more warehouse insurance on Shipito. And you can choose whether you want to insure your package or not. Plus Shipito offers a 10% discount for USPS Express Mail for customers from Russia from 09/13/2012 to 11/15/2012. So it costed me less to send my last packages:

• Package Location: Tualatin, OR
  29.50 lbs (13.38 kg)
  36"x17"x17" (92x44x44 cm)
  USPS Express Mail® Int'l change
  Mailout fee: $8.50
  Repacking fee: $16.00 (8 packages consolidated)
  Postage: $179.46
  (Carrier) ($172.06) (10% discount)
  (Bank fee 4.3%) ($7.40)
  Insurance: $15.49
  Total per 1 kg of gross weight: $16.4
  Total Shipito fees (not including USPS shipping and insurance): $31.9
  TOTAL: $219.45
  Shipito service plan: Old Virtual Mailbox ($50 / year)


• Package Location: Tualatin, OR
  37.50 lbs (17.01 kg)
  36"x17"x12" (92x44x30 cm)
  USPS Express Mail International
  Mailout fee: $18.50 (including $10 surcharge for heavy packages over 30 pounds)
  Repacking fee: $20.00 (10 packages consolidated)
  Postage: $215.39 (10% discount for customers from Russia until November 15th, 2012)
  (Carrier) ($206.51)
  (Bank fee 4.3%) ($8.88)
  Insurance: $15.83
  Total per 1 kg of gross weight: $15.86
  Total Shipito fees (not including USPS shipping, insurance and Shipito monthly fee): $47.38
  TOTAL: $269.72
  Shipito service plan: Old Virtual Mailbox ($100 / year, available for old customers only)


• Package Location: Tualatin, OR
  12.60 lbs (5.71 kg)
  17"x13"x13" (44x34x34 cm)
  USPS Express Mail® Int'l change
  Mailout fee: $8.50
  Repacking fee: $10.00 (5 packages consolidated)
  Postage: $114.56
  (Carrier) ($109.84)
  (Bank fee 4.3%) ($4.72)
  Insurance: $17.63
  Total per 1 kg of gross weight: $26.39
  Total Shipito fees (not including USPS shipping and insurance): $18.5
  TOTAL: $150.69
  Shipito service plan: Old Virtual Mailbox ($100 / year, available for old customers only)


• Package Location: Tualatin, OR
  19.40 lbs (8.8 kg)
  26"x13"x13" (67x34x34 cm)
  Mailout fee: $8.50
  Repacking fee: $20.00 (10 packages consolidated)
  Shipping method: USPS Express Mail International (5-6 business days)
  
  
  
  • Postage: $149.49
    (Carrier) ($143.33)
    (Bank fee 4.3%) ($6.16)
    Insurance: $17.05
    TOTAL: $166.54
  
  Alternative shipping methods offered by Shipito for delivering this package to Russia:
  
  
  
  • USPS Priority Mail (6-10 business days)
    Postage: $129.02
    Insurance: $28.25
    TOTAL: $157.27
  
  
  • Airmail Economy (15-30 business days)
    Postage: $184
    insurance not available
    Tracking is not available
    TOTAL: $184
  
  
  • Airmail Priority (8-20 business days)
    Postage: $202.98
    Insurance: $45.99
    Tracking is not available
    TOTAL: $248.97
  
  
  • Airmail Express (15 days)
    Postage: $149.49
    Insurance: $45.99
    TOTAL: $195.48
  
  Total per 1 kg of gross weight: $22.16
  Total Shipito fees (not including USPS shipping, insurance and Shipito monthly fee): $45.55
  TOTAL: $195.04
  Shipito service plan: Old Virtual Mailbox ($100 / year, available for old customers only)

Do you use Shipito or any other shipping forwarder? If you do, are you satisfied with its fees and service? How much did it cost you to send you package?

See also:

• How much it cost to ship a package to Russia from the USA via Shipito and Mainbox parcel forwarders (USPS vs. courier service) in 2014  
• Examples of fees charged by USPS Express Mail and Shipito shipping forwarder in 2013 for sending packages from the United States to Russia  
• Some samples on how much it costs to send packages/parcels to Russia using USPS and Shipito (2010-2011)  

List of prohibited items and restrictions you must check before making any purchases in the USA from abroad

Before making any purchases in the USA for International shipping you must check the customs list of prohibited articles on the Universal Postal Union (UPU) web-site. However this list is not the only one you must pay attention to. You must also learn about restrictions, prohibitions,... that your postal service or your courier has.

I use USPS Priority Mail Express Internaional (former USPS Express Mail International) also known as EMS most of the time, so I check the prohibitions, restrictions and other information on the USPS web-site. The information provided there is country specific. If you need Country Conditions for Mailing to Russia (Russian Federation) by USPS Express Mail, see here.

Now I will explain why it is important to follow the restriction on the USPS web-site. I have shipped a dozen of jewerly items and a couple of watches to Russia by USPS Express Mail. I got them without any problem. The customs of the Russian Federation allows these articles to be sent to Russia. However if your insured package with prohibited items is lost, USPS refuses to pay the insurance. So if your lose a package containing a $17 watch or a $10 jewerly item, USPS will refuse to pay the insurance not only for the watch or jewerly, but for the whole package!

Is it risky to send packages from USA to Russia via USPS Express Mail / Priority Mail?

Of course Russian Post is anything but careful with its packages. For example, see the following video showing how they can unload package:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MReC1XqwJrQ&w=420&h=315]

Sending anything via Russian post has always been risky. However the discounts in the USA make this risk very moderate for me. Personally I have never had any content of my packages damaged because of the shipping.

I think that the largest risk is when shipping electronics and this is due to the following facts:

1. You can get a malfunctioned item.


2. Your item may break down during the warranty period.


3. You package can be lost.


4. Items from your package can be stolen.

Note that for most electronics the warranty is valid in the USA (or North America) only.

I recommend to ship packages via USPS Express Mail. It is faster than USPS Priority Mail and it is only slightly more expensive. The faster it is the safer it is. Besides I believe that EMS attracts better professionals than the rest of Russian Post.

Also please note that you can insure your USPS packages. And although USPS is far away from ideal when paying the insurance for lost packages, shipping from the USA to Russia becomes less risky.

Make sure to open your package in the post office to verify its content. When tracking your package at russianpost.ru make sure to pay attention to any changes in the weight of your package.

How much it costs to send a magazine to Russia via Shipito Air Mail

Got my first magazine sent via Shipito Air Mail. Had "Fast magazine mailout" enabled on Shipito, so it was sent so fast that I didn't even have time to think whether it was better to consolidate the magazine with my other packages. It cost me $3.76:




0.50 lbs (0.23 kg)
13"×9"×1" (34×23×3 cm)
Shipito AirMail
Insurance: NO
Mailout fee: $1.00
Postage: $2.65
bank fee 4.3%: $0.11
TOTAL: $3.76

Some magazines are lighter than 0.5 lbs, some heavier.

See also:

• Free consolidation of magazines on Shipito


• Some samples on how much it costs to send packages/parcels to Russia using USPS and Shipito