Is it worth using a freight forwarder for purchasing few cheap items in the USA from Russia and other countries overseas?

I got the following question from my friend:

I was trying to learn about freight forwarders like Shipito, but still can't find out what to do. I don't need a huge TV from the USA, I just want to buy some clothing for this fall. It can be from Walmart, for example. But if I will only buy a couple of hoodies for $30, will it make sense to ship them to Russia via a freight forwarder? Or will it cost the same ($100 for a couple of hoodies) if purchased in an offline retail store in Moscow?

Let's find out. We want to purchase 2 hoodies in Walmart or some other store which cost $15 each. Let's assume that shipping is free.

Free Shipito account allows to mail out your package for $8.5. Let's assume that the store will ship both hoodies in one package. Otherwise you will need to consolidate 2 packages and it will cost $10 (monthly subscription) and $4.5 for each package, totaling at $10 + $4.5 * 2 = $19.

Shipito Airmail Priority and Economy are cheap for light, small and inexpensive packages. Some rates for my several packages that are now in the Shipito warehouse in Oregon:

Weight: Dimensions: Insured amount:	USPS Express Mail (5-6 business days)	USPS Priority Mail (6-10 business days)	Airmail Economy (15-22 business days)	Airmail Priority (8-15 business days)	Airmail Express (15 days)	USPS First Class International Parcel (varies by country)	FedEx Economy (2-5 business days)	FedEx Priority (1-3 business days)
4 lbs. 2 oz. 13.80 x 11.60 x 8.80 $0	Postage: $74.06 Insurance: $3.41 TOTAL: $77.47	Postage: $61.04 Insurance: $6.53 TOTAL: $67.57	Postage: $39.3 insurance not available Tracking is not available TOTAL: $39.3	Postage: $43.35 Insurance: $5.7 Tracking is not available TOTAL: $49.05	Postage: $66.66 Insurance: $5.7 TOTAL: $72.36	Shipping method not available	Postage: $156.5 Insurance: $0 TOTAL: $156.5 (list rate $309.83)	Postage: $183.94 Insurance: $0 TOTAL: $183.94 (list rate $369.12)
2 lbs. 9 oz. 16.60 x 12.00 x 3.40 $0	Postage: $61.79 Insurance: $2.05 TOTAL: $63.84	Postage: $50.6 Insurance: $4.36 TOTAL: $54.96	Postage: $24.25 insurance not available Tracking is not available TOTAL: $24.25	Postage: $26.76 Insurance: $2.67 Tracking is not available TOTAL: $29.43	Postage: $55.61 Insurance: $2.67 TOTAL: $58.28	Postage: $36.28 insurance not available Tracking is not available TOTAL: $36.28	Postage: $142.8 Insurance: $0 TOTAL: $142.8 (list rate $221.06)	Postage: $165.99 Insurance: $0 TOTAL: $165.99 (list rate $290.84)
Weight: 0 lbs. 10 oz. Dimensions: 14.60 x 8.80 x 2.40 Insured amount: $0	Postage: $49.51 Insurance: $1.01 TOTAL: $50.52	Postage: $40.16 Insurance: $3 TOTAL: $43.16	Postage: $6.4 insurance not available Tracking is not available TOTAL: $6.4	Postage: $7.07 Insurance: $0.36 Tracking is not available TOTAL: $7.43	Postage: $44.56 Insurance: $0.36 TOTAL: $44.92	Postage: $16.11 insurance not available Tracking is not available TOTAL: $16.11	Postage: $142.8 Insurance: $0 TOTAL: $142.8 (list rate $145.51)	Postage: $165.99 Insurance: $0 TOTAL: $165.99 (list rate $197.5)

[caption id="attachment_2533" align="aligncenter" width="482"] Comparing Shipito shippping rates: USPS, Airmail Priority/Economy/Express, Fedex[/caption]

If you need to calculate your shipping rate, you may use the Shipito shipping calculator.

A couple of hoodies in the box will probably weight 3-4 lbs. Delivery of such a package without tracking and insurance will cost $25-40. Delivery with tracking and insurance will cost $50-60.

Bottom line: It is cheaper to buy a couple of hoodies in an offline store in Moscow.

But please note that many people like particular brands that offer more expensive clothing. In many cases this clothing is 30-50% more expensive in Moscow. Not to mention that in many other regions of Russia prices are much higher than in Moscow.

Usually it makes sense to send much heavier packages and/or packages with more expensive content. Otherwise you won't save much.

If you want to order a couple of t-shirts only, or a pair of  jeans, or a couple of hoodies, it makes sense to ask your friends who buy a lot in the same country. Or you may ask your relatives and friends whether they want to buy something in the USA as well. Personally I help my friends and relatives to buy few items regularly.

Good luck and happy savings!

Ideel (former Ideeli) and international shipping: How to shop on Ideel.com from outside the USA

What is Ideel

Ideel is an american private shopping club (fashion sale site, private sale club, flash sale site, sample sale site). It offers designer clothing for men, women, kids at discounted prices. Private shopping clubs organize sales events for its members that typically last 1 to 6 days. Members can buy fashion clothing as well as other stuff at a 30-90% discount. Ideel (former Ideeli) is owned by Groupon.

Billing and international shipping restrictions on Ideel

Ideel.com states the following:

You must be a legal resident of the 50 United States or the District of Columbia, who have reached the age of majority in their jurisdiction (which is generally 18 years old, but does vary state to state). You cannot have more than one membership.

You need a US debit card or credit card to make a purchase on Ideel. You may also pay for your order via Paypal. No other payment methods accepted:

Screenshot: Ideel.com: Payment method

And Ideel can ship to the USA addresses only.

Overcoming billing and international shipping restrictions on Ideel

You can shop on Ideel.com from outside the USA even, if you want your purchases to be shipped outside the USA. You need to get a virtual address in the USA using a service like Shipito.

Here is a package from Ideel.com delivered to my virtual USA address:

Screenshot: Package from Ideel.com in the Shipito warehouse before package consolidation and international shipping