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.

No more additional insurance for Shipito customers from Russia

I started skipping insurance at Shipito parcel forwarder, because I didn't want to pay an extra 1% if I consolidated a cell phone, some electronics with lithium battery, a watch or jewelry. When I was sending something expensive I was preferring to use a courier service. And when I was sending something cheap, I didn't want to pay extra bucks.

From April 10, 2014 Shipito is no longer requiring customers from Russia to pay this extra 1% for insurance. Normal insurance rates apply.

Good news for Russian customers of Shipito shipping forwarder (parcel forwarder)

Shipito shipping forwarder (parcel forwarder) has finally moved towards Russian customers. The competition among US to Russia parcel forwarders is so high that there were no reasons to use Shipito anymore. Although Shipito rates are still above many Russian competitors, the new changes are better than nothing:

• Shipito is shipping big volume by USPS Express mail. The shipping price was permanently lowered by 15%. If you are our status client (Silver, Gold or Diamond) you might have additional discount from already lowered price till the end of March (new benefits will be announced on April 1 for the 2nd quarter).
• Shipping rates in Oregon were 10% higher than in California. Now you can get the same shipping rate in Oregon as in California.
• SPSR Express shipping method is available for shipping from the USA to Russia.
• Mailout fee will be reduced to $1 on all for all Shipito plans (including Virtual Mailbox).
• Double consolidation fee will be waived.

I will ship a new package within a month and will update my article about shipping costs by USPS Express Mail and other shipping methods. We'll see whether the new pricing will make me stay at Shipito or not.

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

Russian Post Standard via Berlin becomes faster

All shipments sent by Russian Post via Berlin (Russian Post Standard shipping method) were previously sent by truck from Shipito warehouse to New York (JFK). It took about 4 days plus different waiting times at the airport.

Shipito is currently testing direct flight from Los Angeles to Berlin. The last Berlin post shipment was picked up on November 23. Shipment will be at the airport on November 24 and fly directly to Berlin. Shipment will be in Berlin on November 25 and Russian Post will pick up from there.

The biggest complain until now was that Russian Post Standard shipping method of Shipito parcel forwarder is not very fast. Direct flights from LA to Berlin may speed the process a little bit. The good thing about the Russian Post Standard shipping method is that Shipito had extremely low loss rate with it.

Amazon Global: Shipping from Amazon USA to Russia directly

Amazon USA ships to 65+ countries directly via the Amazon Global Program: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Egypt, Estonia Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Oman, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Romania, Russia, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uruguay, Venezuela.

The majority of items in Amazon's product catalog (automotive, baby, clothing, consumer electronics, health and personal care, home and garden, industrial and scientific, jewelry, pet supplies, shoes, software, sporting goods, tools, toys, video games and watches) can be shipped to the countries above.

To find the items that can be shipped internationally via the Amazon Global program:

• Go to the Amazon Global page.


• Keep the International Shipping filter selected in your search bar.
  

Items that qualify for international shipping will feature a note on the product detail page under Shipping that says "This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S."

I wasn't able to ship some houseware appliances and electronics including the Kindle Fire HD tablet.

Some other items were ready to be shipped to Russia:



Unfortunately Amazon uses UPS for shipping to Russia. Although this service is very fast, it is very expensive. Moreover after trying DHL Express I don't really want to test this service on the orders over 200 EUR (including shipping) to avoid any visits to the customs as well as any extra fees.

Qwintry parcel forwarder allows to ship to Russia via SPSR Express

Qwintry parcel forwarder has finished testing a new delivery method - SPSR Express. Now it is available to all Qwintry customers shipping parcels to Russia.



The main advantage of SPSR is stable delivery time. On average it takes 10 days to deliver a parcel from the USA to Moscow and a couple of days more to other Russian cities and towns. Moreover this delivery method allows to avoid Russian Post completely, thus you will have better parcel handling and faster delivery.

The shipping cost is identical to USPS Express, so there is little to no sense to use the United States Parcel Service when shipping from the USA at all.

More parcel forwarders allowing to ship to Russia via SPSR Express:

• Pochtoy,


• Shopotam,


• NYCMSK

Postal service in Finland opens an office for customers from Russia

Russian customers are so unhappy about the Russian Post that they even go to Finland to pick up their parcels. Finnish postal service even hired Russian speaking employees because of that.

More about it in the news report from the Russian television company NTV (video in Russian)

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReV60QFHcx8&w=560&h=315]

Russian parcel forwarder SPSR USA offers a no sales tax address for tax free purchases

Russian parcel forwarder SPSR USA offers a no sales tax address in Delaware allowing customers from Russia to avoid state sales tax completely.



SPSR USA uses SPSR Express for shipping parcels from the USA to Russia. SPSR has offices in 6000 locations in Russia allowing you to avoid using Russian Post and USPS completely.

Middle name required for postal shipments to Russia?

USPS has notified Shipito that customers will need to use their middle names when sending packages to Russia. So Shipito freight forwarder asked customers sending packages to Russia to add their middle names to the name field in the Shipito account.

Russian Post only requires name, surname and address to identify the recipient. Russian Post can not violate the rules of the Universal Postal Union. And this is perfectly described on the Russian Post web-site.



Update
Shipito recognized that it was misinformed by a USPS representative. Middle name is not required.

Russian shipping forwarder Shopotam (ex. EbayToday) offers more shipping methods bypassing Russian Post

Many major shipping forwarders offer alternative shipping methods bypassing state postal services and major courier services like DHL, Fedex, UPS. This allows to get better pricing and/or faster delivery. Moreover alternative shopping methods are more secure than state postal services.

For example, one of the biggest shipping forwarders in Russia Shopotam (former EbayToday) offers express delivery by SPSR Express and economy delivery by Boxberry. Both bypass Russian Post completely. And while you can deliver by SPSR Express much faster (5-10 days), the rates are comparable with USPS Express Mail International (EMS).



You may find more details on the Shopotam web-site.

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?

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.

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 (Ideeli) error: Invalid Transaction Type. Contact us if you think you have received this message in error.

I've been using Ideel private shopping club (flash sale site, fashion sale site, private sale site) for about 2 years. Never expected to have any problems paying with my debit and credit cards issued by Russian banks, especially after making 18 purchases with my Russian Mastercard debit card. But a couple of days ago I got the following error when using my new Mastercard: "Invalid Transaction Type. Contact us if you think you have received this message in error."



It appeared that Ideel doesn't allow to enter addresses outside the USA for both billing and shipping, so entering my complete real billing address in Russia was not an option. I tried to enter my real name, real street address and to use the rest from my Shipito virtual address, but it didn't work. Then I tried to use my US virtual address for both billing and shipping to no avail. Then instead of checking out I went to the account settings and tried to add my card from there. I was getting the same error no matter what address I was using.

It appeared that many customers from Russia and other countries have faced the same problem. This happens because Ideel verifies that the billing address provided matches the one on record with your bank. You need to contact Ideel support to disable this AVS system.  Then you should be able to check out using a foreign credit or debit card.

New Shipito Airmail Express for Russia with tracking and insurance

Shipito offers new Airmail service for customers from Russia. It comes with tracking and insurance!

Lithium batteries can be shipped by this method (unlike USPS). Airmail Express packages are delivered to Belgium post and from there by EMS to Russia. Delivery should be about aproximately 15 days (there is no guarantee for speed of delivery).

The pricing is the same as USPS Express mail. Special 10% discount offered till the end of September 2012. Insurance is 0.7% from the value of products and $10 surcharge for packages with value over $500. Maximum value of each package cannot be over $1000.

 

Shipito Shipping Method: USPS, Airmail Priority/Economy/Express, Fedex

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

• 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)

Update (November 06, 2013)
Shipito Airmail can no longer be used for shipping lithium batteries. But you may use alternative shipping methods offered by Shipito for that including USPS Priority, USPS Express, Russian Post Standard.

Sports complex for toddlers. Made in Russia.

Many things are cheaper in the USA, Germany or China. But there are some unique Russian items that can't be bought elsewhere. One of them is a sports complex for toddlers Ranniy Start (Early Start). It is made in Russia. I have never seen any alternatives anywhere, so no wonder this heavy sports complex is exported to other countries.

The manufacturer's web-site sells Ranniy Start Standard and Ranniy Start Luxe. The latter can be used by older kids (up to the age of 6 and more).



There are plenty of accessories for these sports complexes including: a hammock, a hammock-tunnel, a cover for playing with a ball (called "Basketball"), a cover with lots of holes called "Cheese", a rope, a rope net, rope ladders, a swing, a punching-ball, a lean, a massage board, ...

Still not impressed? Then see the following 30 seconds videos. It is just incredible what a toddler can do.

A one year old kid on a rope ladder:

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

A 14 months old kid hanging on rings and trapeze:

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umt8KKWQyM4&w=420&h=315]

It is unbelievable, isn't it?

Shipito mail forwarder allows customers from Russia to send packages with electronics and lithium batteries

Shipito has offered a new way to send packages with lithium batteries and electronics for its customers from Russia. Shipito offers Polonez Parcel for customers from Russia now. Polonez Parcel packages are shipped by Container to Poland and then given to the postal service for delivery in Russia.

Polonez Parcel limitations:

• Maximum weight is 44 lbs, maximum size 47"x23"x23"(should be more than enough for the large 36"x17"x17" consolidation box)


• No insuranceis available. Polonez unfortunately does not insure packages delivered by the postal service. For this reason, we do not recommend shipping expensive packages. Better solution is to remove lithium batteries from your electronics, ship actual devices by USPS with tracking and insurance, and use Polonez only for batteries.


• Minimum chargeable weight is 20 lbs, so even if you ship small package, you will pay the same as for 20 lbs!


• Dimensional weight formula is L x W x H / 140, dimensional weight is used if higher than actual weight.


• Polonez claims delivery in about two months, but it is not guaranteed, and it may take even little longer than that.


• Polonez picks up packages once a month, usually last complete weekend in the given month.


• Available from California warehouses of Shipito only, no Polonez package can be shipped from the Oregon warehouse (You can transfer your package from Oregon to California for a fee).

Polonez Parcel is very expensive for Russia. For example, I have compared the cost of shipping via USPS, Shipito Airmail and Polonez parcel for my two packages sent in 2012 via USPS Express Mail International:


Shipito Airmail vs. USPS Express Mail vs. Polonez (29 lbs, 37″x19″x14″)


Shipito Airmail vs. USPS Express Mail vs. Polonez (36.80 lbs, 36″x18″x17″)

Please note that Shipito allows to deliver lithium batteries and electronics with lithium, Li-ion, Li-pol batteries through Airmail Priority and Airmail Express shipping methods:

• Airmail Priority packages can be insured, but can not be tracked. And shipping light and small packages is cheaper via Airmail Priority than via USPS.


• Airmail Express packages can be insured and tracked, but they cost about the same as USPS Express Mail packages.

See the Shipito Calculator for shipping options and calculating postage for your parcel.

Update (November 06, 2013) Shipito Airmail can no longer be used for shipping lithium batteries. But you may use alternative shipping methods offered by Shipito for that including USPS Priority, USPS Express, Russian Post, FedEx, DHL and TNT.

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)  

Success story on getting insurance from USPS for stolen (lost) iPhone 4

In my previous post I stated that it might be a good idea not to send notebooks, cellphones (including iPhone 4) to Russia, because USPS denied insurance claims for these items. And now I want to share a success story on getting insurance for a stolen iPhone 4.

USPS denied the insurance claim at first, but the guy didn't give up. He wrote to the "International Claims Processing Accounting Service Center". In his message he mentioned the following links:
http://www.rossvyaz.ru/activity/correlation/declaration/registerDeclaration/
http://www.rossvyaz.ru/press/news/news403.htm
http://tsouz.ru/db/entr/notif/Pages/Default.aspx

In his message he mentioned that iPhone 4 was not a prohibited item. And he attached the following papers and their translations (click to enlarge):






It took 3 weeks to get the insurance for the stolen iPhone 4.