Postage to Russia
Sending an international parcel can be stressful, and shipping to Russia is no exception. There's always that risk of a package getting lost in customs, but shipping abroad can also mean much higher courier costs. And while the first issue is out of your control, you can cut shipping costs without losing the quality of courier services. All it takes is to use Packlink.
Packlink is an online comparison tool, allowing individual customers or e-commerce entrepreneurs to get the best quotes for their shipments. To find the cheapest prices on Russian delivery, you'll need to enter your postcode with the weight and dimensions of your parcel. Our calculator will then find the best courier service quote in your area, providing you with the cheapest way to send a parcel to Russia, the UK and internationally.
Cheap and Convenient Parcel Delivery to Russia
There are two primary ways to send non-commercial and commercial shipments to Russian Federation. Generally speaking, you can opt for parcel collection or drop-off delivery.
Parcel collection refers to a door-to-door service where couriers pick and deliver parcels door-to-door. It's by far the most convenient option, as it doesn't require you to go anywhere to ship your packages. There are no queues or heavy lifting involved. All you need to do to send your parcel to Russia is print out the necessary documents and wait for a courier.
Drop-off delivery, on the other hand, involves taking the parcel you intend to send to a drop-off point. Its primary advantage of parcel collection is the price. It's the cheapest way to ship items, both internationally and domestically.
Now, regarding how long the shipment to Russia usually takes, it depends on multiple factors, such as the destination address, products you send, parcel weight categories, potential issues with customs, type of delivery service, time of the year, transit route (air freight service or other), and more.
In general, standard delivery to Russia from the UK takes 3-5 days. Express delivery shortens this period to 2-3 days. However, as mentioned above, it depends on various factors. For instance, when shipping to major cities like Moscow or St. Petersburg, you can expect faster delivery than when sending parcels to a Russian province.
Key Information on Russia International Shipping
Before you start looking for the best courier services to Russia, you should know a thing or two about Russian laws regarding international shipments. Spoiler alert. They are very strict.
Russian Customs Considerations
As mentioned, Russia has a very strict policy regarding import goods. At first glance, the whole shipping procedure looks pretty standard. Like any other country, Russian Federation requires you to fill out the customs documents. However, when it comes to checks at the Russian border, they are exceptionally rigorous, to say the least.
With this in mind, you have to make sure all the required documents are completed thoroughly. First, you'll need to fill out a commercial invoice.
This document must be completed comprehensively, with no abbreviations and all the package details. Otherwise, your parcel won't pass the customs clearance. What does it mean comprehensively, though? The document must include business or private addresses and a detailed description of the items, including size, colour, weight, and exact value.
As for duty-free import parcels, the value of the package can't surpass 200 EUR or weigh more than 31kg. If you exceed these limits, your receiver will be obligated to pay a charge.
What Can You Send to Russia?
Completing the necessary documents is one thing. But what about the items you can export from the UK to Russia? When it comes to that, it's vital to check the list of allowed items regularly as these can change.
In general, all personal items, excluding documents, are banned from import. Currently, only business and commercial parcels are allowed when sent from the UK to Russia.
Now, as for the products you can't export to Russia, the list includes but isn't limited to the following items:
- Shipping lithium batteries and devices containing them
- All live animals
- Certain food, including fish, dairy, vegetables, domestic sausages, or honey
- Live trees and plants
- Tobacco
- Pharmaceutical products
- Firearms, gunpowder, and weapons
The full list is available on the official Royal Mail website, so be sure to check it out before you send anything to Russia. Your carrier can also provide you with more information regarding Russian customs.
Addressing the Parcel
Addressing the parcel shouldn't pose any trouble. Just remember to follow the basic addressing guidelines, which, fortunately, are similar to the UK addressing format.
Your receiver's name should be written on the first line. The second line should include their private or business address. Then goes the city on the third line and a 6-digit postcode on the fourth. You might also be required to include a district and province as well.
The exemplary address should look as follows:
- NAME & SURNAME, BUSINESS'S NAME
- STREET'S NAME, NUMBER
- CITY
- POSTCODE (e.g. 111111)
- RUSSIA
Why Use Packlink for Your International Delivery Needs?
If you often send parcels to Russia, you've probably complained many times about the shipping costs. Yes. If there's one thing certain about Russia parcel delivery is that it can get expensive. It doesn't have to be like that, though. Using Packlink, you'll be able to compare and get the best quotes from the industry-leading couriers, allowing you to take advantage of the cheapest shipping to Russia.
We work only with the best courier companies, including DHL, DPD, UPS, Evri, and more, so you can rest assured your parcel will be delivered fast and in one piece. To find your quote, go to our comparison tool, type in your package's details, your and receiver's address, and click on 'Ship Now.'
And that's about it! The entire process should take you no more than a couple of minutes, and we'll provide you with great prices straight away.
Whether you're sending your packages to Russia or any other country in the world, Packlink has got you covered. And if you have an e-commerce business, we recommend you take advantage of our free premium service - Packlink PRO.