Choosing a service to send a parcel to another country

The most convenient and reliable tracking of Tunisian Post mail items on the Postal Ninja website. When added to a personal list, parcel movement is updated automatically.

Tunisian Post is a state-owned enterprise that carries out international postal exchange and services for domestic postal items in Tunisia. Also, the Tunisian Post is part of the global EMS cooperative and delivers EMS items. Delivery of mail and EMS items by Tunisian Post takes place according to the general rules of the Universal Postal Union, which guarantees freedom of transit of parcels moved by land, sea and air between members of a single postal territory.

International postal regulations strictly prohibit the sending of drugs, psychotropic or explosive, flammable or other dangerous substances and objects by post. The Tunisian Post website contains complete rules for forwarding, also related to restrictions on dimensions, weight and contents of mail.

How to prepare a parcel for shipment?

When returning an item to an overseas online store or to an address in your home country, always ensure that it is packaged carefully to minimize the risk of damage.

An important point to know at the very beginning: Russian Post will not accept your parcel if it is not packaged in a standard box or bag.

They can be purchased at any post office. It is better in advance - so that at home, in a calm environment, you can carefully prepare the goods for shipment.

Do not seal the packaging yourself. The operator must check its contents before sending it (for example, for items prohibited for transportation). That's the rule. After verification, your shipment will be sealed with special postal tape.

The most common types of packaging are plastic bags and cardboard boxes. Their price may vary by region.

For items that cannot be broken or crushed (such as clothing), it is easier to use plastic bags. On the front side they have postal branding and fields for the address of the sender and recipient. There is glue applied to the edge of the flap, and if you bought the bag in advance, try not to damage the flap.

Plastic bags have the following sizes and markings:

• S (smallest) - 345 mm × 280 mm
• M (medium) - 375 mm × 500 mm
• L (large) - 455 mm × 580 mm
• XL (largest) - 595 mm × 700 mm

They look like this:

Boxes are best used for investments that are sensitive to mechanical damage. They have similar markings:

• S – 260mm × 170mm × 80mm
• M – 300mm × 200mm × 150mm
• L – 400mm × 270mm × 180mm
• XL – 530mm × 360mm × 220mm

Recently, Russian Post rebranded its products. Boxes with the new corporate design look like this:

Also keep in mind that for maximum safety, fragile items are best wrapped in bubble wrap. If you really care about the safety of your items, try not to skimp on packaging materials.

How much does it cost to send a parcel?

The amount it will cost you to ship depends on the weight of the package, the class of shipment, packaging and what declared value you assign to it. Preliminary calculations can be made using the online calculator located on the Russian Post website. To do this, you must enter the city or country of destination and the weight of the shipment into the appropriate fields.

Let's give examples (please note that all prices in the calculations below are indicated without taking into account the cost of packaging - in the OPS it is stamped with a separate check).

To begin with, let’s say that we need to return goods from Moscow to the warehouse of an online store in Rostov (parcel weight is 1 kg):

• The cost of sending by regular parcel will be 264 rubles. (the website indicates a period of 1-2 days, but in fact it can take up to 5 days)
• the cost of expedited dispatch is 360 rubles. (with the same delivery times)
• cost of express delivery EMS - 700 rubles. (EMS now works very quickly, so the indicated 1-2 days are quite realistic)

Now let’s calculate the price of an international parcel of 0.5 kg from Moscow to Guangzhou (China):

• a regular shipment with a delivery time of 19-29 days will cost 420 rubles.
• expedited (11-17 days) will cost 540 rubles.
• express delivery EMS (5-17 days) - 1700 rub.

Now let’s take a larger, 2.5 kg, parcel from Moscow to China:

• regular departure (19-29 days) - 1230 rubles.
• expedited departure (11-17 days) - 1740 rubles.
• express delivery EMS (5-17 days) - 2895 rub.

Boxberry

This transport company carries out shipments to Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan , as well as to the USA and some European countries . Its branches are located throughout Russia, there are more than 3,500 of them throughout the country. Average parcel delivery time: 7 - 16 days. Below are the main advantages and disadvantages of Boxberry.

Boxberry, a company founded in 2010. Photo of the main page.

Boxberry advantages:

• The specified delivery times .
• Convenient to track parcels.
• Parcels arrive safely , otherwise the company will compensate for the damage.

Boxberry Disadvantages:

• Some points are open only until 18:00 , which can be inconvenient.

Today in Belarus, 86 branches in 50 cities carry out issuance. There are more than 180 delivery points in Kazakhstan. There are 4 Boxberry branches in Kyrgyzstan: 2 in Bishkek and one each in the cities of Kant and Osh. There are 6 delivery points in Armenia: 5 in Yerevan and 1 in Vanadzor.

Russian Post tariffs for sending parcels and letters

In the online calculator on the Russian Post website, prices are indicated with and without VAT. Additional services (for example, gluing stamps, connecting the SMS notification service, cash on delivery) will increase the amount you have to pay for the shipment.

Tariffs for shipping within the country

You can select the city (yours and the one you plan to send to) and the approximate weight of the parcel in the online calculator. Depending on the data entered, you will see the price for all classes of departure.

Please note: the cost depends on the remoteness of settlements. At the post office, this is called the main belts - these are the distances between the centers of the regions, if you count by rail. You can read more about them and how they affect the price in the “Parcels” section on the Russian Post website.

There is also a detailed table with a list of all belts. You will be able to independently find out which highway zone the addressee’s settlement belongs to relative to yours, and get a more accurate calculation.

Also, additional services of the Russian Post will affect the total amount of the fee for the shipment: assigning a declared value, delivery to a hard-to-reach area, returning a parcel and others. Full information about additional services is contained in the “Tariffs” section. And here you will find information about how much packaging costs.

Rates for shipping abroad

The situation is exactly the same with sending goods abroad. To get a preliminary estimate, enter your city, the country in which the recipient is located, and the approximate weight in the calculator. You will see how the rates vary greatly depending on the location of the recipient. By the way, some types of shipments (for example, a regular parcel) may not be available for certain recipient countries.

Detailed rates for processing shipments to other countries are provided in this document.

For example, let’s look at shipping on the route “Russia - China”:

• The cost of a parcel weighing 1 kg transported by ground transport will be 910 rubles, and for each additional kilogram you will need to pay an additional 160 rubles.
• When using air transport, the price will increase to 1080 rubles, and the extra charge for increased weight will be 330 rubles. for each kilogram above the specified amount.

Please note: air travel may not be available for some countries (for example, to Abkhazia). This means that mail delivers there only by road or rail. For others, on the contrary, only air transportation is used (New Zealand, Australia, Georgia, Tajikistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia).

DHL

An international company operating for over 50 years. It offers delivery of not only regular parcels , but also documents and large heavy cargo . Delivery is carried out in 220 directions. The most popular of them:

• USA.
• Germany.
• Kazakhstan.
• China.

“Being where our customers need us” is DHL's motto.

DHL is a company founded in 1969.

DHL advantages:

• Fast delivery (7 - 10 business days).
• Convenient to send bulky goods .
• It is possible to send the parcel “door to door” by the specified time.
• You can send urgent cargo abroad.
• The company cares about the environment - it uses energy-efficient warehouses and vehicles that are least harmful to the environment.

Disadvantages of DHL:

• High prices for delivery tariffs.
• Delivery to remote areas of some countries is still not possible.

What's the postage on printed matter?

Parcel mail is a popular type of shipment. It is intended for sending paper correspondence that cannot be classified as letters (primarily by weight). For example, this way you can send a magazine, a large stack of documents, a book, a manuscript for a publisher, photographs, etc. Its maximum weight when shipping within the Russian Federation is 2 kg, and for sending to other countries - 5 kg.

A simple parcel post has no value and, accordingly, is not insured by the postal service.

For valuable items, you can assign a declared value - thus, it will be insured in case of loss. Unlike simple shipping, it can be sent by air. Delivery times for valuable parcels are much lower than for simple ones, but this method of sending only works in Russia. The amount of declared value cannot exceed 10,000 rubles. To send attachments with a higher declared value, a first class parcel is used.

If you need to send a light-weight product (including electronics) to China, the best choice would be to send a small package rather than a parcel post. The cost of its delivery can be calculated on the Russian Post website.

Pony Express

Pony Express is an international transportation service across Russia and the CIS. According to information on the official website, delivery is carried out to 220 destinations around the world . Approximate delivery time: 7 - 10 days. When placing shipments, you can choose the rate that suits you:

• Express delivery;
• economy cargo;
• economy mail.

Pony Express is a company founded in 2007. Photo of the main page.

Advantages of Pony Express:

The main advantage, which we identified based on the analysis of reviews, is the ability to communicate with the delivery service in instant messengers , for example, WhatsApp, Telegram, VKontakte, Facebook or online chat (on the website). It is very comfortable!

The company also offers an additional service for lathing cargo . This allows fragile items to be delivered safely.

Disadvantages of Pony Express:

• According to customer reviews, transport company employees do not warn about delivery , which is why many people simply cannot accept the order for a long time.

How to quickly send a parcel to China and how much does it cost?

If delivery times are extremely important and must be kept to a minimum, you can use EMS for shipping. This is a division of the state postal service that provides express delivery. To send your parcel via EMS, you do not have to go to the post office. Perhaps the EMS office will be closer, and if not, you can call a courier: he will come to your home, process your parcel and issue a cash receipt and tracking number.

To compare tariffs and time, we will calculate sending a parcel to China by regular mail and using the EMS service. Let's say it weighs 1 kg.

• Shipping from Moscow to Guangzhou (China) by regular mail will cost 960 rubles. (without the cost of additional services and packaging) with a delivery time of 12-20 days.
• The cost of EMS is 1985 rubles. with delivery time 5-17 days. Those. More than twice as expensive, but the term has decreased accordingly.

Let's give another example, for a heavier parcel - 2.5 kg. Sending it by the cheapest class of regular mail will cost 1,230 rubles. and will take 20-32 days, expedited - 1740 rubles. (12-20 days), and EMS delivery will cost you 2895 rubles. with a minimum of 5-17 days.

When making preliminary calculations, remember about additional services. For postal items with a declared value, a fee of 4 rubles will be charged. with VAT for every 100 rubles, which are indicated in the declared value. Processing the notification of delivery will cost 111 rubles. Application submitted by the sender to return the parcel - 148 rubles.

Instructions for sending a parcel by Russian Post

Every person with a passport can send a parcel. At first glance, the process of sending a parcel seems simple, but in reality the procedure is not so simple. How to send your parcel by Russian Post and where to find instructions? The question is extremely relevant. Many people complain about the Russian postal service, although in most cases the problems arise due to neglect to study the instructions. How to proceed when sending parcels of this type step by step will be discussed in this article.

How much does it cost to send cargo by a transport company?

Most often, the services of transport companies are used by enterprises engaged in large wholesale trade. They transport goods in large containers using truck, rail and sea transport. Transportation prices depend on the transport company and the nature of the cargo.

But, as a rule, shipping companies engaged in large commercial transport from China can deliver goods to China. The most popular among them are: TK KIT, SDEK, PEK, Business Lines, and the carrier Mist Express operates from Ukraine.

You can only send parcels weighing up to 20 kg by mail.

If you need to send a fairly large batch of goods, it would be wise to split it into several parcels: there are a number of restrictions that should be taken into account.

Thus, for shipments within the Russian Federation, the maximum package size is 1.9 × 1.3 × 3.5 m, and the maximum weight is 20 kilograms.

For foreign shipments, the maximum size of parcels is: the sum of three dimensions - 3.0 m, length - 1.50 m, weight - 30 kilograms.

Heavier and larger cargo can be sent using Russian Post, but this depends on the capabilities of the particular post office. There is no exact list of addresses of post offices that provide the ability to send parcels weighing more than 20 and 30 kg on the Russian Post website. The easiest way is to call the Main Post Office of your locality and find out this issue.

You can find the address of the post office closest to you using a special search form.

Make sure you are not sending anything prohibited.

When sending a parcel both within your country and abroad, you should always remember the list of items prohibited for shipment. This will significantly save you time and avoid misunderstandings. The full list of items prohibited for shipment can also be found on the Russian Post website.

Personal customer experience

None of the services can be called perfect. We collected reviews from people who have already used the above-mentioned deliveries and sent parcels abroad and throughout Russia.

Some people have no problems with delivery at all.

There are often reviews that Boxberry violates delivery deadlines.

DPD does not allow you to check the integrity of the order, but they insure all parcels for free.

DHL is one of the most expensive services.

What types of shipments are there?

Types of parcels

The parcel is intended for sending low-value paper attachments (documents, magazines, manuscripts, photographs, books, posters, etc.) Its weight should be from 100 g to 2 kg.

Simple parcel post The cheapest investments are sent this way. Notification of the sender about delivery, assignment of declared value and insurance in this case are not provided. You can get a simple parcel post from the OPS. Registered parcel More valuable investments are sent by registered parcel. When paying, the sender receives a check receipt and a tracking number, and the addressee must sign the notice when he receives it. Such a parcel must be delivered personally to the addressee or his authorized representative. The power of attorney must be notarized. Registered 1st class parcel It features the fastest delivery method (air). It is also handed over personally, for which he must sign. Valuable parcel This is a registered item that is used when transporting investments of special value. In this case, the sender is obliged to indicate the declared value of the cargo. Thanks to it, in the event of loss of a valuable parcel, the addressee has the right to receive compensation from the post office in the amount of the assessment amount and shipping costs.

Types of parcels

Parcel is a common and universal type of postal item. With its help, you can transport not only printed materials, but also goods: electronics, clothing, household items. The packaging can be either a box and filler for fragile items (for example, electronics or dishes), or a plastic bag for items that do not require careful packaging (for example, clothes or shoes).

For this type of shipment, a tracking number is always provided by which you can track its movement.

The parcel may have a declared value, which can be partially or fully compensated in case of loss. If necessary, you can use the SMS notification service. For parcels transported within the country, cash on delivery can be used.

Parcels sent within Russia May contain any attachments, except those prohibited, and weigh up to 20 kg. Items weighing up to 10 kg can be sent at any post office without additional surcharge. The maximum package size in this case is 53 x 38 x 26.5 cm. If the weight exceeds 20 kg, check the sum of the length, height and width measurements. It should not be more than 300 cm. Such a parcel can also be registered at any post office, but with a 40% surcharge for weight. To reduce costs, you can send attachments in smaller packages. Try using an online calculator: this option may be more acceptable. Parcels sent abroad An international parcel can be sent at any branch of the Russian Post. Its weight should not exceed 20 kg, and the package size should not exceed 105 cm (in length, height or width - not the sum of the three sides!) Small package A small package is a small parcel weighing no more than 2 kg. It is used to send goods abroad only. Please note: fragile items cannot be sent in small packages. The minimum package size for this type of shipment is 105 × 148 mm. It is installed so that you can stick a sticker indicating the address of the sender and recipient. The maximum package size based on the sum of length, height and width is 90 cm. However, the maximum package length should not exceed 60 cm. If you are sending something rolled up (for example, drawings, posters, canvases, etc.), The length of the roll must be at least 10 cm for the same reason - so that the post office sticks a sticker with the address. The packaged roll must not have a double diameter of more than 104 cm and a length of more than 90 cm. To send a small package, as for other international shipments, it is necessary to indicate the declared value and fill out the CN22 declaration. Registered small package This type of shipment is distinguished by the fact that it is assigned an international tracking number consisting of thirteen characters. If you need it, a small package can be sent by air. It can also be issued to the addressee against signature. A copy of the painting will be sent to the sender.

Domestic shipments have only a digital tracking number, international shipments have a 13-digit tracking number consisting of numbers and four letters. You will receive a tracking number along with a receipt for payment for postal services.

If lost, the check can be restored at the office from which the parcel was sent (you must remember the date of sending and the window at the post office where your parcel was processed).

Express shipments EMS

This type of parcel can be sent at the post office (when registering, you must indicate that this particular class of shipment is needed), at the EMS office, and when calling a courier. All EMS shipments have a 13-digit tracking number.

This is the only method of sending Russian Post, where you can call a courier to your home to send a parcel - by phone, by calling the EMS department at your place of residence.

You can also leave a request on the Russian Post website. It must indicate your last and first name, the date on which delivery is planned, home address, telephone number and comment (if any). The EMS courier will contact you in advance at the specified telephone number to confirm the time. He will also provide all the documents that need to be filled out. After payment, the courier will pick up your parcel, providing a receipt and tracking number.

A preliminary calculation of the cost of EMS shipments can be viewed in the Parcels section on the Post website by selecting the “Courier” sending method.

• So, for example, sending a parcel weighing 1 kg via EMS will cost from 700 rubles.
• And the cost of the same shipment (1 kg) to China will be from 1985 rubles.

If you are sending a small parcel with dimensions no more than 60×70 cm, EMS can provide you with free postage packaging.

How can you save money when sending a parcel?

International shipments are often very expensive. Let's try to figure out how you can save money.

As you know, the price of all shipments includes VAT of 20%. However, if you ask to pay for its cost in postage stamps, you will receive a saving in the amount of VAT. Based on subparagraph 9 of paragraph 2 of Art. 149 of the Tax Code of the Russian Federation, the sale of stamps is not subject to VAT.

Postal employees themselves do not offer this payment option. Ask about it yourself. There is no need to cover the parcel with stamps: they will be sold only in the operator’s program.

Customs Union

Parcels sent within the Customs Union of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU CU) are not subject to any duties, taxes or excise taxes.

What about customs clearance?

When sending any international postal item, you must fill out a customs declaration CN 22. It is a small sticker with several columns that must be filled in in Latin letters: name of the item, cost of the item in rubles. (keep in mind that if the parcel is lost, you may qualify for compensation in the amount of the specified cost), quantity and weight (to be filled in by the postal service operator).

You can also fill out the CN22 form on the Russian Post website before sending.

Keep in mind that the weight of the postal attachment is agreed upon with the postal employee; you should not enter it directly into the declaration.

The completed form will look like this:

Submitting your item at the post office with a pre-filled and printed form will save you a lot of time.

DPD

The main difference between this delivery service is that the company is an air express delivery company. Shipments are available to 143 countries. The most popular of all destinations are shipments to the USA and China.

DPD is a company founded in 1997.

Advantages of DPD:

• Possibility to choose the most convenient tariff when sending.
• Delivery speed.
• Free guarantee of cargo safety.

Disadvantages of DPD:

• Payment to the courier is only in cash , which, in most cases, is not reported.

How to pack?

Mail delivery is a complex and not always predictable process. Along the way, your parcel will be repeatedly sorted, stored this way and that, and perhaps even dropped. Therefore, it is wise to carefully prepare the item for shipment in advance. This is especially true for fragile and valuable things.

You cannot use your own bags or boxes of any color or size for packaging. According to current rules, postal workers may refuse to accept such a package. If you want to pack it yourself, it is better to buy a bag or box from the post office and carefully pack everything at home. You can also write down the addresses and names of the sender and recipient in advance (this will save you a lot of time).

You also cannot seal the bag or box yourself. This procedure is carried out only by an employee and only with branded postal tape, since the operator is obliged to check the contents of the package in order to prevent prohibited items from being transported.

If you are preparing a large item for shipment, please note that the maximum box size at the post office is 425*265*380 mm.

Registration and sending of parcels

First, find out whether your post office sends packages of the class you need. There are OPS that do not send, for example, international shipments or do not accept outgoing shipments at all. Or maybe your department may not have a bag or box of the right size.

To save time and your own nerves, call the post office and find out all your questions in advance:

8 Free help line of Russian Post 8 Free help line of EMS Russian Post

To send parcels weighing more than 20 kg, check which office nearest you deals with this, most often this is the Main Post Office.

It is more convenient to find out the operating mode of the OPS you need by phone. The post office is an extremely busy enterprise, not always fully staffed. It may work part-time or have only one or two workstations, which attract a large line of customers during rush hour. The telephone operator can tell you when it is best for you to come in order to avoid wasting time.

Some useful tips

• If possible, try to arrive when the branch opens (usually 8 a.m.). The actual processing of a parcel (including international) rarely takes more than 10-15 minutes; a much bigger problem is long standing in line.
• If the post office is equipped with an electronic queue system, try to carefully select the item you need - this is “Sending parcels (regardless of class)”.
• Sometimes the lack of a regular fountain pen can be a problem (especially in small and busy compartments). Take it with you - it can save you a lot of time. Better yet, as we have already written, fill out all the necessary forms at home.
• You need to have your passport with you. In practice, postal employees do not always require it. However, it is on this day that a new operator can work or undergo a check in the department. It will be very annoying if the lack of documents creates difficulties and requires a second visit to the post office.
• Take cash with you - just in case. The card payment terminal in some branches may not work or may not be available at all.
• To reduce the time spent standing in line to a minimum, try to immediately take the necessary documents and fill them out before it is your turn to send the parcel. Please note: if you approach a specialist with unfilled documents, he has the right to work with the next visitor while you fill them out. Your parcel will be processed at the post office only after a specialist has dealt with the question of the visitor who came after you.
• Often there may be a person in line with a postal employee with a bunch of letters to send. Most likely this is the office manager of some enterprise, and each envelope will be weighed, assessed and processed separately. Serving such a visitor can take a long time (sometimes more than an hour). If you notice someone in line with a stack of envelopes, it is better to stand in another one - even if there are more people in it.
• The job of a postal service operator is very stressful and stressful. Do not distract the specialist without good reason when he is serving another visitor. Don't be rude to him, even if it seems to you that he is not always polite to you. Be a correct, attentive and friendly visitor yourself. This way you will significantly simplify the specialist’s work and save your own time and nerves.
• Please keep in mind that a separate postal form is issued for each parcel. If necessary, take more forms in advance (in case of possible errors). A list of the contents in the parcel is submitted to the employee in open form for verification.
• Try not to throw away the payment receipt (or better yet, keep it until the recipient receives the package). The receipt contains a tracking number for tracking. You can restore a check if necessary (this was discussed above), but it is better to avoid losing it. Also, to be on the safe side, you can take a photo of the receipt.
• Avoid sending valuable, fragile items or perishable products via regular mail. If the investment requires special delivery conditions, use the services of commercial express carriers.