посылка

[wondershot.livejournal.com]

Not directly language related, but I hope you can still help me:

I'm mailing a package from America to a friend in Russia, but I've heard crazy tales about Russian post offices and I'm concerned that my New Year's gifts might not reach their destination unless I take some special precautions. How would you go about sending a package to Russia? This is my first time doing this.

For instance, I need to write the recipient address in English and Russian, right? And fill out the customs forms of course... I bet this will be so expensive :/

If this has been asked before or some other site talks about this, just point me to a link. Thanks.

Comments

[ksushis.livejournal.com]

I hope I'm not too late with this - I sent a few packages to my parents from the US. I went to the normal USPS office and used the express mail they had - I think it's called EMS. It's way less expensive than DHL or Fedex and it got the package to them within 2 weeks (one time it took about a week even). You can write a phone number in Russia on it and they'll call to make sure people are home and then will deliver the package to them. Very convinient and reliable. Also, you can track it till it leaves the US, which is somewhat useful. If you send it by normal USPS it can take several weeks. Also, depending on how heavy the package is sometimes it doesn't make much of a difference if you use the EMS or just regular USPS.

[wondershot.livejournal.com]

Just in time, thanks!