Sending parcels from Germany to Russia

Current information as of June 2024. Attention: since April 1, 2023, changes have been made to the description of parcel contents in connection with the EU’s 10th sanctions package against the Russian Federation. Read more here.

At present, the cheapest and most reliable way to send your personal belongings from Germany to Russia is, as before, regular parcels. Below are questions and answers about sending parcels via Russian Post/Deutche Post.

We are not considering various courier services at this time. This option is better suited to shipping bulky items or urgent deliveries.

All the information below is for reference only and is in no way official; it has been compiled based on responses from participants in our Telegram chat “Path Home” or t.me/domojput.

Join us in the chat, where you will find many answers to other questions related to the resettlement of our compatriots from Germany to Russia.

QUESTION: Can parcels and letters currently be sent from Germany to Russia via the German postal service or a “Russian shop”? Do parcels reach their recipients in Russia?

ANSWER: Yes, they can. Everything works as before. Parcels are reliably delivered.

Despite the sanctions and loud statements about ending operations with Russia, DHL still accepts mail items bound for the Russian Federation. In practice, just as before, all items—both parcels and letters—dropped off at Deutsche Post offices are delivered to the Russian Post distribution center in Berlin and then sent onward.

QUESTION: How long does a parcel take?

ANSWER: 8-10 days to Moscow and Saint Petersburg, 10-14 days to Central Russia, and up to 21 days to Siberia and other regions.

QUESTION: How do I send a parcel or letter from Germany to Russia? And how much does it cost?

ANSWER: There are several options. The only small differences are the price and the service, and whether you are more comfortable communicating in Russian or German.

1. Through Russian Post drop-off points, which are usually located in Russian-speaking shops. They collect parcels every day. Find the nearest address on ruspost.eu or by calling +49 30 746 83 228 (Russian Post branch in Berlin).

• Deutsche Post or regular German postal service. Arrange to send the parcel through DHL “nach Russland”. In any case, the parcel goes to the Russian Post office in Berlin, but it costs a couple of euros less. If you register on dhl.de and print the labels online, it costs even less.

Brief price comparison of parcel drop-off points:

Deustche Post/DHLwww.dhl.de		Russian Post (drop-off point)www.ruspost.eu
Weight	Price		Weight	Price
up to 2 kg	19,49 €		up to 2 kg	25 €
up to 5 kg	32,99 €		up to 5 kg	37 €
up to 10 kg	39,99 €		up to 10 kg	43 €
up to 20 kg	56,99 €		up to 15 kg	54 €
			up to 20 kg	59 €
			Registered letter	30 €

Maximum parcel size in any case: 120 х 60 х 60 cm.

QUESTION: How detailed should the description of the parcel contents be?

Attention: since April 1, 2023, changes have been made to the description of parcel contents in connection with the EU’s 10th sanctions package against the Russian Federation. Read more here.

ANSWER: The customs declaration uses general terms such as clothing, shoes, children’s items, used items, sweets, dishes, etc.

For electrical goods, it is better to specify the exact price. It is very important to state that all items are used and mark them as a “gift”. This is especially important for power tools and auto parts. If you are sending any liquids, such as syrup or shampoo, be sure to specify this so there is no suspicion that it is alcohol (which is prohibited from being shipped). Avoid the words “souvenirs” and “knives”, as these may attract additional attention from Russian customs.

QUESTION: How can I find out where a sent parcel is now?

ANSWER: Previously, parcel status could be tracked through the Russian Post mobile app or directly on www.pochta.ru. But at present, due to well-known events, the website and app cannot be accessed from the European Union. Everything works perfectly from Russia.

You can use alternative tracking services, for example www.track24.ru/service/rupost/

QUESTION: What must not be sent in a parcel?

ANSWER: Any alcohol, seeds and plants, rechargeable batteries, and expensive electronics (laptops, smartphones, microelectronics, photo and video equipment). More detailed information is available on the Russian Post and Russian Customs Service websites.

All parcels pass through a scanner at Russian customs, so it is not worth taking risks, especially with alcohol. The parcel may be returned to the sender or a fine may be imposed and the prohibited items confiscated.

QUESTION: What must not be sent in parcels because of the European Union’s sanctions against Russia?

ANSWER: Military and dual-use goods: binoculars, quadcopters, thermal imagers, and more.

Expensive electronics and “branded” items (clothing, bags) worth more than 300 €. Because of the European Union sanctions imposed against Russia, German customs has stepped up its work and now scans all shipments from Germany to Russia. If a customs officer suspects that there are expensive items inside, they have the right to open the parcel. In that case, they value the item based on a Google search; its actual purchase price does not interest them. If the price is significantly above 300 €, it is simply confiscated for the benefit of the state. There have already been cases. It is pointless to argue, since exporting goods subject to EU sanctions is a criminal offense. Although official documents on the prohibitions specify a threshold of up to 750 € for electronics (computers, laptops), in practice Russian Post employees themselves advise not to exceed the 300 € threshold.

QUESTION: How many parcels can be sent per month?

QUESTION: In practice and based on experience, one parcel per week per person, weighing up to 20 kg, gets through without problems. If you send more frequently, customs issues may arise.

Officially, the total value of all parcels sent per month must not exceed 1000€ per person. This rule is currently in effect temporarily until April 1, 2023, but it will most likely be extended. The previous limit was no more than 200 € per month per person. If you exceed the limit, you will have to pay a customs duty of 15 % of the value, but no less than 2 € per 1 kg of the excess.

That is, it does not matter who sends parcels from Germany; what matters is who the recipient in Russia is. The limit applies specifically to them. In addition, if you send many parcels at the same time to different people but specify the same address, this may also arouse customs’ suspicion.

QUESTION: What should you do if your parcel arrives in Russia with a customs notification?

ANSWER: This means customs has questions about the contents of your parcel or the frequency of shipments. The parcel is being held at the post office (free of charge for 10 days), but it will not be handed over to you without customs’ permission.

What should you do? First, go to the post office. They will give you documents stating the reason the parcel was held and the address of the customs authority you need to contact. You will need to fill out forms there explaining the situation and stating the value of the items. Employees are generally accommodating and often willing to help.

QUESTION: What do you recommend if I plan to send a lot of personal belongings in parcels?

ANSWER:

 1. Do not put identical items in one parcel. For example, 5 pairs of trousers of the same size, new with tags, may already be considered a commercial consignment.

 2. Do not send parcels to the same address more than once a week. If you send them more often to the same address but use different names, this too may arouse suspicion that you are running a business.

 3. Send electronics without their original boxes and worth no more than 300 €. It is not recommended to send new Iphone 14 or Playstation 5 consoles! There is a high likelihood that German customs will confiscate the items as part of its sanctions enforcement.

 4. In the customs declaration, state that all items are used and tick the “gift” box. It is also better not to value the parcel at more than 300 €.

 5. For Russian customs, you can also handwrite the parcel contents in Russian on a separate sheet of paper and attach it to the top of the parcel so that it is visible.

 6. In the contents declaration form, list the items by type, describing everything briefly. This will mean fewer questions from customs when the parcel is scanned.

IMPORTANT! All advice is based on collective experience and is provided as a recommendation.

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