How to send a parcel to the USA from the USA

Sending gifts from America to your family or friends back home is a troublesome, but enjoyable task. Especially if you find an inexpensive and reliable delivery option. ForumDaily found out what can and cannot be sent overseas, how long it will take for a package to travel from one end of the world to the other, and how much it costs.

From America with the package

Natalia Zakharova has been living in the USA for several years. She moved from Russia, although she herself is from Kazakhstan. It was there that her parents and relatives remained. She sends them packages quite often. They are usually - clothes for children and adults and sweets. In order to send parcels, Natalia chooses the airmail by regular USPS mail.

“I buy a box at the post office in advance, pack and seal everything at home. I always pay for additional insurance for premium status - this way the parcel goes faster. It turns out to be more expensive - for a parcel weighing 8-12 kg it costs more than $100 - but it is safe, and it is possible to track the movement of the cargo using tracking,” shares Natalya.

But for Victoria Mikhlova, who moved to the United States 9 years ago from Ukraine, USPS mail services were not suitable precisely because of the high cost. She sent a lot of parcels to different cities - not only to her relatives, but also to orphanages and to charity. Among the advantages of USPS, Natalia notes the speed of delivery; among the disadvantages, besides the high cost, there are restrictions on what can be put in parcels that will be delivered by air.

In the end, Victoria chose the Meest courier service. “You can send boxes with a lot of weight. Food, clothes, toys - everything arrives without problems. It is convenient that it is possible to track the parcel. In addition, once the courier did not find the recipient at home and left. I called the Meest branch in the USA - on the same day they called the recipient and re-delivered the parcel,” Victoria lists the company’s advantages.

Victoria Mikhlova chooses a meest courier service. Photos from the personal archive

Another Ukrainian, Olga Khvastovich, who has been living in the United States for 3 years, also sends many parcels to her homeland. She herself comes from Donbass and it is there that she sends things and gifts - not only to family and friends, but also to orphanages, children of refugees and local residents affected by the war. Of all the possible options, she chose the American charitable mission “Nazarene”, which sends parcels by sea. This type of delivery takes much longer - about two months, but this does not bother Olga - neither the clothes, nor toys, nor the dry food that she sends spoils. “It turns out cheaper than other services, for much more weight,” says Olga. “In addition, you can track the parcel, and they deliver it directly to the recipient’s home.”

Olga Khvastovich considers the Nazarene service the most convenient option. Photos from the personal archive

ForumDaily compared the services of basic services that are engaged in sending international parcels from the United States so that everyone can make their choice.

Price issue

The cost of sending is one of the main factors that most often tips the scales in favor of one service or another.

Pros and cons of each of the services

1. US Postal Service (USPS)

Usually USPS works without complaints - all deliveries are made on time. For most parcels, it is a week or two. But even on their website they write that the time may vary depending on the destination. In the case of sending to the CIS countries, parcels often go longer because of delays at domestic receiving points. In addition, recipients sometimes complain that parcels from America are printed in the local post offices. You can track how and at what stage the delay occurs if you select a tariff with a tracking number. And the insurance will protect you from losses, even if the parcel is lost.

USPS international services are quite expensive. How much will it cost to deliver exactly your package can be calculated using a calculator on USPS page.

Helpful advice: Standard shipping boxes can be taken at USPS offices for free - they are located on a special stand at the entrance. They are allowed to take them home and later bring the ready-made package to the department.

2. Meest

Courier services are also popular, which deliver goods directly to the recipient.

Meest is one such service. The company sends parcels to individuals in the countries of Eastern Europe, Central Asia and the Caucasus.

Since the main office of Meest is located in New Jersey, the package must first be sent there. This can be done either by courier or FedEx delivery service.

To find a courier nearby, you can use the search.

If you send it yourself, FedEx stickers and instructions can be found on the courier service website.

When collecting a parcel, first of all make sure that it does not exceed the permissible weight standards and does not contain any prohibited products. The list can be viewed on the Meest page.

Helpful advice: Choosing a tariff, pay attention to the final destination. This can be a post office (cheaper) or directly to the recipient (more expensive, because the courier passes from hand to hand). If the courier did not catch the recipient at home, then you can contact the Meest branch and arrange another delivery. Whether there is a Courier delivery in your country, it is better to clarify in the Meest.

3. Charitable mission "Nazarene"

The mission "Nazarene", in addition to charity, is also involved in the delivery of goods to the countries of the former Soviet Union. The company's head office is located in Portland (Oregon), but there are collection points in different states of the United States.

Delivery is carried out in the cities of Russia, Ukraine, Belarus, the Baltic States (Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia), Moldova, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan.

It is possible to track the barcode https://www.izakayasushilounge.com.

Delivery to the post office. If you pay $ 10 on delivery to Ukraine and Belarus by sea, the package will be handed directly to the customer.

4. Courier services Fedex, DHL, UPS

They work mainly with companies and sending documents. On time, safe, but very expensive rates. For individuals it is recommended to send by courier service, if urgency is important and the cost of sending is not important.

What can not be sent in the parcels

Before you collect the parcel, it is important to know what is possible and what cannot be sent. The list of prohibited items is on the website of the state mail USPS, Meest postal service, and also on courier delivery sites FedEx, UPS.

The lists may differ slightly for different services, although the basis of the list remains the same. Also note that for air shipments the requirements are more stringent - for example, you may be allowed to send liquids and perfumes/varnishes by sea, but never by air.

In addition, the country to which the package is sent may also have its limitations. Therefore, before sending be sure to check the requirements of the courier service and the specific country.

Customs conditions

When sending a parcel abroad, it is very important to fill out the CN23 customs declaration correctly - this determines whether customs will allow it to go abroad. The document must indicate the cost of each item that you include in the parcel. Moreover, you definitely need to be as specific as possible about what you are sending. If you simply write “things,” then at customs the parcel will definitely be opened for inspection.

Each of the countries of the former Soviet Union has its own customs restrictions on the delivery of parcels. They, in particular, relate to the maximum allowable weight and value of items invested in the parcel.

See also:

How to buy a car in the USA

How to get a credit card and build a good credit history

How to get rights in the US

10 about honest ways to stay in the USA

We become obese in the USA: what to carry to the bank and how to make certificates

How to get an education in the USA and how much it costs

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