Country Conditions for Mailing — Russia

Russian Federation

In alignment with U.S. government sanctions and the Bureau of Industry and Security, “luxury goods” destined to Russia require a license and an Internal Transaction Number (ITN). For a list of luxury goods, see Exhibit 533. No exemptions are allowed.

The 10-digit Schedule B number must appear in the HS Tariff Number block on the customs declaration form for each good exported, reexported, or transferred (in country) to and within Russia. See 534.

 

Prohibitions (130)

 

Alcohol products and ethyl alcohol, beer.

Ammunition, and parts thereof.

Calls to extreme and terrorist activities or public justification of terrorism.

Currency of the Russian Federation; foreign currency.

Documents of current and personal correspondence and any correspondence exchanged by the persons not being the sender and recipient or a person residing therewith.

Electric fishing systems and equipment consisting of electric signal generators with connected conductors and accumulators (batteries), employed together to fish biological aquatic resources using electric current.

Equipment for fishing/catching the aqueous biological resources.

Explosives; inflammatory substances, blasting devices, and firing agents.

Hazardous wastes.

Indecent and immoral items.

Items that by their nature or packaging may be hazardous for the postal personnel or ordinary population, or may soil or damage other mail units, postal equipment, or property of the third party.

Ready mesh fishing nets made from synthetic or other polyamide monothreads, with a thread diameter less than 0.5 mm and mesh size less than 100 mm (length of mesh at one side less than 50 mm).

Live animals (see exception for bees, leeches, and silkworms in the Restrictions list).

Materials containing Nazi ideas or symbols, or ideas or symbols that might be confused with those of Nazi ideology.

Narcotics, psychotropic substances, and precursors, including in drug form.

Ozone-depleting substances.

Pathogenic or potentially pathogenic organisms.

Perishable items.

Plant-protection products subject to the provisions of Annexes A and B to the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants of May 22, 2001.

Poisonous substances other than precursors of narcotics and psychotropic substances.

Pornographic materials.

Precious stones of any kind or natural diamonds, except for jewelry.

Printed books, newspapers, pictures, and other products of the printing industry, manuscripts, and miscellaneous documents containing information that could be detrimental to State security, social order, public morals, or property rights, including intellectual property and other interests of natural and legal persons.

Printed or audiovisual materials that are manufactured or distributed in violation of the legal requirements on elections and referenda in member countries of the Eurasian Economic Community Customs Union.

Printed or audiovisual materials if any of the following apply:

1. They are items that propagate extremist or terrorist activities or publicly justify terrorism.
2. They are items of a pornographic nature.
3. They are items intended to spread propaganda containing Nazi ideas or symbols, or ideas or symbols that might be confused with those of Nazi ideology.
4. They are items containing information that could be prejudicial to the political and economic interests of Russia, to public safety, or to the health and morality of its citizens.

Tobacco products or smoking mixtures of any kind.

Weapons of any kind, and parts thereof.

Restrictions  

The following items may be sent only when used for personal use subject to appropriate permission from the Russian national controlling authority:

1. Cryptographic devices and equipment with the cryptographic function.
2. Radioelectric devices and/or high-frequency civil devices, including built-ins or parts of other goods.
3. Bees, leeches, and silkworms accompanied by a veterinary certificate.

The following items are prohibited when sent to or from the address of private individuals for needs that are not related to company activities:

1. Scrap and waste from ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
2. Nonmanufactured precious metals, precious metal scrap and waste, ores and concentrated precious metal products, and primary products containing precious metals.
3. Mineral substances (nonmanufactured natural stones).
4. Information about the Earth’s interior.
5. Technical devices designed for eavesdropping.
6. Human organs and/or tissues, and blood and its components.
7. Radioactive materials.
8. Cultural artifacts.
9. Plants of any kind and in any form, including seeds.

Observations  

1. Articles or parts therefor imported for repair or replacement are exempt from customs duty if the sender’s written declaration is included in the postal item.
2. Articles prohibited as imports into Russia and falsely indicated or not indicated at all on the customs declaration are confiscated.
3. If prohibited articles are sent, one of the following measures is taken:
• Seizure of the prohibited articles only, the rest delivered to the addressee.
• Return of the item to the country of origin.
• Seizure of the whole item.
4. Inherited goods from abroad are admitted and are exempt from customs duties on the basis of certificates issued by consulates of the Russian Federation abroad on the basis of the law of inheritance and the composition of the legacy.
5. It is prohibited to import into Russia postal items from commercial companies intended for private individuals permanently resident in Russia with the exception of legacies as well as articles admitted for repairs or replacement. However, licensed parcels from private parcel companies that have entered into a contract with VO “Vnieshintorg” are admitted. All dispatch formalities must be complied with in accordance with the current regulations in the Russian Federation.
6. As of January 1, 2020, for a postal item arriving to a private individual, the total duty-free value limit and weight import limit are 200 EUR and 31 kg (68 pounds), respectively. If the postal item exceeds either limit, a customs duty fee applies as follows: the greater fee of either 15 percent of the amount exceeding 200 EUR, or at least 2 EUR per kg of the total weight of the postal item.
7. Items not intended for the addressee’s personal use are understood to be items sent systematically in bulk even if they have different addresses and the regulation limit of the articles is complied with for each item separately. Such items are returned to the country of origin.

 

 

Global Express Guaranteed (210) Price Group 4

 

Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.

Weight Limit: 70 lbs.

 

General Conditions for Mailing  

See Publication 141, Global Express Guaranteed Service Guide, for information about areas served in the destination country, allowable contents, packaging and labeling requirements, tracking and tracing, service standards, and other conditions for mailing.

Size Limits (211.22)

The surface area of the address side of the item to be mailed must be large enough to completely contain the Global Express Guaranteed Air Waybill/Shipping Invoice (shipping label), postage, endorsement, and any applicable markings. The shipping label is approximately 5.5 inches high and 9.5 inches long.

Maximum length: 46 inches

Maximum width: 35 inches

Maximum height: 46 inches

Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches

Value Limit (212.1)

The maximum value of a GXG shipment to this country is $2,499 or a lesser amount if limited by content or value.

 

Insurance (212.5)

See Notice 123, Price List, for the fee schedule for GXG document reconstruction insurance and non–document insurance.

 

 

Priority Mail Express
International (220) Price Group 19

 

Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.

Weight Limit: 70 lbs.

 

Priority Mail Express International — Flat Rate Envelopes

Flat Rate Envelopes: The maximum weight is 4 pounds. Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.

 

Size Limits (221.42)

Maximum length: 60 inches

Maximum length and girth combined: 108 inches

Insurance (222.7)

Available for Priority Mail Express International merchandise shipments only

 

See Exhibit 322.2 for individual country merchandise insurance limits. See Notice 123, Price List, for the fee schedule for Priority Mail Express International merchandise insurance coverage.

 

Customs Forms Required (123)

Articles Admitted	Required Customs Form/Endorsement
Correspondence, business papers, and documents.	PS Form 2976-B placed inside PS Form 2976-E (plastic envelope). Endorse item clearly next to mailing label as BUSINESS PAPERS.
Merchandise samples without commercial value.	PS Form 2976-B placed inside PS Form 2976-E (plastic envelope).
Merchandise and all articles subject to customs duty.	PS Form 2976-B placed inside PS Form 2976-E (plastic envelope).

Note: For mailers completing PS Form 2976-B or an online combined shipping label and customs form that electronically transmits customs-related data, no additional customs form is required because customs information is incorporated into the form that the mailer must complete.

Notes:  

1. Addressees are required to obtain import licenses/permits to receive most goods.
2. Coins; banknotes; currency notes, including paper money; securities of any kind payable to bearer; traveler’s checks; platinum, gold, and silver; precious stones; jewelry; watches; and other valuable articles are prohibited in Priority Mail Express International shipments to Russia.

Reciprocal Service Name: EMS

Country Code: RU

Areas Served: All except Chaibucha, Yamsk, Garmanda, Gizhiga, Rep de Tchetchnya, Tachtoyamsk, and Verchniyi paren.

 

Priority Mail International (230) Price Group 19

 

Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.

Weight Limit: 44 lbs.

 

Priority Mail International — Flat Rate

Flat Rate Envelopes or Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes: The maximum weight is 4 pounds. Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.

Flat Rate Boxes — Medium and Large: The maximum weight is 20 pounds, or the limit set by the individual country, whichever is less. Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.

 

Size Limits (231.22)

Maximum length: 42 inches

Maximum length and girth combined: 79 inches

Insurance (232.91)

Available for Priority Mail International merchandise only (see for markings)

 

See Exhibit 322.2 for individual country merchandise insurance limits. See Notice 123, Price List, for the fee schedule for Priority Mail International merchandise insurance coverage.

 

Customs Forms Required (123)

All Priority Mail International items:

PS Form 2976-A inside PS Form 2976-E (envelope)

 

First-Class Mail International (240) Price Group 4

 

Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail price.

Weight Limit: 3.5 oz. for letters and postcards; 15.994 oz. for large envelopes (flats).

Size Limits  

Letters: See 241.212

Postcards: See 241.221

Large Envelopes (Flats): See 241.232

Customs Form Required (123)

None, unless otherwise required (see123.61 and Footnote 4 of Exhibit 123.61)

 

 

First-Class Package International Service (250) Price Group 19

Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail, Commercial Base, or Commercial Plus price.

Weight Limit: 4 lbs.

Size Limits  

Packages (Small Packets): See 251.22 and 251.23.

Customs Form Required (123)

PS Form 2976

 

 

Airmail M-bags (260) —

Direct Sack to One Addressee Price Group 4

 

Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable retail price.

Weight Limit: 66 lbs.

Customs Form Required (123)

PS Form 2976

 

Free Matter for the Blind (270)

Free when sent as First-Class Mail International (documents only), First-Class Package International Service, Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes, or Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes.
Weight limit: 4 pounds.

Free when sent as Priority Mail International items. Weight limit: 15 pounds.

Customs Form Required (123)

First-Class Mail International items:
None, unless otherwise required (see123.61 and Footnote 4 of Exhibit 123.61)

First-Class Package International Service items:
PS Form 2976 as required (see 123.61)

Priority Mail International items (including Priority Mail International Flat Rate Envelopes and Priority Mail International Small Flat Rate Priced Boxes):

PS Form 2976-A inside PS Form 2976-E (envelope)

 

Extra Services  

Certificate of Mailing (310)

 

Individual Pieces — Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable price:

Individual article (PS Form 3817).

Firm mailing books (PS Form 3665), per article listed (minimum 3).

Duplicate copy of PS Form 3817 or PS Form 3665 (per page).

Bulk Quantities — Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable price:

First 1,000 pieces (or fraction thereof).

Each additional 1,000 pieces (or fraction thereof).

Duplicate copy of PS Form 3606.

 

Registered Mail (330)

 

Fee: Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable price.

Maximum Indemnity: $39.86

Available only for First-Class Mail International (including postcards), First-Class Package International Service, and Free Matter for the Blind sent as First-Class Mail International or as First-Class Package International Service.

 

Return Receipt (340)

 

Fee: Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable price.

Available for Registered Mail and insured Priority Mail International parcels only.

 

Restricted Delivery (350)

 

NOT Available for International Mail as of January 27, 2013

 

International Postal Money Order (371)

NOT Available

 

International Reply Coupons (381)

 

NOT Available for International Mail as of January 27, 2013

 

International Business Reply Service (382)

Fee: Refer to Notice 123, Price List, for the applicable price:

Envelopes up to 2 ounces.

Cards.