How to send a package to Russia?
Are you a company or an individual
and you send parcels or documents to Russia?
You are a Swiss SME or a private person and would like to send goods or documents to Russia regularly or occasionally in a reliable, fast, and inexpensive way? With Expedismart.ch, the first Swiss shipment comparator, you can book online services from professional carriers such as DHL, FedEx, UPS, or TNT. You can open a free account and book your shipment in one minute. You can get a discount of up to 70% thanks to our agreements with our partners, FedEx, UPS, TNT, and Aramex.
Customs formalities for Russia
Required documents
First of all, you should know that Russia is not a member of the EU. Therefore, your parcel to or from Russia should be accompanied by a proforma invoice (automatically generated by Expedismart.ch). The proforma invoice, which you must submit, shows the Russian customs duties the contents of your package. If your goods are of valuable content, you can take parcel insurance. If the goods are sold in Russia, a commercial invoice must be delivered, which you can make yourself or which is filled in automatically when you book your shipment through Expedismart.ch.
Necessary information about your pro-forma invoice or commercial invoice for a shipment to Russia
- The comprehensive address of the sender (you) and the recipient
- An exact description of the goods, the number of packages and the value of the goods in CHF
- If the recipient is a company that is subject to VAT number of this company.
- Do not forget to sign and date the invoice
- Like all pro forma invoices, it must be written in English or in the language of the target country.
CHECK-LIST
- Full address
- Proforma document
- Customs declaration
- No banned goods
Delivery of goods in Russia?
Customs tariffs
First of all, you should know that it is not possible to send a parcel to a private individual. To send something other than a document, it must be addressed to a company. Since its accession to the WTO, Russia has committed itself to implement all WTO provisions, including an average tariff rate of 7.8% on goods. Shipments with a CIF value of less than RUB 5,000 (= approx. CHF 60) are imported duty and VAT free. Imports are listed according to their customs value based on CIF invoices (cost, insurance, freight). This means that the price of the product is added to the transport and insurance costs necessary to deliver it to the destination. When sending samples, companies are exempt from customs duties for two years and from import VAT if they are used for advertising purposes. Biological and pharmaceutical samples must be accompanied by specific certificates. (Russian customs duties)
What is prohibited to import and export from Russia?
In addition, you should ensure that the goods you are sending are not prohibited. For example, the import of alcoholic beverages is permitted. This list varies depending on the carrier (FedEx, UPS, TNT, DHL or Aramex) and also the country.
- Waste
- Fur
- Alcohol
- Tobacco
- Explosive substances
- Toxic Substances
- Civil and service weapons
- Perishables
- Ivory
- Pornographic material
- Narcotics
- Psychotropic substances
- Human Organs
- Human Blood
- Undercover surveillance equipment
* This list can be modified by the country of destination or the carrier.
Making express shipments to Russia
Fragile goods
When shipping glass items or other fragile items, it is important to pack the goods correctly. Packing a package well means protecting your goods. For this reason, use enough padding material such as newspapers, bubble wrap, or foam.
Delivery times
We offer fast and uncomplicated door-to-door shipping. Depending on the shipment, however, customs clearance may take additional time. Also due to the large area of the country, delivery to some Russian cities may take longer. Our customers’ best-known shipping destinations are: Moscow, St. Petersburg, Omsk, Kazan, Ekaterinburg, Rostov-on-Don, and Samara.
Pick-ups and deliveries in Russia
Festive days
As in most countries where the average holiday is low, there are quite a lot of public holidays in Russia. Therefore, when you send an express parcel to this country, make sure that the delivery does not take place during one of these holidays.
- 1st of January: New Year
- 7th of January: Russian Christmas
- 23 of February: Day of the Defender of the Fatherland
- 8th of March: International Women’s Day
- 1st of May: Spring and Labour Day
- 9th of May: Victory Day
- 12th of June: Russia Day
- 4th of November: Day of the Unity of the People
Tracking of express parcels to Russia
Track your shipment
If yes, then track your shipment to Russia on Expedismart.ch.
Do you have a question? Then contact Expedismart directly.
