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How to Send a Letter or Parcel from Russia

A pre-send checklist for letters and parcels: route availability, prohibited items, customs declaration, address, receipt, and tracking number.

Open official guideStarts with: Russian Post: international parcels

Route

Where this fits

Check what usually comes before or after this guide.

Before thisModerate Risk

Document checklist for your first days in Russia

Postal sending starts with separating ordinary copies from documents that should stay with the traveler.

Before thisModerate Risk

How to prepare cash and customs declaration

International parcels can trigger customs declarations, so cash and restricted-item checks should stay nearby.

Fast path

Do this in order

Start here if you only need the order. Detailed notes are lower on this page.

  1. Step 1

    Check the route

    Confirm that Russian Post accepts mail to the destination country or region and that the recipient can receive it.

    Tip: For international mail, check both Russia and the destination country.

  2. Step 2

    Remove prohibited items

    Compare the contents with prohibited and restricted item lists before you buy packaging.

    Tip: Do not send cash, bank cards, passport, or controlled medicine by ordinary mail.

  3. Step 3

    Prepare packaging and description

    Pack the item so the contents can be described honestly and the address remains readable.

    Tip: Photograph the contents and packaging for your own records.

  4. Step 4

    Fill forms without shortcuts

    If a customs declaration is required, enter the real contents, quantity, value, and purpose.

    Tip: Do not ask staff to record a false description or value.

  5. Step 5

    Save receipt and tracking

    After payment, save the receipt, tracking number, and address-label photo. Share tracking with the recipient.

    Tip: Without receipt and tracking, a disputed shipment is harder to resolve.

This guide is informational, not an official service. Requirements and app availability can change. Use the official links when you are ready to act.

Prepare

What you need

  • Recipient address and contact

    Write the address in the destination-country format and verify the recipient's phone or other contact.

  • Contents description

    Make an honest list of what is inside before filling any form or customs declaration.

  • Prohibited-items and customs check

    Before packing, check prohibited or restricted items and whether a customs declaration is needed.

Checklist

Mark it off

Before you start

  • Destination and delivery possibility checkedRequired
  • Contents checked against prohibitions and restrictionsRequired
  • Recipient address and contact checkedRequired
  • Customs declaration need understoodRecommended

After you are done

  • Receipt and tracking number savedRequired
  • Recipient has received the tracking numberRecommended
  • Packaging and address photos savedOptional

Details

Detailed notes

Use these notes when the fast path is not enough. Each step shows what to do, how to check it, and what to avoid.

  1. Step 1

    Check

    Check the route

    1Compare source
    2Confirm status
    3Continue

    Step 1

    Check the route

    Confirm that Russian Post accepts mail to the destination country or region and that the recipient can receive it.

    Do

    Compare the result with the official source or provider page before you rely on it.

    Check

    Make sure the name, status, date, provider, or app developer matches the expected result.

    Avoid

    Avoid continuing if the result looks different from the source-backed guide.

    Tip

    For international mail, check both Russia and the destination country.

  2. Step 2

    Check

    Remove prohibited items

    1Compare source
    2Confirm status
    3Continue

    Step 2

    Remove prohibited items

    Compare the contents with prohibited and restricted item lists before you buy packaging.

    Do

    Compare the result with the official source or provider page before you rely on it.

    Check

    Make sure the name, status, date, provider, or app developer matches the expected result.

    Avoid

    Avoid continuing if the result looks different from the source-backed guide.

    Tip

    Do not send cash, bank cards, passport, or controlled medicine by ordinary mail.

  3. Step 3

    Documents

    Checklist

    1Prepare item
    2Check spelling
    3Keep copy

    Step 3

    Prepare packaging and description

    Pack the item so the contents can be described honestly and the address remains readable.

    Do

    Prepare the document, item, or information named in this step before you visit or submit anything.

    Check

    Check names, dates, spelling, and whether an original, copy, or translation is needed.

    Avoid

    Avoid sending sensitive document numbers or scans through unofficial forms.

    Tip

    Photograph the contents and packaging for your own records.

  4. Step 4

    Browser

    Fill forms without shortcuts

    1Open official page
    2Check address
    3Continue

    Step 4

    Fill forms without shortcuts

    If a customs declaration is required, enter the real contents, quantity, value, and purpose.

    Do

    Open the official or provider page linked from this guide, then follow the page instructions.

    Check

    Check the domain, page title, and provider name before you enter details or download anything.

    Avoid

    Avoid links from random chats, unofficial mirrors, or pages that imitate a provider.

    Tip

    Do not ask staff to record a false description or value.

  5. Step 5

    Check

    Save receipt and tracking

    1Compare source
    2Confirm status
    3Continue

    Step 5

    Save receipt and tracking

    After payment, save the receipt, tracking number, and address-label photo. Share tracking with the recipient.

    Do

    Compare the result with the official source or provider page before you rely on it.

    Check

    Make sure the name, status, date, provider, or app developer matches the expected result.

    Avoid

    Avoid continuing if the result looks different from the source-backed guide.

    Tip

    Without receipt and tracking, a disputed shipment is harder to resolve.

Open when needed

Useful links

Open these when a step points you to an official page, provider page, or child guide.

Check before packing

Official linkRussian Post: international parcelsOfficial page for checking international parcel sending.www.pochta.ruOfficial linkRussian Post: prohibited itemsCheck items before packing and paying.www.pochta.ruOfficial linkRussian Post: customs clearanceCheck whether a declaration is needed and what details to enter.www.pochta.ruGuideDocument folderCheck which documents should stay with you instead of being mailed.GuideCash and customs rulesCheck cash and monetary instruments separately before travel or sending.GuideFull postal-sending articleMore context on parcels, declarations, receipts, and tracking numbers.

Avoid

Common traps

Sending a passport, card, or cash by ordinary mail

Use an official document route or keep those items with you.

Packing before checking prohibitions

Check prohibited and restricted item lists first.

Undervaluing or falsely describing contents

Fill forms honestly and keep proof.

Questions

Quick answers

Sources and report outdated information3 sources. Open this when you want to verify the guide or send a correction.

Sources

https://www.pochta.ru/support/parcels/internationalhttps://www.pochta.ru/support/post-rules/prohibited-for-deliveryhttps://www.pochta.ru/support/post-rules/customs-clearance

Report outdated information

Tell us what looks wrong or needs checking. We review reports before changing guides.

Do not include passport details, phone numbers, bank card data, migration documents, biometrics, or other sensitive personal data.

Next

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