What is the safest way to send things to Ukraine from the US?

Question

What is the safest way to send things to Ukraine from the US?

Answer 1

The best inexpensive option is USPS Global Priority Mail. It is considerably cheaper than UPS, FedX, or DHL, and it requires signature on delivery in Ukraine.

See http://ircalc.usps.gov/default.aspx?Mode...

Registered mail is not available to Ukraine from the US. Global Priority (or the more expensive Global Express) are considered highly tracable in Ukraine, and will always show up at their destination in tact (even though they are not really traceable there).

DHL is secure, as they are the only international service that has an actual presense in Ukraine. FedX is secure, as they use a national delivery service to disperse their packages in Ukraine. UPS uses... questionable delivery services depending on where the package goes. Of these 3, DHL is the most agreeable concerning the customs forms. But all 3 are expensive going to Ukraine.

Also be aware that you are more likely to have your DHL/FedX/UPS package scrutinized by customs, and the recipient will be responsible for duties on the value of the package - often 21% of the value as determined by customs.

Answer 2

When wen send things to Romania, we use a private shipping company that sends them over by ship to Constanta (I assume there are similar firms that ship into Odessa).  The firm we use has a 40 lb. minimum and includes delivery to the recipient's home in Romania and costs around 90 cents a pound. It's a good deal for things that are not extremely small and valuable or that need to get there quickly because they make quarterly shipments and you need to have a flexible arrival time (ie: ship in October, it gets there before Christmas).  But I have sent over used baby things for poorer cousins of mine, clothes for the adults, candies and food that you can't get over there, music cd's, even a rototiller (agricultural implement) and nothing has been held up at customs or not delivered.  Try going to a Ukrainian church in the area and ask if there is a local shipping company that does freight to Ukraine, they are sure to know of a firm.

Answer 3

To send things from USA its better to use mail company http://meest.net/. If you use normal mail your friends in Ukraine will pay huge taxes and I am not sure they will get the package.

Answer 4

For letters always send "registered" -

For goods, very expensive, but UPS is the only serious solution

Answer 5

by mail?!