Moscow - Post Report Question and Answers
How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
Local post is not really usable internationally. It takes 3-6 weeks for DPO depending on what you are getting and the time of year. I usually get my stuff through DPO in about 3 weeks. - Dec 2023
US Embassy mail. - Mar 2019
Most embassy employees use the embassy mailroom via unclassified pouch. Great service and transit times of fewer than two weeks to a bit more than during peak (Christmas holiday) periods. - Nov 2018
Embassy mail. - Oct 2017
No local post. No DPO. Incoming personal pouch averages about 10 days. Outgoing takes about 3 weeks because of bottleneck in Dulles. - Sep 2016
Diplomatic pouch. - May 2016
Regular mail is usually fine, but not if you must be absolutely sure your package will arrive on time - use DHL or similar services. - Sep 2015
DPO at the Embassy. - Jun 2015
Everything was received through pouch. I only once had something rejected (nail polish). - Oct 2014
Diplomatic pouch. - Nov 2013
Pouch, it has some restrictions. - Jul 2013
We use DPO. Russian post is very unreliable, but DHL seems to work ok. Pony Express is notoriously bad. - Jul 2013
Mail comes through the pouch and there are a TON of restrictions. It is a total pain, but like anything else you make do and adapt. It also takes 3-4 weeks to get anything, so you have to be patient. - Jan 2013
Post is moving to pouch-only which means restricted liquids and no lithium batteries. They do have an exception for the size of package that can leave. - Mar 2012
DPO and pouch - May 2011
DPO and diplomatic pouch. - Jan 2011
Usually via work. - Jul 2010
DPO. - May 2010
The embassy has an FPO. You can ship literally anything there. Only problem is it will take anywhere from 2 weeks to 6 months to get your package in the mail (or back to the States). Mail only comes once a week. - May 2010
Sent to my home address. Packages I send using a signature-only service such as USPS express mail and UPS where they call me to make sure that I am home first. This is because, as in many buildings, the delivery guy can't access my floor and hallway unless I am there. - Feb 2010
The embassy has both a DPO and an unclass pouch address for packages and mail. - Jan 2010
DPO. It's slow. - Nov 2009
DPO takes 10 days--why is Amazon so fast? to two months. Two weeks with the pouch is normal - Oct 2009
DPO at post. - Aug 2009
DPO and Pouch. - Aug 2009
I received mail at my dormitory. - Sep 2008
We have access to APO. - Aug 2008
