Question for RUSSIAN members

A friend in Russia gathered some coins for me from various sources in Moscow and St. Petersburg. When she went to the post office to send them to me in Canada, she was told there were certain rules prohibiting her from sending the coins, especially current Russian coins and also Kazakhstan coins.

Can anyone help us by advising what to do? Apparently some kind of written permission is required?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Quote: KlementzA friend in Russia gathered some coins for me from various sources in Moscow and St. Petersburg. When she went to the post office to send them to me in Canada, she was told there were certain rules prohibiting her from sending the coins, especially current Russian coins and also Kazakhstan coins.

Can anyone help us by advising what to do? Apparently some kind of written permission is required?

Thanks in advance for any help.

I pack my envelopes at home. It is important to make it so that would not have rang.
At post office I tell, that I send "small metal details" or "hand-made postcard with metal details"
All is OK =)

The great way of packing is to put each coin separately into some material that is not affecting coins like foil or lil plastic bags or the parchment paper for example, and then tape them on card and in end cover with another card,
I have sent and received many packs to and from Russia like that.

As the guy said, don't walk into postoffice saying u wanna send coins. I sometimes write down "metal samplings" "metal tokens" "collectible metal discs" etc.
To be honest, "collectible coins" would work as it implies that its non-current circulating money. But it increases the theft possibility by postal workers. None of them however seems to collect "metal round collectibles" though, haha.

If they are valuable use registered post although u will not get payout in case of loss, due to them being uninsurable.
However it makes it pretty sure they reach the destination. Be prepared for long old wait until the recipient gets them. Russian mail service can be very snail-like.

Quote: KartWayThe great way of packing is to put each coin separately into some material that is not affecting coins like foil or lil plastic bags or the parchment paper for example, and then tape them on card and in end cover with another card,
I have sent and received many packs to and from Russia like that.

As the guy said, don't walk into postoffice saying u wanna send coins. I sometimes write down "metal samplings" "metal tokens" "collectible metal discs" etc.
To be honest, "collectible coins" would work as it implies that its non-current circulating money. But it increases the theft possibility by postal workers. None of them however seems to collect "metal round collectibles" though, haha.

If they are valuable use registered post although u will not get payout in case of loss, due to them being uninsurable.
However it makes it pretty sure they reach the destination. Be prepared for long old wait until the recipient gets them. Russian mail service can be very snail-like.

Yes, absolutely right

I just go with Numismatic Supplies since it's a bit too complex for even English speakers to grasp what may be inside...can't go wrong with that.

I am getting the distinct impression that it is actually illegal to send the coins out of the country?

Quote: KlementzI am getting the distinct impression that it is actually illegal to send the coins out of the country?

I did swap with several Russian Numista members before and all went good. Coins packed properly so nobody can notice the content and hope for the best.
Anyway, avoid heavy letters (more than 80 gr) and accept that in some countries it's illegal to send coins.

Best regards, Tony
 

Thanks for the advice, everyone.

We are going with multiple, light letters, packed to obscure, and all registered.

Russia is not the only country where you have to lie of sending coins. The list is long. Few months ago someone created a topic that France also forbid mailing coins. In Ireland is the same. Many other countries have the same policy. I think that USA forbids sending silver and gold (all kinds, including coins) out of country.

However, I had swaps with Russian collectors and I have sent coins to Russia before - all with regular mail with no tracking number and I've never had any problem - whereever you are the trick is always the same - don't tell them that coins are inside and make sure that it is not obvious.

Here's a complete list of countries and their mailing restrictions courtesy of USPS:

http://pe.usps.com/text/imm/ab_toc.htm

I was thinking about this last night, and having a vague recollection that Canada also has these restrictions. Luckily, the answer for Canada is "not really":

From Canada Post:

Coins; banknotes; currency notes; ...  gold, silver, platinum, ... may be sent only in registered items.
Exceptions:
Coins sent to or from collectors or dealers may be mailed in ordinary (uninsured) parcels.