Shipping to Russia has changed dramatically in recent years. If you are an SME that wants to ship or import outside the EU, you’ve probably noticed that shipping to Russia now involves sanctions, carrier suspensions and a lot of extra paperwork. ParcelParcel is the shipping aggregator that helps you handle this complexity. We compare major couriers (DHL, FedEx, UPS, DPD, DSV and Skynet), help you understand customs and sanctions requirements, and make sure that, if a shipment is still allowed, you ship in the safest and most compliant way possible. Many companies still try to figure all this out manually, without realising it can be faster and smarter. Our goal is to give you clarity, speed and control, without you having to become a sanctions expert yourself.
Chantal has been writing about logistics topics for almost two decades and has worked for major international carriers.
Since 2022, the EU has introduced multiple packages of sanctions against Russia, impacting trade, transport, technology and many other sectors.
For shippers, this means:
Many types of goods are restricted or completely prohibited.
Some Russian consignees and companies are on sanctions lists.
Financial transactions, insurance and transport services can be blocked.
Major couriers have suspended or severely limited services to and from Russia.
So the first question is no longer “What does it cost?” but “Is this shipment even allowed?”
That’s where ParcelParcel comes in: we help you check what’s possible and what isn’t, before you invest time and money in a shipment that may never leave the warehouse.
You might be searching for DHL shipping to Russia and expecting the same services as before 2022. Unfortunately, that’s no longer the case.
DHL announced that many transports between European countries and Russia are suspended, and that bookings for new shipments on these routes are not accepted. DHL also reduced services within Russia, stopping most domestic parcel deliveries and focusing only on limited categories such as certain outbound shipments and specific items.
What this means for you:
In many cases, standard commercial parcels from the EU to Russia cannot be sent via DHL at the moment.
Only very specific shipments (for example humanitarian or diplomatic items) may still be handled by certain DHL divisions, and usually under strict conditions.
Availability can change quickly as sanctions are updated.
Through ParcelParcel, you can:
Check whether any DHL option is currently available for your shipment type.
Get advice on packaging and documentation that match DHL’s guidelines.
Quickly compare DHL with other carriers if there is an alternative.
On your website, you can link the anchor text “international shipping with DHL” to your dedicated DHL information page as an internal link.
The situation for UPS shipping to Russia is even clearer: UPS has temporarily suspended all international shipping services to and from Russia as part of its response to the conflict in Ukraine.
For you as a shipper, this means:
You cannot book new UPS parcels to Russia.
Parcels that were in transit when services stopped are, where possible, returned to the sender.
There is no realistic short-term expectation that normal UPS services to Russia will resume soon.
Within ParcelParcel’s platform, UPS will therefore not appear as an option for shipments to Russia as long as these suspensions are in place.
On your website, the anchor text “international shipping with UPS” can be internally linked to your UPS carrier page to help users learn more about other UPS routes that are still available worldwide.
Even if DHL shipping to Russia and UPS shipping to Russia are largely suspended, some shipments may still be possible via other carriers or service types, but only if they fully comply with sanctions and customs rules.
ParcelParcel helps you by:
Checking feasibility first
We start by looking at your goods, HS codes, shipper and receiver details, and the purpose of the shipment. If we see that sanctions or carrier restrictions make the shipment impossible, we tell you honestly, so you don’t waste time.
Comparing multiple couriers in one place
When there are compliant options, we compare routes and services from DHL, FedEx, DPD, DSV and Skynet. You see transit times, prices and service levels in a single view—no contracts, no subscriptions, just clear choices.
Handling customs paperwork
Shipping to Russia requires meticulous customs documentation. ParcelParcel helps you prepare commercial invoices, packing lists and other required data, so your shipment gets the best possible chance of moving smoothly.
Monitoring changes
Sanctions can change fast. Our team follows carrier updates and legal developments, and we adjust routing options in our system accordingly. You ship with current information, not last year’s assumptions.
To make this even easier, you can direct users to your ParcelParcel shipping calculator for international parcels as an internal link. There they can instantly see if any indicative options appear for Russia or alternative destinations.
You can also interlink to your Russian customs information page (for example with the anchor text “Russian customs regulations outside the EU”) so users understand the broader customs context.
Before you even start comparing rates, take these steps:
Check if your goods are allowed
Certain products (especially in energy, technology, dual-use items, luxury goods and defense-related categories) are heavily restricted or banned under EU sanctions.
Verify the consignee
Make sure the Russian company or individual is not on an EU or other sanctions list. If they are, you should not proceed with the shipment.
Review the latest sanctions
Always consult up-to-date information. A good starting point is the official EU Sanctions Map, which shows current restrictive measures against Russia and other countries.
Prepare accurate customs data
Ensure your HS codes, product descriptions, values and Incoterms are correct. Errors can lead to delays, fines or seizure.
Talk to experts
For sensitive or high-value shipments, consider legal or compliance advice as well. ParcelParcel can work alongside your advisors to translate compliance requirements into practical shipping solutions.
Remember: ParcelParcel will never help you bypass or evade sanctions. Our role is to help you ship faster and smarter within the rules, not around them.
In some cases, the answer will be: you cannot ship to Russia right now, at least not legally and with reputable couriers. This might be due to:
The type of goods (for example, restricted technology or dual-use items).
The consignee appearing on a sanctions list.
A complete carrier suspension for that origin–destination combination.
New sanctions packages that close previously available routes.
Even then, knowing this early is valuable. Instead of chasing quotes that will never materialise, you can explore alternative markets, routes or business models—while staying fully compliant.
ParcelParcel’s promise: we give you a realistic picture and the best available options. No false promises, just clear answers.
If international shipping feels complicated and unpredictable, you are not alone. Shipping to Russia in particular has become a highly regulated and restricted route.
ParcelParcel is here to bring clarity, speed and control. As an SME that ships or imports outside the EU, you get:
One platform to compare trusted couriers.
Practical support with customs and documentation.
Honest guidance about what is and isn’t possible under current sanctions.
Ready to ship smarter, within the rules? Start today with ParcelParcel: no contracts, no subscriptions, just expert support whenever you need it.
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In many cases, standard commercial parcel shipping to Russia from the EU is no longer possible with the big express couriers. Several major carriers have suspended most or all services to and from Russia due to the war in Ukraine and international sanctions.
However, there may be limited, highly specific exceptions (for example certain humanitarian or diplomatic shipments). Through ParcelParcel, we first check whether your goods, consignee and route are allowed at all. If there is a compliant option through one of our carriers, we’ll help you book it. If not, we tell you clearly—so you stay safe and avoid unnecessary costs.
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DHL has significantly reduced its operations related to Russia. Many transports between Europe and Russia were suspended, and domestic parcel services in Russia have been largely stopped. DHL focuses only on limited categories of shipments, under strict conditions.
For most SMEs looking for regular DHL shipping to Russia, this currently means there is no standard service available. ParcelParcel monitors DHL updates and can quickly tell you whether your specific shipment might be eligible or not.
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No. UPS has temporarily suspended all international shipping services to and from Russia, as well as to and from Ukraine and Belarus.
This means you cannot book new UPS shipping to Russia through ParcelParcel or directly with UPS at this time. When you use our shipping calculator, UPS simply won’t be shown as an option for Russia until the company changes its policy.
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If a shipment to Russia is still legally and operationally possible, you’ll typically need:
A detailed commercial invoice with accurate HS codes and values
A packing list
The correct Incoterms (for example DAP or DDP, depending on the agreement)
Export declarations where required
Any licences or permits needed under EU or national sanctions rules
ParcelParcel helps you collect and structure this information so it matches carrier and customs requirements. Our goal is to make your customs process as smooth as possible—while always staying within the legal framework.
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ParcelParcel is designed for SMEs that want to ship outside the EU without losing control. For Russia, that means we:
Check sanctions and carrier restrictions that affect your shipment.
Show you only options that are realistically bookable and legally allowed.
Help you prepare documents that meet customs and carrier standards.
Keep you updated when regulations or service availability change.
Why do companies like yours choose ParcelParcel? Because we make complex international shipping—parcels, pallets and urgent deliveries, transparent again, with sharp rates where possible and personal support when things get complicated.
If you’re considering shipping to Russia, start by contacting ParcelParcel. We’ll help you find out quickly whether it’s feasible, which carriers can help, and what you need to stay fully compliant.Did this answer help?
You can instantly check the shipping costs through our rate calculator. Enter the weight, dimensions, and destination country of your shipment, and you will see all available shipping options along with their respective delivery times. The calculator can be used to compare shipping rates for both export and import shipments.
If you need help calculating a shipping rate, watch the video below. Click on the 
button to play the video and the 
icon to view the video in fullscreen.
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Shipping costs are calculated based on dimensions (LxWxH in cm), weight (in kg), and the destination country. Both the actual weight (as shown on the scale) and the volumetric weight are considered.
The volumetric weight is the weight calculated based on the space your shipment occupies in the plane. The higher of the two weights (volumetric or actual weight) is used to calculate the shipping rate. You don't need to calculate this yourself; our calculator does it for you.
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You can use the discount code PP10 for 10% discount on the transportation costs of your first shipment. You can apply the discount code during the checkout process (instructions).
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Whether additional costs apply depends on whether your shipment stays within the European Union or is sent to/from a country outside the European Union. Below, you can see the additional costs for each situation.
Within the European Union
If, for example, you send a shipment from the Netherlands to Italy (within the EU), there will be an additional 21% VAT on the shipping costs.
Furthermore, if your shipment stays within the European Union, you won't have to deal with any import duties or customs clearance fees because your shipment doesn't go through customs. Please note that the European Union is not the same as Europe.
View here all the countries that are part of the European Union. For example, Switzerland is part of Europe but not part of the European Union.
Outside the European Union
If, for example, you send a shipment from the Netherlands to the United States, there will be no VAT (0%) applied to the displayed shipping rates.
However, there might be import duties levied by customs in the destination country if you send a shipment to/from a country outside the European Union. Typically, customs costs are charged to the recipient. This is known as Delivered At Place (DAP) in logistics terminology.
Customs is a government agency that levies import duties in certain cases to protect the local market. As a company, you can also ship using Delivered Duty Paid (DDP), which means any customs costs will be charged to you as the sender.
If you have any questions about this topic, feel free to contact us. Additionally, you can read everything about import duties, VAT, and the customs clearance process in this blog.
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A customs invoice is a form where all the goods you want to ship are specified. This invoice includes an English description of the goods, along with their corresponding value and weight.
The contents of your shipment must be specified per type of product you're sending to avoid delays at customs. A customs invoice is always prepared in quadruplicate in accordance with customs guidelines.
When is a customs invoice required?
A customs invoice is only required for shipments to/from countries outside the European Union (e.g., Netherlands - United States). If your shipment stays within the European Union (e.g., Netherlands - Italy), your shipment will not go through customs, and therefore, a customs invoice is not required.
Additionally, document shipments are not subject to customs, so if you're sending a document to a country within/outside the European Union, no customs invoice is needed.
Please note that not all goods can be shipped to every country. You can find a list of goods that cannot be sent via ParcelParcel on this page.
Do I need to create a customs invoice myself?
If you're sending a shipment to/from a country outside the European Union, it's mandatory to include a customs invoice with the shipment. We provide free support in creating a customs invoice.
You can easily generate a customs invoice through our shipping platform. The customs invoice will be automatically generated based on the content you specified during your booking.
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You can import just as easily as export via ParcelParcel.
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You can find a list of goods that cannot be shipped via ParcelParcel on this page.
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