Ukrposhta: The support we are receiving from posts all over the world is very important
For almost two months now, the national postal operator of Ukraine, JSC “Ukrposhta”, has been working under martial law. Despite the closed airspace, the company has managed to maintain domestic and to resume international delivery. Currently, about 6,000 Ukrposhta post offices are working in Ukraine, and most of which accept and deliver items.
In addition, the postal operator is relocating enterprises from the war zone to peaceful areas, and is delivering humanitarian aid to the war-affected population.
Since the first days of the war, world posts have been supporting Ukraine and its people by collecting and delivering humanitarian aid at their own expense, accepting Ukrainian import mail, as well as introducing preferential terms for addressed items to Ukraine. The Ukrainian diaspora is among the largest in the world. Not surprisingly, many Ukrainians living abroad, as well as many foreigners who have friends in Ukraine want to support them in such a difficult time and to send parcels with necessary things.
Realizing this, as well as wishing to demonstrate their solidarity with Ukraine, 14 national postal operators have waived postage charges for mail addressed to Ukraine. Such postal items should bear a specific address in Ukraine, a postcode, the recipient’s name and phone number. As the national postal operator, Ukrposhta then delivers these items free of charge to its post offices in Ukraine, where addressees can pick them up.
It is possible to send clothes, household goods, up to 10 kg of factory packed food, a small amount of over-the-counter medications. It is forbidden to send alcohol and military goods.
Ukrposhta CEO, Igor Smelyansky commented: “I am grateful to the postal operators that ship mail to Ukraine free of charge. This is the example of humanity prevailing over business decisions. The support we are receiving from posts from all over the world is very important for Ukraine and for every Ukrainian,”
- From the first days of the war, Georgian Post launched free shipping to Ukraine.
- Österreichische Post AG (Austria) sends postal items up to 30 kg to Ukraine free of charge from its post offices, as well as from partner branches.
- Omniva (Estonia) also ships parcels weighing up to 30 kg to Ukraine free of charge from all its post offices.
- In Poland, people can send up to 20 kg of humanitarian aid by EMS to Ukraine free of charge. Such parcels can be posted at Poczta Polska post offices that accept EMS items.
- An Post (Ireland) offers its customers to send letters, small packets and parcels up to 20 kg to Ukraine free of charge from any of its post offices. An Post also provides a number of other free services for Ukrainians who have emigrated because of the war: a free mobile SIM card and the first 3-month plans, a secure virtual address (for those who do not have a fixed postal address yet), receiving and sending Western Union money transfers without fees, etc.
- Slovenská pošta (Slovakia) ships parcels up to 5 kg to Ukraine free of charge from all of its post offices.
- Česká Pošta (Czech Republic) offers free shipping of standard parcels up to 30 kg to Ukraine. Such items can be posted at any Česká Pošta post office.
- Free parcels with humanitarian aid can be sent to Ukraine at Pošta Slovenije (Slovenia) offices.
- In addition, parcels to Ukraine can be posted free of charge at Cyprus Post, Magyar Posta (Hungary), Guernsey Post, Jersey Post, HayPost (Armenia), and Royal Gibraltar Post.
The list of countries from which postal items to Ukraine can be sent for free is available on Ukrposhta website.
Ukrposhta is currently receiving incoming post arriving from more than 40 countries, including the United Kingdom, Poland, Georgia, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Slovakia, Romania, Moldova, Belgium, Austria, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Norway, the Czech Republic, Greece, Kazakhstan, the United Arab Emirates and a number of other countries.
Ukrposhta says it “is grateful to all its partners for the comprehensive support of the Ukrainian people in such a difficult time.”
