Returning a parcel back to the sender via Russian Post: procedure, reasons, important nuances

How to recall a parcel back from Russian Post:

1. Go to the Post Office and write an application.
2. Pay for postage.

Imagine that, having sent a letter or parcel by mail, you discovered some kind of error and the item must be returned. Because they sent:

• not what was required (we made a mistake during collection);
• in the wrong direction (they made a typo in the address);
• to the wrong person (the wrong addressee was indicated).

Or the recipient himself changed his mind about receiving - this also happens.

In this situation, the question arises whether it is possible to recall the parcel back at Russian Post and what needs to be done for this.

Is it possible to return a sent parcel or letter?

The postal item belongs to the citizen who sent it until the addressee picks it up at the post office. According to the rules for the provision of postal services, until this moment the owner has the right to write an application for return or forwarding, changing the address or full name of the recipient.

Delivery changes are permitted only for registered postal items (RPO), which include:

• parcels;
• registered and valuable letters;
• custom and valuable parcels;
• custom postcards;
• Express shipments EMS.

RPO has a track number to track movement between Russian Post points. It will help ensure that the RPO has not yet been served on the recipient. The track number is indicated on the receipt issued by the post office employee (OPS) along with the payment receipt.

If you are not sure whether it is possible to recall a letter from Russian Post, remember how it was sent - with or without an RPO number. Simple postcards and letters without a tracking number cannot be returned. Well, only if you are on duty at the recipient's mailbox.

When return shipping is not possible

The law prohibits the return of personal and custom-made goods. In this situation, the seller has the right not to return the money paid. And in the event of a trial, the law will be on his side.

In some situations, if post office employees suspect that the parcel contains prohibited goods, they have the right to open it. Accordingly, if this fact is confirmed, the goods cannot be sent back, just as they cannot be received by the addressee.

What needs to be done for this

Let's figure out how to recall a parcel back from Russian Post, having in hand a postal receipt with a track number:

1. Contact the communications department of any operator.
2. Show your passport.
3. Write an application on the form provided by the operator or in free form.
4. Attach the postal receipt and payment receipt (or copies thereof).

The same method is used to solve the problem of how to revoke a registered letter from Russian Post: take the track number, payment receipt and go with your passport to the Russian Post office.

You must have a receipt with a tracking number. Without it, the probability of canceling the RPO delivery is close to zero.

But you can try! Ask the OPS operator to restore the track number; if you know the exact date and time of departure, the employee may be able to accommodate you, although this is not his responsibility.

We managed to find out several interesting points that determine whether the sender can actually recall a parcel from Russian Post:

1. It is better to submit your application at the same office where you sent it.
2. The sooner you contact, the greater the chances of success.
3. In the application in free form, indicate the date of dispatch, RPO number, type of shipment (parcel, parcel post, registered letter, etc.), destination address (to which it was sent) and address for return or forwarding.
4. If the item is already at the destination office or being sorted in the same locality, try contacting the recipient and ask not to pick up the mail. In this case, the RPO will automatically be sent to you after 30 days of storage (this rule applies to unclaimed items). Sometimes this happens faster than the sender stated.
5. The addressee has the right to write a statement that he intentionally refuses to receive the delivered postal cargo. Then the parcel will be sent back as unclaimed.

In what situation is a refund made?

It happens that after purchasing an item in an online store, the buyer may change his mind. If the goods were sent to him by mail, then he has to return the parcel back to the seller. It often happens that for some reason a person needs to return a sent parcel, for example, when he needs to pay for expensive customs fees.

In a situation where the consumer decides to return the parcel to the sender before receiving it, he will have to write a written refusal to receive the goods. Then the parcel will be returned to the seller, but it is necessary to discuss compensation for the return with the seller, because the postal delivery service does not deal with such problems, it only provides services for forwarding or sending items.

It will not be possible to refuse the parcel if the recipient comes to his post office and opens it. Accordingly, it will not be possible to return the product either. There are only a couple of exceptions - for example, the box in which the package arrived turned out to be torn or opened by someone other than the recipient.

Information

At the same time, it is necessary to remember: it is impossible to refuse a product without reason, simply citing damaged packaging. It is required to provide evidence that the parcel was actually opened by a third party or that the goods received do not correspond to those confirmed in the order.

When an autopsy is carried out by the postal delivery service, a report must be drawn up. This is official paper and can be provided to the sender to reimburse the funds spent.

Warning

Keep in mind: postal workers have the right to unpack and inspect the package in the presence of law enforcement officers if they suspect the transportation of unauthorized items or substances.

Carefully examine the websites of online stores where you make purchases: they usually contain sections that contain information about returning orders. Carefully study the terms and conditions for returning goods. Often, misunderstandings and misunderstandings arise due to customers’ ignorance of store rules, so it is important to be prepared for such situations so as not to bring the matter to court.

Some stores allow you to return items within a certain period without any reason . Typically this period is approximately two weeks, sometimes even 30 days.

Helpful advice

Don’t forget: if you make a return by Russian Post, you need to understand that all purchased products are returned only as a complete set and in the original (factory) packaging. If these requirements are not met, the seller has the right to refuse to return the goods to you.

After the conditions for returning the purchase have been discussed with the sending store, you need to come to the post office and send the item back. You will have to pay for this procedure out of your own pocket - the post office only provides a delivery service.

Information

There is a so-called tracking function. Its essence is that you are given a track number with which you can track all the movements of your parcel. Make sure this service is enabled by default. Otherwise you need to order it.

How much will it cost

Return or forwarding of RPO is an additional postal service. It is carried out at the expense of the sender, even if the shipment is returned as unclaimed.

Separate tariffs are set for each region. The sender will be required to pay a fee to the OPS for receiving and processing an application for return or issuing unclaimed correspondence if it was returned automatically, for return shipping or forwarding of the RPO, as well as for storing the returned item. The cost of the service package is calculated according to the tariffs in force on the day the parcel leaves for the return or changed address.

Concept: features and risks

Cash on delivery is a remote method of purchasing goods (via the Internet), in which the buyer pays for it only after receiving it at the post office/delivery by courier. In this situation, the main risks fall on the shoulders of the seller, since by sending the goods he is actually left without paying for it. The disadvantages of selling goods in this way for the seller include:

• The need to visit the post office twice: first the seller needs to send the goods, and later, when the buyer receives and pays for it, receive money for it at the post office;
• Delay in receipt of profit. By sending goods by cash on delivery, the seller is deprived of the opportunity to earn money simultaneously with the sale of goods, which is why the turnover of funds slows down;
• The risk of refusing to purchase a product. After examining the product, the buyer may change his mind about buying it. In this case, the seller will be forced to pay for double delivery and storage of the goods at the post office;

If the buyer himself wants to return the money for the goods received and paid for by cash on delivery, this will result in double expenses for him:

• He will have to pay for the goods to be sent to him and back to the seller;
• The buyer will also have to pay for the refund from the seller;

It will be extremely difficult to return the parcel, and especially the money for it, since during its delivery the seller’s financial situation may seriously change.

Commercial delivery services

The difficulties described above relate to the question of whether the seller can recall a parcel from Russian Post. Fortunately, this is not the only delivery service today.

We asked if it was possible to recall the SDEK parcel, and received an explanation.

To cancel SDEK delivery:

1. Contact the chat on the website.
2. State the shipment number, full name and phone number of the sender.
3. Ask to indicate the status of the return.

Further details are agreed individually with the sender.

About the author of the article

Sofia Maletskaya Analyst, translator, entrepreneur. A mother of three children, in her free time from her family she writes articles for specialized websites.

Normative base

According to Russian legislation, purchases in online stores are regulated by the following regulations:

• Federal Law “On Protection of Consumer Rights”.
• Rules for the provision of postal services.
• Civil Code.

In accordance with Article 26-1 of the Federal Law “On the Protection of Consumer Rights”, the buyer has the right to refuse the parcel upon receipt or after 7 days. In some cases, the client retains the right to return purchased goods for up to 3 months (if the return conditions have not been agreed upon in advance).

Procedure in a situation where the wrong item arrived in a parcel with cash on delivery

Remote purchases of many things on the Internet are always accompanied by great risk. Situations often arise when the wrong item is sent in the parcel, cash on delivery. The buyer should properly refuse the transaction and return it to the seller if such a problem occurs.

If the parcel is damaged

If the shipment was damaged during shipment (and, accordingly, its contents), you can count on compensation.

Important!

If you have doubts about the safety of the parcel and you suspect that the contents may be damaged (or missing, which you can determine by weight), request that the parcel be opened in front of you by a Russian Post employee. In the presence of the head of the department, the contents must be checked against the inventory. This is a guarantee that you will prove that you are not responsible for the damage or incompleteness of the parcel. Upon opening, a special report is drawn up (make sure this is done).

How not to lose money

Before ordering a product from an online store, you should carefully study their website. Complete information about them must be provided, not only the street and house where their office is located, but also instructions on how to get there. Fraudsters usually do not provide their full address. As well as TIN and OGRN, which can be checked on the website of the Federal Tax Service.

Several payment methods for goods must be specified. If you are asked to transfer money only to a bank card, this is a red flag. It is also worth reading reviews about the store to get an idea about it.

Summing up the results of working with Russian Post

Analyzing the regulations governing the issue of how to return a parcel by Russian Post, the following conclusions can be drawn.

The parcel is returned to the sender in the following cases:

• if there is a statement from the sender;
• if the recipient refused to receive the parcel;
• when there is no recipient at a certain address;
• The destination data cannot be read.

In addition, the recipient of the parcel may refuse to receive the parcel. To do this, he notes information about the refusal in the postal notice. In situations where the recipient does not want to provide the necessary information, a postal worker writes a note.

The recipient pays for postal services, and then demands a refund from the seller or sender.