Lower costs and greater predictability: what Ukrposhta’s decision changes
10 February 16:26
Ukrposhta has changed its international delivery rules: from now on, parcels that have not been received by the recipient abroad will be returned free of charge. Previously , such return delivery could cost senders $30–100 , depending on the country and weight of the shipment.
The company announced this on its official website, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
What exactly has changed
The new rules apply to all international parcels that:
- the recipient did not pick up at the post office;
- the recipient has refused to accept;
- delivery did not take place for reasons beyond the sender’s control.
In such cases, the shipment will either eventually find the recipient or be returned to Ukraine at no additional cost to the customer.
What happened before
Before the changes, reverse international logistics remained one of the biggest financial risks for senders:
- the average cost of a return was $30–100;
- the amount depended on the weight of the parcel and the country of destination;
- in case of refusal or non-receipt, the customer actually paid twice.
This was particularly painful for small businesses and online sellers working with foreign orders.
Why was this decision made?
Ukrposhta explains that the decision was made thanks to coordinated work with international partners within the Universal Postal Union.
This allowed them to review their approach to reverse logistics and move to a more customer-oriented model for Ukrainian senders.
Who is most affected
The decision affects all customers who send parcels abroad, but primarily:
- small and medium-sized businesses;
- marketplace sellers;
- entrepreneurs who export small batches of goods;
- individuals who regularly send parcels outside Ukraine.
For them, this means less financial uncertainty and reduced risks when working with foreign customers.
Company position
Igor Smelyansky, CEO of Ukrposhta, emphasized that the company seeks to support Ukrainian businesses during the war:
“Ukrainian businesses are having a tough time right now: fuel costs for generators and heating are going up, and competition on the global market is growing. That’s why we want to make sure Ukrainian exports keep growing.”
Ukrposhta delivers shipments to more than 230 countries and territories around the world and works in partnership with a network of national postal operators covering more than 660,000 branches.
In recent months, the company has also:
- expanded its “Small PRIME Package” service to 24 more countries;
- reduced PRIME rates for shipments to the United States;
- began the gradual introduction of its updated brand.
