Starting this year, staff at the Russian Post will verify who is sending registered letters, parcels, and items that require identity checks. Representatives from the Russian postal service explained the change to DEA News, describing a new sender verification process tied to identity documents to strengthen accountability and traceability.
In addition to passports, the Postal Service notes that customers may also be verified using a driver’s license or a simple electronic signature. The organization clarified that postal workers will recognize customers by combining a straightforward electronic signature with a passport, driver’s license, or another valid form of identity. This approach adds flexibility for customers who may not have a passport handy yet still need secure mail handling.
The postal service explained that an electronic signature can be issued either on the official website or through the Russian Post mobile app, expanding options for customers to complete verification remotely before sending or receiving mail and parcels that require identification. Remote verification supports smoother processing for interstate and cross-border shipments, aligning with growing digital workflows in modern postal services.
The new verification rule is reported to apply to all types of registered mail, including parcels and items labeled as registered for tracking and security purposes. The measure is presented as standard practice in line with official guidance from the Ministry of Digital Development. The ministry has directed sender verification as part of a broader effort to improve security and traceability in mail delivery, signaling a clear shift toward stronger identity controls across the postal network.
Prior to implementing these steps, the Russian Post engaged in other logistical initiatives, including a direct air freight agreement with Minvod to Yerevan through Azimuth. This connection highlights the broader push toward streamlined international shipping channels and the secure handling of cross-border mail and parcels, especially in times of rising demand for reliable global logistics.
Earlier, Russian Post had already expanded direct air shipments to Georgia following the start of flights to Armenia, signaling a broader expansion of the service network and a commitment to faster, more reliable delivery for customers in the region. The evolving set of measures reflects a layered approach to security, verification, and operational efficiency in a growing postal landscape that serves both domestic and international clients.
For recipients and senders, these changes bring more robust identity checks at the point of service, with digital tools now playing a central role in ensuring the right person is associated with every piece of mail. Consumers can anticipate smoother remote verification through the mobile app or the website while continuing to rely on traditional documents when convenient. The combined use of an electronic signature and standard identifiers helps reduce the risk of impersonation, fraud, and mismatch deliveries, particularly for high-value items or sensitive correspondence. Industry observers note that these practices align with global trends toward stronger authentication in postal and courier networks, reinforcing trust in domestic and international mail flows. In practice, customers may prepare their electronic signature or generate it on the official platforms ahead of time, then present their document bundle at pickup or during the shipping process as needed. The result is a more transparent, accountable process that benefits customers, the postal system, and security agencies alike, without sacrificing convenience for everyday mailers. Citation: DEA News