diff --git a/contrib/epee/include/serialization/keyvalue_serialization.h b/contrib/epee/include/serialization/keyvalue_serialization.h
index d4413a71b..5791e1998 100644
--- a/contrib/epee/include/serialization/keyvalue_serialization.h
+++ b/contrib/epee/include/serialization/keyvalue_serialization.h
@@ -31,7 +31,6 @@
 #include "misc_log_ex.h"
 #include "enableable.h"
 #include "keyvalue_serialization_overloads.h"
-#include "serialization/serialization.h"
 
 namespace epee
 {
diff --git a/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_basic.h b/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_basic.h
index 821c21d84..c81901f4e 100644
--- a/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_basic.h
+++ b/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_basic.h
@@ -36,7 +36,6 @@
 #include <cstring>  // memcmp
 #include <sstream>
 #include <atomic>
-#include "serialization/serialization.h"
 #include "serialization/variant.h"
 #include "serialization/vector.h"
 #include "serialization/binary_archive.h"
diff --git a/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_basic_impl.cpp b/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_basic_impl.cpp
index 1183fda06..929be0d5a 100644
--- a/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_basic_impl.cpp
+++ b/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_basic_impl.cpp
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@ using namespace epee;
 #include "cryptonote_basic_impl.h"
 #include "string_tools.h"
 #include "serialization/binary_utils.h"
-#include "serialization/vector.h"
+#include "serialization/container.h"
 #include "cryptonote_format_utils.h"
 #include "cryptonote_config.h"
 #include "misc_language.h"
diff --git a/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_format_utils.cpp b/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_format_utils.cpp
index 21fa63842..5f6dc3bd6 100644
--- a/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_format_utils.cpp
+++ b/src/cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_format_utils.cpp
@@ -35,6 +35,7 @@ using namespace epee;
 #include <boost/algorithm/string.hpp>
 #include "wipeable_string.h"
 #include "string_tools.h"
+#include "serialization/string.h"
 #include "cryptonote_format_utils.h"
 #include "cryptonote_config.h"
 #include "crypto/crypto.h"
diff --git a/src/ringct/rctTypes.h b/src/ringct/rctTypes.h
index 5ea2dcc7c..2df797360 100644
--- a/src/ringct/rctTypes.h
+++ b/src/ringct/rctTypes.h
@@ -47,7 +47,7 @@ extern "C" {
 
 #include "hex.h"
 #include "span.h"
-#include "serialization/serialization.h"
+#include "serialization/vector.h"
 #include "serialization/debug_archive.h"
 #include "serialization/binary_archive.h"
 #include "serialization/json_archive.h"
diff --git a/src/serialization/container.h b/src/serialization/container.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..978a59d2a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/serialization/container.h
@@ -0,0 +1,113 @@
+// Copyright (c) 2014-2017, The Monero Project
+// 
+// All rights reserved.
+// 
+// Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are
+// permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
+// 
+// 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this list of
+//    conditions and the following disclaimer.
+// 
+// 2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list
+//    of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or other
+//    materials provided with the distribution.
+// 
+// 3. Neither the name of the copyright holder nor the names of its contributors may be
+//    used to endorse or promote products derived from this software without specific
+//    prior written permission.
+// 
+// THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS" AND ANY
+// EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
+// MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL
+// THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
+// SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
+// PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS
+// INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT,
+// STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF
+// THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+// 
+// Parts of this file are originally copyright (c) 2012-2013 The Cryptonote developers
+
+#pragma once
+
+#include "serialization.h"
+
+namespace serialization
+{
+  namespace detail
+  {
+    template <typename Archive, class T>
+    bool serialize_container_element(Archive& ar, T& e)
+    {
+      return ::do_serialize(ar, e);
+    }
+
+    template <typename Archive>
+    bool serialize_container_element(Archive& ar, uint32_t& e)
+    {
+      ar.serialize_varint(e);
+      return true;
+    }
+
+    template <typename Archive>
+    bool serialize_container_element(Archive& ar, uint64_t& e)
+    {
+      ar.serialize_varint(e);
+      return true;
+    }
+
+    template <typename C>
+    void do_reserve(C &c, size_t N) {}
+  }
+}
+
+template <template <bool> class Archive, typename C>
+bool do_serialize_container(Archive<false> &ar, C &v)
+{
+  size_t cnt;
+  ar.begin_array(cnt);
+  if (!ar.stream().good())
+    return false;
+  v.clear();
+
+  // very basic sanity check
+  if (ar.remaining_bytes() < cnt) {
+    ar.stream().setstate(std::ios::failbit);
+    return false;
+  }
+
+  ::serialization::detail::do_reserve(v, cnt);
+
+  for (size_t i = 0; i < cnt; i++) {
+    if (i > 0)
+      ar.delimit_array();
+    typename C::value_type e;
+    if (!::serialization::detail::serialize_container_element(ar, e))
+      return false;
+    ::serialization::detail::do_add(v, std::move(e));
+    if (!ar.stream().good())
+      return false;
+  }
+  ar.end_array();
+  return true;
+}
+
+template <template <bool> class Archive, typename C>
+bool do_serialize_container(Archive<true> &ar, C &v)
+{
+  size_t cnt = v.size();
+  ar.begin_array(cnt);
+  for (auto i = v.begin(); i != v.end(); ++i)
+  {
+    if (!ar.stream().good())
+      return false;
+    if (i != v.begin())
+      ar.delimit_array();
+    if(!::serialization::detail::serialize_container_element(ar, const_cast<typename C::value_type&>(*i)))
+      return false;
+    if (!ar.stream().good())
+      return false;
+  }
+  ar.end_array();
+  return true;
+}
diff --git a/src/serialization/deque.h b/src/serialization/deque.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..994d3f195
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/serialization/deque.h
@@ -0,0 +1,64 @@
+// Copyright (c) 2014-2017, The Monero Project
+// 
+// All rights reserved.
+// 
+// Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are
+// permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
+// 
+// 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this list of
+//    conditions and the following disclaimer.
+// 
+// 2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list
+//    of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or other
+//    materials provided with the distribution.
+// 
+// 3. Neither the name of the copyright holder nor the names of its contributors may be
+//    used to endorse or promote products derived from this software without specific
+//    prior written permission.
+// 
+// THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS" AND ANY
+// EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
+// MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL
+// THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
+// SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
+// PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS
+// INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT,
+// STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF
+// THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+// 
+// Parts of this file are originally copyright (c) 2012-2013 The Cryptonote developers
+
+#pragma once
+
+#include <deque>
+
+template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
+bool do_serialize(Archive<false> &ar, std::deque<T> &v);
+template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
+bool do_serialize(Archive<true> &ar, std::deque<T> &v);
+
+namespace serialization
+{
+  namespace detail
+  {
+    template <typename T>
+    void do_reserve(std::deque<T> &c, size_t N)
+    {
+      c.reserve(N);
+    }
+
+    template <typename T>
+    void do_add(std::deque<T> &c, T &&e)
+    {
+      c.emplace_back(std::move(e));
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+#include "serialization.h"
+
+template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
+bool do_serialize(Archive<false> &ar, std::deque<T> &v) { return do_serialize_container(ar, v); }
+template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
+bool do_serialize(Archive<true> &ar, std::deque<T> &v) { return do_serialize_container(ar, v); }
+
diff --git a/src/serialization/list.h b/src/serialization/list.h
index d0fb72163..d725458e7 100644
--- a/src/serialization/list.h
+++ b/src/serialization/list.h
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// Copyright (c) 2014-2015, The Monero Project
+// Copyright (c) 2014-2017, The Monero Project
 // 
 // All rights reserved.
 // 
@@ -30,71 +30,29 @@
 
 #pragma once
 
-#include "serialization.h"
+#include <list>
+
+template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
+bool do_serialize(Archive<false> &ar, std::list<T> &v);
+template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
+bool do_serialize(Archive<true> &ar, std::list<T> &v);
 
 namespace serialization
 {
   namespace detail
   {
-    template <typename Archive, class T>
-    bool serialize_list_element(Archive& ar, T& e)
+    template <typename T>
+    void do_add(std::list<T> &c, T &&e)
     {
-      return ::do_serialize(ar, e);
-    }
-
-    template <typename Archive>
-    bool serialize_list_element(Archive& ar, uint64_t& e)
-    {
-      ar.serialize_varint(e);
-      return true;
+      c.emplace_back(std::move(e));
     }
   }
 }
 
-template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
-bool do_serialize(Archive<false> &ar, std::list<T> &l)
-{
-  size_t cnt;
-  ar.begin_array(cnt);
-  if (!ar.stream().good())
-    return false;
-  l.clear();
-
-  // very basic sanity check
-  if (ar.remaining_bytes() < cnt) {
-    ar.stream().setstate(std::ios::failbit);
-    return false;
-  }
-
-  for (size_t i = 0; i < cnt; i++) {
-    if (i > 0)
-      ar.delimit_array();
-    l.push_back(T());
-    T &t = l.back();
-    if (!::serialization::detail::serialize_list_element(ar, t))
-      return false;
-    if (!ar.stream().good())
-      return false;
-  }
-  ar.end_array();
-  return true;
-}
+#include "serialization.h"
 
 template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
-bool do_serialize(Archive<true> &ar, std::list<T> &l)
-{
-  size_t cnt = l.size();
-  ar.begin_array(cnt);
-  for (typename std::list<T>::iterator i = l.begin(); i != l.end(); ++i) {
-    if (!ar.stream().good())
-      return false;
-    if (i != l.begin())
-      ar.delimit_array();
-    if(!::serialization::detail::serialize_list_element(ar, *i))
-      return false;
-    if (!ar.stream().good())
-      return false;
-  }
-  ar.end_array();
-  return true;
-}
+bool do_serialize(Archive<false> &ar, std::list<T> &v) { return do_serialize_container(ar, v); }
+template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
+bool do_serialize(Archive<true> &ar, std::list<T> &v) { return do_serialize_container(ar, v); }
+
diff --git a/src/serialization/serialization.h b/src/serialization/serialization.h
index 9e23f0791..56496c790 100644
--- a/src/serialization/serialization.h
+++ b/src/serialization/serialization.h
@@ -63,15 +63,17 @@ struct is_blob_type { typedef boost::false_type type; };
 template <class T>
 struct has_free_serializer { typedef boost::true_type type; };
 
-/*! \struct is_pair_type 
+/*! \struct is_basic_type
  *
  * \brief a descriptor for dispatching serialize
  */
 template <class T>
-struct is_pair_type { typedef boost::false_type type; };
+struct is_basic_type { typedef boost::false_type type; };
 
 template<typename F, typename S>
-struct is_pair_type<std::pair<F,S>> { typedef boost::true_type type; };
+struct is_basic_type<std::pair<F,S>> { typedef boost::true_type type; };
+template<>
+struct is_basic_type<std::string> { typedef boost::true_type type; };
 
 /*! \struct serializer
  *
@@ -89,7 +91,7 @@ struct is_pair_type<std::pair<F,S>> { typedef boost::true_type type; };
 template <class Archive, class T>
 struct serializer{
   static bool serialize(Archive &ar, T &v) {
-    return serialize(ar, v, typename boost::is_integral<T>::type(), typename is_blob_type<T>::type(), typename is_pair_type<T>::type());
+    return serialize(ar, v, typename boost::is_integral<T>::type(), typename is_blob_type<T>::type(), typename is_basic_type<T>::type());
   }
   template<typename A>
   static bool serialize(Archive &ar, T &v, boost::false_type, boost::true_type, A a) {
@@ -361,9 +363,3 @@ namespace serialization {
     return r && check_stream_state(ar);
   }
 }
-
-#include "string.h"
-#include "vector.h"
-#include "list.h"
-#include "pair.h"
-#include "set.h"
diff --git a/src/serialization/set.h b/src/serialization/set.h
index 54b4eb3ab..e6eff62a9 100644
--- a/src/serialization/set.h
+++ b/src/serialization/set.h
@@ -30,98 +30,29 @@
 
 #pragma once
 
-#include "serialization.h"
+#include <set>
 
 template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
 bool do_serialize(Archive<false> &ar, std::set<T> &v);
 template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
 bool do_serialize(Archive<true> &ar, std::set<T> &v);
-template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
-bool do_serialize(Archive<false> &ar, std::unordered_set<T> &v);
-template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
-bool do_serialize(Archive<true> &ar, std::unordered_set<T> &v);
 
 namespace serialization
 {
   namespace detail
   {
-    template <typename Archive, class T>
-    bool serialize_set_element(Archive& ar, T& e)
+    template <typename T>
+    void do_add(std::set<T> &c, T &&e)
     {
-      return ::do_serialize(ar, e);
-    }
-
-    template <typename Archive>
-    bool serialize_set_element(Archive& ar, uint32_t& e)
-    {
-      ar.serialize_varint(e);
-      return true;
-    }
-
-    template <typename Archive>
-    bool serialize_set_element(Archive& ar, uint64_t& e)
-    {
-      ar.serialize_varint(e);
-      return true;
+      c.insert(std::move(e));
     }
   }
 }
 
-template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
-bool do_serialize_set(Archive<false> &ar, T &v)
-{
-  size_t cnt;
-  ar.begin_array(cnt);
-  if (!ar.stream().good())
-    return false;
-  v.clear();
-
-  // very basic sanity check
-  if (ar.remaining_bytes() < cnt) {
-    ar.stream().setstate(std::ios::failbit);
-    return false;
-  }
-
-  for (size_t i = 0; i < cnt; i++) {
-    if (i > 0)
-      ar.delimit_array();
-    typename T::key_type k;
-    if (!::serialization::detail::serialize_set_element(ar, k))
-      return false;
-    v.insert(std::move(k));
-    if (!ar.stream().good())
-      return false;
-  }
-  ar.end_array();
-  return true;
-}
+#include "serialization.h"
 
 template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
-bool do_serialize_set(Archive<true> &ar, T &v)
-{
-  size_t cnt = v.size();
-  ar.begin_array(cnt);
-  bool first = true;
-  for (const typename T::key_type &k: v) {
-    if (!ar.stream().good())
-      return false;
-    if (!first)
-      ar.delimit_array();
-    if(!::serialization::detail::serialize_set_element(ar, const_cast<typename T::key_type&>(k)))
-      return false;
-    if (!ar.stream().good())
-      return false;
-    first = false;
-  }
-  ar.end_array();
-  return true;
-}
+bool do_serialize(Archive<false> &ar, std::set<T> &v) { return do_serialize_container(ar, v); }
+template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
+bool do_serialize(Archive<true> &ar, std::set<T> &v) { return do_serialize_container(ar, v); }
 
-template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
-bool do_serialize(Archive<false> &ar, std::set<T> &v) { return do_serialize_set(ar, v); }
-template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
-bool do_serialize(Archive<true> &ar, std::set<T> &v) { return do_serialize_set(ar, v); }
-template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
-bool do_serialize(Archive<false> &ar, std::unordered_set<T> &v) { return do_serialize_set(ar, v); }
-template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
-bool do_serialize(Archive<true> &ar, std::unordered_set<T> &v) { return do_serialize_set(ar, v); }
diff --git a/src/serialization/unordered_set.h b/src/serialization/unordered_set.h
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b277f0c4a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/serialization/unordered_set.h
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+// Copyright (c) 2014-2017, The Monero Project
+// 
+// All rights reserved.
+// 
+// Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are
+// permitted provided that the following conditions are met:
+// 
+// 1. Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this list of
+//    conditions and the following disclaimer.
+// 
+// 2. Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list
+//    of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or other
+//    materials provided with the distribution.
+// 
+// 3. Neither the name of the copyright holder nor the names of its contributors may be
+//    used to endorse or promote products derived from this software without specific
+//    prior written permission.
+// 
+// THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY THE COPYRIGHT HOLDERS AND CONTRIBUTORS "AS IS" AND ANY
+// EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
+// MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL
+// THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL,
+// SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
+// PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS
+// INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT,
+// STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF
+// THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE.
+// 
+// Parts of this file are originally copyright (c) 2012-2013 The Cryptonote developers
+
+#pragma once
+
+#include <set>
+
+template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
+bool do_serialize(Archive<false> &ar, std::unordered_set<T> &v);
+template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
+bool do_serialize(Archive<true> &ar, std::unordered_set<T> &v);
+
+namespace serialization
+{
+  namespace detail
+  {
+    template <typename T>
+    void do_add(std::unordered_set<T> &c, T &&e)
+    {
+      c.insert(std::move(e));
+    }
+  }
+}
+
+#include "serialization.h"
+
+template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
+bool do_serialize(Archive<false> &ar, std::unordered_set<T> &v) { return do_serialize_container(ar, v); }
+template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
+bool do_serialize(Archive<true> &ar, std::unordered_set<T> &v) { return do_serialize_container(ar, v); }
+
diff --git a/src/serialization/vector.h b/src/serialization/vector.h
index 12fd59558..9cf3d8272 100644
--- a/src/serialization/vector.h
+++ b/src/serialization/vector.h
@@ -30,6 +30,7 @@
 
 #pragma once
 
+#include <vector>
 #include "serialization.h"
 
 template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
@@ -37,91 +38,28 @@ bool do_serialize(Archive<false> &ar, std::vector<T> &v);
 template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
 bool do_serialize(Archive<true> &ar, std::vector<T> &v);
 
-template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
-bool do_serialize(Archive<false> &ar, std::deque<T> &v);
-template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
-bool do_serialize(Archive<true> &ar, std::deque<T> &v);
-
 namespace serialization
 {
   namespace detail
   {
-    template <typename Archive, class T>
-    bool serialize_vector_element(Archive& ar, T& e)
+    template <typename T>
+    void do_reserve(std::vector<T> &c, size_t N)
     {
-      return ::do_serialize(ar, e);
+      c.reserve(N);
     }
 
-    template <typename Archive>
-    bool serialize_vector_element(Archive& ar, uint32_t& e)
+    template <typename T>
+    void do_add(std::vector<T> &c, T &&e)
     {
-      ar.serialize_varint(e);
-      return true;
-    }
-
-    template <typename Archive>
-    bool serialize_vector_element(Archive& ar, uint64_t& e)
-    {
-      ar.serialize_varint(e);
-      return true;
+      c.emplace_back(std::move(e));
     }
   }
 }
 
-template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
-bool do_serialize_vd(Archive<false> &ar, T &v)
-{
-  size_t cnt;
-  ar.begin_array(cnt);
-  if (!ar.stream().good())
-    return false;
-  v.clear();
-
-  // very basic sanity check
-  if (ar.remaining_bytes() < cnt) {
-    ar.stream().setstate(std::ios::failbit);
-    return false;
-  }
-
-  v.reserve(cnt);
-  for (size_t i = 0; i < cnt; i++) {
-    if (i > 0)
-      ar.delimit_array();
-    v.resize(i+1);
-    if (!::serialization::detail::serialize_vector_element(ar, v[i]))
-      return false;
-    if (!ar.stream().good())
-      return false;
-  }
-  ar.end_array();
-  return true;
-}
+#include "container.h"
 
 template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
-bool do_serialize_vd(Archive<true> &ar, T &v)
-{
-  size_t cnt = v.size();
-  ar.begin_array(cnt);
-  for (size_t i = 0; i < cnt; i++) {
-    if (!ar.stream().good())
-      return false;
-    if (i > 0)
-      ar.delimit_array();
-    if(!::serialization::detail::serialize_vector_element(ar, v[i]))
-      return false;
-    if (!ar.stream().good())
-      return false;
-  }
-  ar.end_array();
-  return true;
-}
+bool do_serialize(Archive<false> &ar, std::vector<T> &v) { return do_serialize_container(ar, v); }
+template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
+bool do_serialize(Archive<true> &ar, std::vector<T> &v) { return do_serialize_container(ar, v); }
 
-template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
-bool do_serialize(Archive<false> &ar, std::vector<T> &v) { return do_serialize_vd(ar, v); }
-template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
-bool do_serialize(Archive<true> &ar, std::vector<T> &v) { return do_serialize_vd(ar, v); }
-
-template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
-bool do_serialize(Archive<false> &ar, std::deque<T> &v) { return do_serialize_vd(ar, v); }
-template <template <bool> class Archive, class T>
-bool do_serialize(Archive<true> &ar, std::deque<T> &v) { return do_serialize_vd(ar, v); }
diff --git a/src/wallet/wallet2.cpp b/src/wallet/wallet2.cpp
index e4b5fdfd2..20e8ba53d 100644
--- a/src/wallet/wallet2.cpp
+++ b/src/wallet/wallet2.cpp
@@ -53,6 +53,7 @@ using namespace epee;
 #include "profile_tools.h"
 #include "crypto/crypto.h"
 #include "serialization/binary_utils.h"
+#include "serialization/string.h"
 #include "cryptonote_basic/blobdatatype.h"
 #include "mnemonics/electrum-words.h"
 #include "common/i18n.h"
diff --git a/tests/unit_tests/serialization.cpp b/tests/unit_tests/serialization.cpp
index 2ef1097da..8a75ac435 100644
--- a/tests/unit_tests/serialization.cpp
+++ b/tests/unit_tests/serialization.cpp
@@ -38,7 +38,6 @@
 #include "cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_basic.h"
 #include "cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_basic_impl.h"
 #include "ringct/rctSigs.h"
-#include "serialization/serialization.h"
 #include "serialization/binary_archive.h"
 #include "serialization/json_archive.h"
 #include "serialization/debug_archive.h"
diff --git a/tests/unit_tests/varint.cpp b/tests/unit_tests/varint.cpp
index 2b31cdfdf..577ad4d26 100644
--- a/tests/unit_tests/varint.cpp
+++ b/tests/unit_tests/varint.cpp
@@ -36,7 +36,6 @@
 #include <boost/foreach.hpp>
 #include "cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_basic.h"
 #include "cryptonote_basic/cryptonote_basic_impl.h"
-#include "serialization/serialization.h"
 #include "serialization/binary_archive.h"
 #include "serialization/json_archive.h"
 #include "serialization/debug_archive.h"