On Fri, 25 Jan 2013 14:29:09 -0800, John Larkin
wrote:

On Fri, 25 Jan 2013 13:55:49 -0800, DaveC wrote:

I'm looking to purchase some replacement modules from Hong Kong for a plasma
TV. The warranty is good (90 days) but -- as you'd expect -- I'm responsible
for return shipping.*

Shipping from the U.S. to Hong Kong (well, USPS doesn't differentiate -- they
have flat rate to all overseas destinations) is US$38, more than half the
original price I'll be paying for the items.*

Shipping for the Chinese is, I presume, subsidized by their postal service,
which is why shipping charges are always included ("free!") in the price.

These modules are available domestically -- but at higher price and no
warranty. Hence the attraction to Chinese units available on e-Pain.

Is there a cheaper rate for getting a 2 pound envelope to China I've not
heard about?

Thanks,
Dave

The Chinese stuff that I get is usually shipped "via US Postal
Service" for a few dollars. It looks to me like the USPS is
subsidizing Chinese shippers and soaking us, by about a 10:1 ratio.

I seem to recall from my stamp collecting days that postage for
international mail is collected only at the point of origin and is
handled thereafter without additional postage fees (altough customs
and handling fees may be necessary for parcels at the port of entry).
Once upon a time, international postage required the originator to
attach stamps for every country that the item would cross in transit.
Some time ago (mid 19th century?) this was deemed too clumsy and
therafter only the originating country collected the postage fee.