Shipping is always a added charge. You won't know how much shipping
costs till you get the first parcel and see the actual shipping charge.
Sometimes part of the shipping cost is buried in the selling price.
Heretofore all my shipping is from the interior Kunming and all the
vendors charge actual shipping cost of about $12/kilo/SAL. In this
case this is a new vendor with shipping from Shanghai. Since it is a
major shipping port I think that is the reason the added cost of AIR
versus SAL is so cheap. Or maybe hidden shipping cost but anyway I'll
pay for the AIR. SAL or SURFACE from China is a function of catching
the slow boat from China if it is in port or possibly dry dock. I had
one SAL from Kunming in 20 days and one late as 40. You should be able
to get a quote for AIR. They take the parcel to China Post, check the
appropriate shipping method and pay the cost. When I discover I am
paying actual shipping cost then I have various single kilo parcels
spaced out over time in the pipeline.

Jim

oleg shteynbuk wrote:
> Jim,
>
> Thanks, I got quote from vendor that SAL is about 4 weeks to arrive and
> Surface is about 8 weeks to arrive to NY and and no mention of Air and
> if it is only $2 more I would take it.
>
> Oleg
>
>
> Space Cowboy wrote:
> > I wouldn't worry about the mix and match. Make sure the vendor puts in
> > packing material so the contents don't joust against each other.
> > Substitute paper bags for plastic. I go with SAL from China which is
> > 30 days to me in the US. I would also recommend no more than 2 kilo
> > per carton. A vendor last week recommended Air which would be 15-20
> > days. He is expecting 40 day with SAL because it is nearly Spring
> > festival in China. The cost of air v surface v sal is more or less
> > incremental. In fact this vendor was only asking for $2 more for Air.
> > My storage is cool,dry,dark. I have to stick my nose next to the
> > wrapper for aroma.
> >
> > Jim
> >
> > oleg shteynbuk wrote:
> >
> >>I am about to order puerh and shipping could take 4 or 8 weeks, and can
> >>get some savings on shipping by ordering several items. I would prefer
> >>to order different types that the vendor is offering, most likely even
> >>all types, not all brands