Mike Petro wrote:
> Space Cowboy wrote:
> > Here are some of mine from Kunming: 3168g/265y,
> > 2417g/206y, 1778g/163y, 1607g/123y, 1500g/112y, 1100g/95y.
>
> The differences you see in your various shipments got me to wondering,
> and I remembered another curious fact about China Post. They force you
> to use their packing materials, boxes strapping etc, and they often
> pack it themselves. It could be that some of the differences in your
> total price had something to do with the packing material prices. I
> will enquire about this aspect as it is one that I don't know much
> about other than it exists.

Ok, I talked to a vendor in China who ships to the USA regularly and
they confirmed that China Post does indeed charge for boxes etc, thus
the total on your BOL could be different on 2 shipments even if the
total weight was the same based on which packing materials were used
etc. They also confirmed my contention that the 1st kg is indeed more
expensive than subsequent kgs on all three shipping methods. They also
confirmed that you can enter into a "contract" with China Post where
you would get reduced rates based on shipping volume.

One interesting note is that they said the rates posted by China Post
on the CP website are wrong more often than not. This is because China
Post will run "specials" or "sales", at various times of the year,
where the posted rates are discounted. It was not clear if this was
regionally autonomous or nation wide. In any event the posted rates
would be a worst case scenario barring any contract, discount, or sale.

I forgot to ask for confirmation about the California vs Maine question
but I am just as sure about that as I was about the 1st kg issue.

Mike
www.pu-erh.net