Pu-erh storage and shipping
 

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 :) Puerh supposed to be kept in odor free
place and the question is will say black puerh affect green one and is
it a good idea to combine in one shipment different types of puerh –
green, black, loose, ready to drink and for aging; vendor said that he
can wrap them them separate in plastic, but puerh supposed to breathe so
wrapping in plastic is probably not a good idea, and if type of
shipping doesn't matter i will take the cheapest one that will be the
longest one.

Also to store puerh should each type has its dedicated place or I can
just put all of them on the shelf in a closet built in the wall of my
apartment, where I keep some clothes too. OTOH maybe I am just paranoid
as read that about eight or nine hundreds years ago puerh was used as a
currency and was carried around and probably kept in different
conditions but then there were no pollution and no need for organic
certifications.

Thanks for any suggestions,

Oleg

Pu-erh storage and shipping
 

hmm, never heard of storing food and clothes on the same shelf, but whatever
makes your monkey jump. I wouldn't worry all that much man. Pu has such
a.. er.. robust taste that it would take a lot to contaminate it. If your
clothes are all smelly though then that might do it.


"oleg shteynbuk" > wrote in message
...
> 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 :) Puerh supposed to be kept in odor free
> place and the question is will say black puerh affect green one and is
> it a good idea to combine in one shipment different types of puerh –
> green, black, loose, ready to drink and for aging; vendor said that he
> can wrap them them separate in plastic, but puerh supposed to breathe so
> wrapping in plastic is probably not a good idea, and if type of
> shipping doesn't matter i will take the cheapest one that will be the
> longest one.
>
> Also to store puerh should each type has its dedicated place or I can
> just put all of them on the shelf in a closet built in the wall of my
> apartment, where I keep some clothes too. OTOH maybe I am just paranoid
> as read that about eight or nine hundreds years ago puerh was used as a
> currency and was carried around and probably kept in different
> conditions but then there were no pollution and no need for organic
> certifications.
>
> Thanks for any suggestions,
>
> Oleg

Pu-erh storage and shipping
 

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 :) Puerh supposed to be kept in odor free
> place and the question is will say black puerh affect green one and is
> it a good idea to combine in one shipment different types of puerh -
> green, black, loose, ready to drink and for aging; vendor said that he
> can wrap them them separate in plastic, but puerh supposed to breathe so
> wrapping in plastic is probably not a good idea, and if type of
> shipping doesn't matter i will take the cheapest one that will be the
> longest one.
>
> Also to store puerh should each type has its dedicated place or I can
> just put all of them on the shelf in a closet built in the wall of my
> apartment, where I keep some clothes too. OTOH maybe I am just paranoid
> as read that about eight or nine hundreds years ago puerh was used as a
> currency and was carried around and probably kept in different
> conditions but then there were no pollution and no need for organic
> certifications.
>
> Thanks for any suggestions,
>
> Oleg

Pu-erh storage and shipping
 

Hi Oleg,

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 :) Puerh supposed to be kept in odor free
> place and the question is will say black puerh affect green one and is
> it a good idea to combine in one shipment different types of puerh -
> green, black, loose, ready to drink and for aging; vendor said that he
> can wrap them them separate in plastic, but puerh supposed to breathe so
> wrapping in plastic is probably not a good idea, and if type of
> shipping doesn't matter i will take the cheapest one that will be the
> longest one.

Mixing multiple types of puerh in one box for shipping is not a
problem.

Wrapping the puerh in plastic during shipping is not a problem either
as long as the tea is thoroughly dry. Allowing the tea to breath is an
aging requirement and the tea will not age enough during shipment to be
of any concern. I would however recommend leaving the bags open so
moisture is not trapped inside of the baggies as I have seen very fresh
and still somewhat moist bricks mold when shipping in a sealed plastic
bag. I have asked one of my vendors to use baggies in order to prevent
damage to the wrappers but I asked him to punch several holes in the
baggies first. In Hong Kong and Taiwan they often shrink wrap the cakes
using a perforated shrink wrap which still allows the tea to breath but
prevents damage to the delicate paper wrappers.

Shipping rates are dramatically cheaper when shipping by Surface versus
using other methods. Here are some examples based on a 3kg package via
China Post from Kunming to the USA..
AIR: $54.64
SAL: $33.25
SURFACE: $19.78
So Surface is 40% cheaper than SAL, and 64% cheaper than AIR.


> Also to store puerh should each type has its dedicated place or I can
> just put all of them on the shelf in a closet built in the wall of my
> apartment, where I keep some clothes too. OTOH maybe I am just paranoid
> as read that about eight or nine hundreds years ago puerh was used as a
> currency and was carried around and probably kept in different
> conditions but then there were no pollution and no need for organic
> certifications.

Keeping you long term stash in your closet is acceptable as long as
your cloths dont have any odor to them, like fabric softeners etc.
Contamination from strange odors is one of the largest problems
encountered when trying to age puerh in the average American Home. The
worst place to keep your stash is in your kitchen, which all too often
is where people tend keep their tea.

I strongly suspect that the tea they chopped up and used as currency a
couple thousand years ago is not the connoisseur grade tea that we
strive for today.

Mike
www.pu-erh.net
(recently upgraded)

Pu-erh storage and shipping
 

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 :) Puerh supposed to be kept in odor free
>>place and the question is will say black puerh affect green one and is
>>it a good idea to combine in one shipment different types of puerh -
>>green, black, loose, ready to drink and for aging; vendor said that he
>>can wrap them them separate in plastic, but puerh supposed to breathe so
>>wrapping in plastic is probably not a good idea, and if type of
>>shipping doesn't matter i will take the cheapest one that will be the
>>longest one.
>>
>>Also to store puerh should each type has its dedicated place or I can
>>just put all of them on the shelf in a closet built in the wall of my
>>apartment, where I keep some clothes too. OTOH maybe I am just paranoid
>>as read that about eight or nine hundreds years ago puerh was used as a
>>currency and was carried around and probably kept in different
>>conditions but then there were no pollution and no need for organic
>>certifications.
>>
>>Thanks for any suggestions,
>>
>>Oleg
>
>

Pu-erh storage and shipping
 

Mike, thanks, I actually use www.pu-erh.net as my main pu-erh reference.

Detergents, fabric softeners, dry cleaners they all have some sort of
smell that you don't want in tea. Is it OK to keep puerh on the open
book shelf as long as there is no direct sunlight maybe in carton
package; or better to put into chest of drawers and each type of pu-erh
into separate drawer?

Oleg


Mike Petro wrote:
> Hi Oleg,
>
> 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 :) Puerh supposed to be kept in odor free
>>place and the question is will say black puerh affect green one and is
>>it a good idea to combine in one shipment different types of puerh -
>>green, black, loose, ready to drink and for aging; vendor said that he
>>can wrap them them separate in plastic, but puerh supposed to breathe so
>>wrapping in plastic is probably not a good idea, and if type of
>>shipping doesn't matter i will take the cheapest one that will be the
>>longest one.
>
>
> Mixing multiple types of puerh in one box for shipping is not a
> problem.
>
> Wrapping the puerh in plastic during shipping is not a problem either
> as long as the tea is thoroughly dry. Allowing the tea to breath is an
> aging requirement and the tea will not age enough during shipment to be
> of any concern. I would however recommend leaving the bags open so
> moisture is not trapped inside of the baggies as I have seen very fresh
> and still somewhat moist bricks mold when shipping in a sealed plastic
> bag. I have asked one of my vendors to use baggies in order to prevent
> damage to the wrappers but I asked him to punch several holes in the
> baggies first. In Hong Kong and Taiwan they often shrink wrap the cakes
> using a perforated shrink wrap which still allows the tea to breath but
> prevents damage to the delicate paper wrappers.
>
> Shipping rates are dramatically cheaper when shipping by Surface versus
> using other methods. Here are some examples based on a 3kg package via
> China Post from Kunming to the USA..
> AIR: $54.64
> SAL: $33.25
> SURFACE: $19.78
> So Surface is 40% cheaper than SAL, and 64% cheaper than AIR.
>
>
>
>>Also to store puerh should each type has its dedicated place or I can
>>just put all of them on the shelf in a closet built in the wall of my
>>apartment, where I keep some clothes too. OTOH maybe I am just paranoid
>>as read that about eight or nine hundreds years ago puerh was used as a
>>currency and was carried around and probably kept in different
>>conditions but then there were no pollution and no need for organic
>>certifications.
>
>
> Keeping you long term stash in your closet is acceptable as long as
> your cloths dont have any odor to them, like fabric softeners etc.
> Contamination from strange odors is one of the largest problems
> encountered when trying to age puerh in the average American Home. The
> worst place to keep your stash is in your kitchen, which all too often
> is where people tend keep their tea.
>
> I strongly suspect that the tea they chopped up and used as currency a
> couple thousand years ago is not the connoisseur grade tea that we
> strive for today.
>
> Mike
> www.pu-erh.net
> (recently upgraded)
>

Pu-erh storage and shipping
 

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 :)

Pu-erh storage and shipping
 

oleg shteynbuk wrote:
> Mike, thanks, I actually use www.pu-erh.net as my main pu-erh reference.
>
> Detergents, fabric softeners, dry cleaners they all have some sort of
> smell that you don't want in tea. Is it OK to keep puerh on the open
> book shelf as long as there is no direct sunlight maybe in carton
> package; or better to put into chest of drawers and each type of pu-erh
> into separate drawer?
>
> Oleg

An open bookshelf would be fine in a room wiothout strange odors. For
example no cigarette smoke, no pungent cooking fumes, so strong air
fresheners etc. Yes, do protect from sunlight.

I use a filing cabinet, an old (odor free) Foot Locker, some wooden
cabinets in my Den, etc. One friend of mine uses a wicker laundry
basket stuck in the corner of a spare bedroom. Really you dont have to
get very particular about it. Just avoid strong oders, sunlight, and
make sure it can get some air. Usually if the climate is comforatable
enough for humans it will be fine for Puerh.

Mike
www.pu-erh.net

Pu-erh storage and shipping
 

I was planning on getting around 3kg, but you mention that it is better
to keep under 2 kq; what is the main reason for this like in case the
package lost - not such a big damage, or condition of packaging? I can
make it into two packages.

Also shipping cost is probably based on the total package weight not on
the tea weight as it mention on the vendor website, how much could the
packaging take - probably no more than 25% so if i want to pay shipping
cost under 2 kg tea weight should be 1.5 and for under 3 kg maybe 2.25 kg ?

Thanks,

Oleg



Space Cowboy wrote:
> 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 :)
>
>

Pu-erh storage and shipping
 

On Wed, 04 Jan 2006 04:53:39 +0000, 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 :) Puerh supposed to be kept in odor free place and
> the question is will say black puerh affect green one and is it a good
> idea to combine in one shipment different types of puerh green, black,
> loose, ready to drink and for aging; vendor said that he can wrap them
> them separate in plastic, but puerh supposed to breathe so wrapping in
> plastic is probably not a good idea, and if type of shipping doesn't
> matter i will take the cheapest one that will be the longest one.
>
> Also to store puerh should each type has its dedicated place or I can just
> put all of them on the shelf in a closet built in the wall of my
> apartment, where I keep some clothes too. OTOH maybe I am just paranoid
> as read that about eight or nine hundreds years ago puerh was used as a
> currency and was carried around and probably kept in different conditions
> but then there were no pollution and no need for organic certifications.
>
> Thanks for any suggestions,
>
> Oleg

What I did is this:

I went to the local home improvement / gardening store and got some of
those red clay 14 inch stubby flower pots - the short ones, not the
regular ones - with the corresponding size dish underneath - except the
dish goes on top in my case. This was in the middle of the hot summer,
when they have lots of inventory there, but also what I did was I gave the
flower pots a good washing with some non-toxic health-food-store-type
dishwashing detergent - unscented, or very nearly close to it - and then
I set them out into the hot sun to dry thoroughly for a day or two. I also
inspected them closely before I bought them to make sure they weren't
moldy or smelled bad or left over from last year, etc...

Then, I went to the local fabric store, and picked out some nice patterns
in 100% cotton - 2 yards - the normal width works perfectly for the 14
inch flower pots. I washed the fabric in fragrance-free laundry detergent
and then line dried it.

Then I fold the fabric over in half, the long way - I bought 2 yards, I
make that effectively 1 yard now - I put the 14 inch pot in the middle,
bring the two cut ends and the one folded end together where they don't
quite reach, put the dish on top, and then fold the other two ends over to
cover up the dish.

I tried this just as an experiment, but the 14 inch stubby flower pot and
two yards of cloth seem to be made for one another. I figure that as long
as the flower pots are fresh inventory and haven't been sitting around and
molding, and if the cloth is 100% cotton, it's a winning combination. It's
a good size for beeng chas, and I put the tuo chas on the bottom. But
there are probably lots of ways to arrange the tea.

Overall, the cost was around $8 for the pot and dish, and the fabric that
depends on how nice you want it, but under $10 shouldn't be a problem on
that either. I'm happy with it. If you get nice fabric and keep it
folded neatly you can put it on your bookshelf or whatever and it doesn't
look all that bad.

Pu-erh storage and shipping
 

I have a place available near subwoofer that can fit the requirements;
hopefully low frequency will help aging :) Read some time ago about
experiments with different type of music on crop growing. Will report
results to the group in 20 years, if anything will be left, not sure if
I can just look at puerh and smell it for 20 years and not to chip away
some small pieces once in a several months to test the progress,
hopefully it is ok and will not ruin cakes ecosystem.

Thanks,

Oleg


Mike Petro wrote:
> oleg shteynbuk wrote:
>
>>Mike, thanks, I actually use www.pu-erh.net as my main pu-erh reference.
>>
>>Detergents, fabric softeners, dry cleaners they all have some sort of
>>smell that you don't want in tea. Is it OK to keep puerh on the open
>>book shelf as long as there is no direct sunlight maybe in carton
>>package; or better to put into chest of drawers and each type of pu-erh
>>into separate drawer?
>>
>>Oleg
>
>
> An open bookshelf would be fine in a room wiothout strange odors. For
> example no cigarette smoke, no pungent cooking fumes, so strong air
> fresheners etc. Yes, do protect from sunlight.
>
> I use a filing cabinet, an old (odor free) Foot Locker, some wooden
> cabinets in my Den, etc. One friend of mine uses a wicker laundry
> basket stuck in the corner of a spare bedroom. Really you dont have to
> get very particular about it. Just avoid strong oders, sunlight, and
> make sure it can get some air. Usually if the climate is comforatable
> enough for humans it will be fine for Puerh.
>
> Mike
> www.pu-erh.net
>

Pu-erh storage and shipping
 

A one kilo shipment seems to be the threshold where you are charged
actual shipping cost versus purchase price shipping adjustments. I
like spacing out a kilo shipment because it allows to me to catch up
with contents before the next one. I'd rather receive mutliple single
kilo shipments over time versus all at once. The other thing I like
about a kilo box it fits on my shelving. The box also becomes my
storage bin. It is a standard size used by various vendors. You pay
for the gross weight of the parcel. I think there would be less
additional packaging material total in smaller boxing than one big one
but I think the difference isn't enough to worry about. The total
surface area of multiple smaller versus larger would be the same. For
an approximation the tea weight will be 1kg and gross weight 1.2kg.
The packaging will take a beating and I think customs is more
interested in larger parcels than smaller. All my early larger 1kg+
parcels seemed to have been opened and riffed. I think eventually your
address is put in a customs database and subsequent shipments are
cleared in transit.

Jim

oleg shteynbuk wrote:
> I was planning on getting around 3kg, but you mention that it is better
> to keep under 2 kq; what is the main reason for this like in case the
> package lost - not such a big damage, or condition of packaging? I can
> make it into two packages.
>
> Also shipping cost is probably based on the total package weight not on
> the tea weight as it mention on the vendor website, how much could the
> packaging take - probably no more than 25% so if i want to pay shipping
> cost under 2 kg tea weight should be 1.5 and for under 3 kg maybe 2.25 kg ?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Oleg
>
>
>
> Space Cowboy wrote:
> > 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.
....I delete me and you...

Pu-erh storage and shipping
 

Always try to negotiate to pay ACTUAL shipping costs. Limiting
yourself to 1 kg packages is the MOST expensive way to ship if you are
paying actual China Post rates. The reason is that the FIRST kg is
more expensive than subsequent kgs. The following examples come
directly from China Post shipping tables:

to ship 5kg of tea

Surface:
1st kg - $12.27 each additional KG = $2.47
to Ship five 1kg packages would cost you $61.35
to Ship one 5kg package only costs $24.74
you save 60% by shipping only once!

SAL:
1st kg - $13.98 each additional KG = $6.43
to Ship five 1kg packages would cost you $69.90
to Ship one 5kg package costs $46.13
you save 34% by shipping only once!

Air:
1st kg - $20.28 each additional KG = $11.75
to Ship five 1kg packages would cost you $101.40
to Ship one 5kg package costs $78.16
you save 23% by shipping only once!


Having hosted several large co-op style purchases I have researched
shipping from China extensively. It all boils down to the bottom line
of $/kg based on the total weight of the shipment. The most cost
effective method is Surface shipping by a long shot, and the heavier
the box the less you pay per kg. The trade off is that you will
typically wait 45-75 days for your shipment.

If you are confident in your vendor, and confident in your choices I
would recommend placing the largest order possible by SURFACE
shipping.

If you are unsure of your choices, or your vendors, I would recommend
that you ask your vendor to send you 25g samples of each tea you are
interested in by Air Mail. China has cheap airmail rates for things
that will fit in a standard business envelope. Get a few different
samples this way in order to gain confidence in your vendor/tea. Then
place a larger order as above. If your vendor wont supply small
samples find another vendor, there are others who will.

Mike
http://www.pu-erh.net



>oleg shteynbuk wrote:
>> I was planning on getting around 3kg, but you mention that it is better
>> to keep under 2 kq; what is the main reason for this like in case the
>> package lost - not such a big damage, or condition of packaging? I can
>> make it into two packages.
Mike Petro
http://www.pu-erh.net

Pu-erh storage and shipping
 

There is no price break in China Post SAL kilo shipments from Kunming.
My shipments vary from 1-2.5kg. The heaviest 2.5kg/210y while the
lightest 1.2kg/110y with everything else proportional in between which
is 10 shipments so far. The various shipping weights are distributed
and not clustered. The number 1kg/100y from Kunming seems to be a good
estimate to where I live in the US. There may be some break but not
before 2.5kg. You need to look at the postage on your shipments. I
also don't expect the same rates from Shanghai which remains to be
seen. The actual shipping cost is a function of shipping distance,
location and connections. You don't know till you see the package.

Jim

Mike Petro wrote:
> Always try to negotiate to pay ACTUAL shipping costs. Limiting
> yourself to 1 kg packages is the MOST expensive way to ship if you are
> paying actual China Post rates. The reason is that the FIRST kg is
> more expensive than subsequent kgs. The following examples come
> directly from China Post shipping tables:
>
> to ship 5kg of tea
>
> Surface:
> 1st kg - $12.27 each additional KG = $2.47
> to Ship five 1kg packages would cost you $61.35
> to Ship one 5kg package only costs $24.74
> you save 60% by shipping only once!
>
> SAL:
> 1st kg - $13.98 each additional KG = $6.43
> to Ship five 1kg packages would cost you $69.90
> to Ship one 5kg package costs $46.13
> you save 34% by shipping only once!
>
> Air:
> 1st kg - $20.28 each additional KG = $11.75
> to Ship five 1kg packages would cost you $101.40
> to Ship one 5kg package costs $78.16
> you save 23% by shipping only once!

Pu-erh storage and shipping
 

On 7 Jan 2006 06:48:20 -0800, "Space Cowboy" >
wrote:

>There is no price break in China Post SAL kilo shipments from Kunming.
>My shipments vary from 1-2.5kg. The heaviest 2.5kg/210y while the
>lightest 1.2kg/110y with everything else proportional in between which
>is 10 shipments so far. The various shipping weights are distributed
>and not clustered. The number 1kg/100y from Kunming seems to be a good
>estimate to where I live in the US. There may be some break but not
>before 2.5kg. You need to look at the postage on your shipments. I
>also don't expect the same rates from Shanghai which remains to be
>seen. The actual shipping cost is a function of shipping distance,
>location and connections. You don't know till you see the package.
>
>Jim


Jim, with all due respect, you are mistaken!

I have personally received over 200kg of puerh directly from China in
2005, I spent over a thousand dollars on shipping alone last year, so
trust me when I say that I made it a point to know the ACTUAL shipping
rates.

The price break occurs at ">=1kg" gross weight, while the discount
percentage may be different, the breaking point is consistently at the
">=1kg" point across all three shipping methods.

Furthermore, it does NOT matter where you live in the USA, the price
is the same regardless if you are in California or Maine (not sure
about PR, AK, or HI). However I have seen small differences due to
surcharges based on "City of Origin". In other words Guangzhou might
be a little different, not much, than Kunming. I have yet to find an
online publication of these surcharges.

Jim, I did my homework on this one, but don't take my word for it,
prove it to yourself by looking it up directly on China Post's own
website. This is a link to the actual SAL shipping table
http://www.chinapost.gov.cn/yyzn/zif...i/gjkybgzf.htm
Kindly take notice that the first kg is 102 yuan and subsequent kgs
are less than half that price at only 43 yuan each. Most people would
call that a pretty substantial price break by any metric.

If you are paying ACTUAL shipping rates, shipping <=1kg at a time is
the most expensive way to go, period. Any differences you may have
seen from these tables is because your vendor is charging you more, or
less (but usually more), than the actual CP rates. Hence my
recommendation to negotiate your relationship to the point where you
pay ACTUAL shipping.

Case closed....

Mike Petro
http://www.pu-erh.net

Pu-erh storage and shipping
 

Case reopened. I wished you would quote some SAL rates from your China
Post shipping manifest/customs declaration forms from Kunming. It
doesn't get anymore actual than that. We can judge for ourselves if
there is a kg savings and if the costs are not the same then shipping
location does matter and not a flat rate from anywhere in China to
anywhere in the US. Here are some of mine from Kunming: 3168g/265y,
2417g/206y, 1778g/163y, 1607g/123y, 1500g/112y, 1100g/95y. I don't see
any additional kg pricebreak. The last figure is cheaper than your
shipping table. These numbers are printed on the manifest and not hand
written. You can tell the clerk puts the parcel on a scale and gets a
printout of the weight and SAL price. The rest of the information is
hand printed. I've got a 4 x 500g shipment coming from Shanghai. It
comes in a presentation box so with packaging/boxing I expect an
additional .5 kg. I've been quoted $20 SAL by the vendor which if true
is $6 less than the 2417g from Kunming. I'll know the true shipping
weight and cost from the manifest. About half of my shipments are
missing the manifest when they arrive but the postage is still stamped
on the box. Even then it is net tea weight plus estimated weight of
packaging. I've got a 1kg/194y AIR shipment from Guangzhou which is a
little more expensive than your table. I also got another AIR shipment
200g/78y from the same vendor. You can see a kg bump there.

Jim

Mike Petro wrote:
> On 7 Jan 2006 06:48:20 -0800, "Space Cowboy" >
> wrote:
>
> >There is no price break in China Post SAL kilo shipments from Kunming.
> >My shipments vary from 1-2.5kg. The heaviest 2.5kg/210y while the
> >lightest 1.2kg/110y with everything else proportional in between which
> >is 10 shipments so far. The various shipping weights are distributed
> >and not clustered. The number 1kg/100y from Kunming seems to be a good
> >estimate to where I live in the US. There may be some break but not
> >before 2.5kg. You need to look at the postage on your shipments. I
> >also don't expect the same rates from Shanghai which remains to be
> >seen. The actual shipping cost is a function of shipping distance,
> >location and connections. You don't know till you see the package.
> >
> >Jim
>
>
> Jim, with all due respect, you are mistaken!
>
> I have personally received over 200kg of puerh directly from China in
> 2005, I spent over a thousand dollars on shipping alone last year, so
> trust me when I say that I made it a point to know the ACTUAL shipping
> rates.
>
> The price break occurs at ">=1kg" gross weight, while the discount
> percentage may be different, the breaking point is consistently at the
> ">=1kg" point across all three shipping methods.
>
> Furthermore, it does NOT matter where you live in the USA, the price
> is the same regardless if you are in California or Maine (not sure
> about PR, AK, or HI). However I have seen small differences due to
> surcharges based on "City of Origin". In other words Guangzhou might
> be a little different, not much, than Kunming. I have yet to find an
> online publication of these surcharges.
>
> Jim, I did my homework on this one, but don't take my word for it,
> prove it to yourself by looking it up directly on China Post's own
> website. This is a link to the actual SAL shipping table
> http://www.chinapost.gov.cn/yyzn/zif...i/gjkybgzf.htm
> Kindly take notice that the first kg is 102 yuan and subsequent kgs
> are less than half that price at only 43 yuan each. Most people would
> call that a pretty substantial price break by any metric.
>
> If you are paying ACTUAL shipping rates, shipping <=1kg at a time is
> the most expensive way to go, period. Any differences you may have
> seen from these tables is because your vendor is charging you more, or
> less (but usually more), than the actual CP rates. Hence my
> recommendation to negotiate your relationship to the point where you
> pay ACTUAL shipping.
>
> Case closed....
>
> Mike Petro
> http://www.pu-erh.net

Pu-erh storage and shipping
 

Space Cowboy wrote:
> Case reopened.

Whatever Jim, as usual it appears that you like to argue with anything
I say simply because it was me who said it.

Yes, I get those maifests too, only none quite that small, no I dont
save them, and no I wont argue with you about this anymore. If you wont
believe China Post's own published rates then there is little more
anyone can say to you.

Mike
www.pu-erh.net

Pu-erh storage and shipping
 

Mike 1/9/06


>
> Space Cowboy wrote:
>> Case reopened.
>
> Whatever Jim, as usual it appears that you like to argue with anything
> I say simply because it was me who said it.
>
> Yes, I get those maifests too, only none quite that small, no I dont
> save them, and no I wont argue with you about this anymore. If you wont
> believe China Post's own published rates then there is little more
> anyone can say to you.


Mike, not to open a can of worms, but I have a question: Would the China
Post rates to us be the same from every area of China? Would the rates from
Kunming be different from the rates from Shanghai or Guangzhou? Just asking.

Michael

Pu-erh storage and shipping
 

You don't know what anything from Kunming costs. I do. I keep the
manifest for provenance or in this case to verify I don't know what
China Post is quoting. I don't care. I know parts of Yunnan are
Autonomous if not the entire province. Maybe that makes a difference
in costs from Kunming. Maybe it is the clerk charging more and
pocketing the difference. Maybe their computers haven't downloaded the
new rate tables. Maybe, maybe, maybe doesn't change the actual cost to
my house. So suck it up and don't blame me.

Jim

Mike Petro wrote:
> Space Cowboy wrote:
> > Case reopened.
>
> Whatever Jim, as usual it appears that you like to argue with anything
> I say simply because it was me who said it.
>
> Yes, I get those maifests too, only none quite that small, no I dont
> save them, and no I wont argue with you about this anymore. If you wont
> believe China Post's own published rates then there is little more
> anyone can say to you.
>
> Mike
> www.pu-erh.net

Pu-erh storage and shipping
 

> Mike, not to open a can of worms, but I have a question: Would the China
> Post rates to us be the same from every area of China? Would the rates from
> Kunming be different from the rates from Shanghai or Guangzhou? Just asking.
>
> Michael

Yes Michael they can be different, thats what I meant when I talked
about surcharges based on "City of Origin". There is no difference
based on destination, USA is USA as far they are concerned, the only
differences are based on "City of Origin".

> However I have seen small differences due to
> surcharges based on "City of Origin". In other words Guangzhou might
> be a little different, not much, than Kunming. I have yet to find an
> online publication of these surcharges.

The other thing to consider, although Jim obviousley hasnt, is that
China Post offers discounts based on shipping volume, much like UPS
does here. In other words if you ship more than X in a month you will
get X discount, if you ship more than Y in a month then you will get Y
discount etc. Several vendors I have worked told me of getting
qualified for these discounts. That is probably why he had a few BOLs
that were below the published rates. Howvever until you get the first
quote from a vendor you cant count on them being qualified for the
discount, so I always use their published rate as that is the worst
case scenerio.

Mike

Pu-erh storage and shipping
 

Space Cowboy wrote:
> You don't know what anything from Kunming costs. I do. I keep the
> manifest for provenance or in this case to verify I don't know what
> China Post is quoting. I don't care. I know parts of Yunnan are
> Autonomous if not the entire province. Maybe that makes a difference
> in costs from Kunming. Maybe it is the clerk charging more and
> pocketing the difference. Maybe their computers haven't downloaded the
> new rate tables. Maybe, maybe, maybe doesn't change the actual cost to
> my house. So suck it up and don't blame me.
>
> Jim

I see you haven't changed a bit. You wouldn't take my word for it
if I said the earth was round. For once it would be nice if you gave me
a little credit for having experience in this arena. I have been doing
this a lot longer, and on a much larger scale, than you ever have. I
wont let you feed these newbies all of that malarkey when I know you
are wrong.

For those who care China Post rates can be found at:
http://www.chinapost.gov.cn/yyzn/zif...i/gjkybgzf.htm
Some vendors will even get discounted rates below those shown above if
they have enough volume. In any event always negotiate ACTUAL shipping
rates. Chinese vendors love to lump shipping cost in with the cost of
their teas. It makes it much harder for the customer to know, and
compare, the REAL price of the tea that way.

Cheers,

Mike

BTW, I thought you were going to leave me alone Jim? Are you reneging?

Pu-erh storage and shipping
 

> The other thing to consider, although Jim obviousley hasnt, is that
> China Post offers discounts based on shipping volume, much like UPS
> does here. In other words if you ship more than X in a month you will
> get X discount, if you ship more than Y in a month then you will get Y
> discount etc. Several vendors I have worked told me of getting
> qualified for these discounts. That is probably why he had a few BOLs
> that were below the published rates. Howvever until you get the first
> quote from a vendor you cant count on them being qualified for the
> discount, so I always use their published rate as that is the worst
> case scenerio.
>
> Mike
>

Mike,

All this makes excellent sense. Better to be
safe than sorry. I have the China Post rate
schedule handy, and what you say about
volume is clearly true.

Michael

Pu-erh storage and shipping
 

You first indirectly followed up my post on flat rate kg shipping costs
in this thread with the assertion there was kg price break after the
first kilo from China. I ended up quoting actual shipping manifest
weights and costs from Kunming to support my contention that there is
no price break after the first kilo. I think asking you for the same
information was not out of bounds. I'll be able to tell you in a month
or so what actual SAL from Shanghai costs for 2kg+. You say what you
want on shipping, I say what I want. Under the truce flag I have been
civil and still reserve the right to respectfully disagree with
anything you say.

Jim

PS I don't know how shipping costs are handed off from one country to
the next. But I'll bet the USPS will want more from China to ship to
NY than CA.

Mike Petro wrote:
> Space Cowboy wrote:
> > You don't know what anything from Kunming costs. I do. I keep the
> > manifest for provenance or in this case to verify I don't know what
> > China Post is quoting. I don't care. I know parts of Yunnan are
> > Autonomous if not the entire province. Maybe that makes a difference
> > in costs from Kunming. Maybe it is the clerk charging more and
> > pocketing the difference. Maybe their computers haven't downloaded the
> > new rate tables. Maybe, maybe, maybe doesn't change the actual cost to
> > my house. So suck it up and don't blame me.
> >
> > Jim
>
> I see you haven't changed a bit. You wouldn't take my word for it
> if I said the earth was round. For once it would be nice if you gave me
> a little credit for having experience in this arena. I have been doing
> this a lot longer, and on a much larger scale, than you ever have. I
> wont let you feed these newbies all of that malarkey when I know you
> are wrong.
>
> For those who care China Post rates can be found at:
> http://www.chinapost.gov.cn/yyzn/zif...i/gjkybgzf.htm
> Some vendors will even get discounted rates below those shown above if
> they have enough volume. In any event always negotiate ACTUAL shipping
> rates. Chinese vendors love to lump shipping cost in with the cost of
> their teas. It makes it much harder for the customer to know, and
> compare, the REAL price of the tea that way.
>
> Cheers,
>
> Mike
>
> BTW, I thought you were going to leave me alone Jim? Are you reneging?

Pu-erh storage and shipping
 

Space Cowboy wrote:
> You first indirectly followed up my post on flat rate kg shipping costs
> in this thread with the assertion there was kg price break after the
> first kilo from China. I ended up quoting actual shipping manifest
> weights and costs from Kunming to support my contention that there is
> no price break after the first kilo. I think asking you for the same
> information was not out of bounds. I'll be able to tell you in a month
> or so what actual SAL from Shanghai costs for 2kg+. You say what you
> want on shipping, I say what I want. Under the truce flag I have been
> civil and still reserve the right to respectfully disagree with
> anything you say.
>
> Jim
>
> PS I don't know how shipping costs are handed off from one country to
> the next. But I'll bet the USPS will want more from China to ship to
> NY than CA.

Jim, quoting BOLs doesnt prove anything about the rate table or that
there wasnt a price break. All it proved was that you got charged
different rates between each package. However, I gurantee that the
first kg is more than the subsequent ones and I even produced CP's own
shipping tables to prove it. Every other shipping table I have ever
seen from China had this 1st kg permium, actually Air breaks it down
into several 200g sub-kg cataories as well. If you develop a
relationship beyond a one-time purchase, ask the vendor for the rate
chart, if they wont give it to find another vendor. If you do this you
will see that every rate chart you get will charge a premium for the
first kg.

This was a civil disagreement, which I had no problem with, until you
started the "You dont know ...." bit. That is where it started
crossing the line into something much more demeaning and akin to mud
slinging. You and I have a history of things escalating, I have no
problem with simply debating the facts, lets just keep it civil please.


Mike
www.pu-erh.net

PS Ship something via USPS to China, I have done this also, the rate
will be the same regardless of the destination City. I think it's the
transcontinental piece that they really care about.

Pu-erh storage and shipping
 

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.

I found this out because I complained about the damage I found in a
couple shipments, that's when the guy started telling me about the
Post Office requiring you to use their stuff etc. He had to get special
permission to package the boxes himself before bringing them to the
post office and he still had to use their box.


Mike
www.pu-erh.net

Pu-erh storage and shipping
 

Every box I have from China says China Post in English somewhere on the
box. The ones from Kunming have wrapping tape that says Kunming Post
in English. The ones from Guangzhou have wrapping tape thats say China
Post in English. This might explain why my shipping address is in
poorly written pencil which is the only backup if the BOL becomes
separated which it does. Or as I suspect the USPS mail courier thinks
they need it for their records. It didn't occur to me the packaging
was probably taking place at CP and you know it wouldn't be free.

Jim

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.
>
> I found this out because I complained about the damage I found in a
> couple shipments, that's when the guy started telling me about the
> Post Office requiring you to use their stuff etc. He had to get special
> permission to package the boxes himself before bringing them to the
> post office and he still had to use their box.
>
>
> Mike
> www.pu-erh.net

Pu-erh storage and shipping
 

On Mon, 09 Jan 2006 17:55:17 +0000, Michael Plant wrote:

>
>
>> [quoted text muted]
> Mike,
>
> All this makes excellent sense. Better to be safe than sorry. I have the
> China Post rate schedule handy, and what you say about volume is clearly
> true.
>
> Michael

The objective here is "getting a good deal", or "not getting ripped off",
or "being able to make informed decisions about the tea that you are
buying by comparing the actual purchase price of the tea itself".

So, regardless of what the rates are or aren't, you can still negotiate
actual shipping charges based on the official China Post table. Using the
official rate chart can give you, as a customer, something solid with
which to negotiate the delivered price. It can allow you to focus on the
prices of the teas themselves, to decide which tea is a better value or a
more expensive purchase based on the price of the tea itself - if
the vendor is hip to doing this.

So even if the price is more than the published rate, perhaps the vendor
gets a volume discount and that makes up for it.

If you had a friend in China that were willing to ship some tea to you as
a favor, and the price went over the published rate, of course you would
forward h/er the difference.

You may not feel the same sense of obligation with a vendor, but in any
case, I don't see how it could hurt to arrange to pay the shipping fees
listed in the official chart, and then if the actual prices end up being
more, then maybe you can work something out with the vendor to try to
figure out why, and maybe split the difference, or do it differently next
time, etc...

If nothing else, the published rates make a great starting point, and if
they separate the price of shipping from the price of the tea, can help
you as a customer to make more informed decisions about what to buy or not
buy.

Pu-erh storage and shipping
 

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

Pu-erh storage and shipping
 

[Jim]
>>> Here are some of mine from Kunming: 3168g/265y,
>>> 2417g/206y, 1778g/163y, 1607g/123y, 1500g/112y, 1100g/95y.

[Mike, I think]
>> 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.
>
[Definitely more Mike]
> 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.

[Michael]
So, Mike here in the land of plenty, God's Own Country, we have the quaint
saying, "to go postal." Does China Post have an equivelant phrase? FWIW,
I just went to mail some packages. I paid for the box for the package going
to Taiwan. Those going to other states went priority mail, and all those
boxes were free. BTW, postal rates went up here. Surprise. I sent a 20 kilo
box from Quito to New York City last year. It went boat mail, the cheapest
of the cheap methods. (Ecuador's post is damned expensive.) I tipped a
worker in the post office, who packed it up and sealed it well and filled
out the necessary paperwork. Box arrived in New York a week later. Went
by air, it seems at half the usual post cost. The tip did it.

Michael
Bakshis, Babu??!!!?

Pu-erh storage and shipping
 

Thanks for the followup. 2 dealers from Kunming and 1 from Guangzhou
have been consistent in what they charge me up front for shipping
versus what appears on the BOL. You pay the CP piper not matter what
the figure includes. Yesterday I checked the international rates
calculation on USPS.COM. As soon as you indicate China destination
then all addressing fields disappear with weight and shipping method
the only two options which means anywhere in the US to anywhere in
China for the same price. No wonder the USPS jacked up postage two
cents to pay for the China trade surplus component in shipping.

Jim

Mike Petro wrote:
> 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

Pu-erh storage and shipping
 

I have another shipping question, it is about tracking number from China
Post, can you get it or it is extremely expensive or just unavailable?



Mike Petro wrote:
> 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
>

Pu-erh storage and shipping
 

On Wed, 11 Jan 2006 02:25:46 GMT, oleg shteynbuk
> wrote:

>I have another shipping question, it is about tracking number from China
>Post, can you get it or it is extremely expensive or just unavailable?


Only with the EMS shipping option which is the most expensive.

Mike Petro
http://www.pu-erh.net