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Thanks for the link. The price difference is huge. Around 16:20 in the programme -- if one ships a 3/4-pound package across the US, the USPS has to charge the shipper $4.76 for the "last mile", but if the same package is imported from China, the USPS can only charge China Post for $1.39 according to the UPU reimbursement rates.

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https://pe.usps.com/text/dmm300/Notice123.htm#_c139

This shows the rate for 12 oz under Parcel Select—Lightweight. Depending how closely you're injecting the product (how many miles the "last mile" is), rates range from $1.83 to $4.34. Not seeing $4.76 anywhere.

The absolute lowest theoretical price for having the USPS deliver a presorted parcel that my logistic network injects into the USPS delivery network as close as possible to the recipient is still more than the terminal fee China would pay USPS to take that parcel from port to recipient doorstep.

I think that's what the NPR report was getting at, with their colorful tales.

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