can anyone advise? is it still possible to send by boat, and do i just go to the regular post office for that? if i mark it as gifts, is it still likely to get pulled by the customs mafia?

I think you will find that no matter who you ship it with (USPS, FedEx, UPS), be prepared, thanks to 9-11, etc., to fill-out a lengthy amount of U.S. Customs paperwork and pay through the nose to boot! You will have to list EVERY item that is in the box and the declared value. Mark it as PERSONAL GOODS, as gifts can and will probably be taxed in some form or fashion. After that hurdle, get the appropriate amount of insurance as back up. You can do the "slow boat to China" mode and expect it to take upwards of two months (if you are lucky) to wash up on the shore of your desired destination. It would be best to check out what you CAN and CANNOT send through the mail. Just check the USPS website as they have it all listed in pretty straight forward fashion. Also, once you have the box in the "ready, set, go" position, weigh it and do a call around to the various agencies to see what the price is to ship it the slooooooowest way possible, unless it's stuff you need in a reasonable amount of time....like your next birthday! You are, after all, shipping a distance of over 7,500 miles. Container ships are HUGE and slow. Your best bet? You are allowed to take two bags with you when you fly, plus a carry-on! Of course, the "Customs Mafia" will be waiting for you just the same.

Good luck.

We always send U.S. Mail. In boxes up to 18" x 18". We list everything as gifts. Takes 10 to 14 days and is never a charge for my family. We also wrap special items meds./vitimins to keep from making sounds and then wrap in wraping paper to keep inspecters from opening them. So far so good. We have used DSL, but the box was damaged and many items were missing and my family was still charged extra.

Earlier this year, the US Postal Service stopped offering seamail/surface service for international parcel post.

You might look into unaccompanied luggage shipment with your airline; you take your boxes the day before to the airline's cargo department: much much cheaper than what you'll pay if you're over your free allowance at check-in.

Earlier this year, the US Postal Service stopped offering seamail/surface service for international parcel post.

that's what i thought- i didn't see it offered on their website any longer! drat!

wow no longer do they not offer slow shipment by boat anymore but there are also no more M-bags, which was a great way to ship books! argh