> I should like the insight of some old "China hands" with
> regard to shipping material overseas, particularly books. I shall be
> working within China in the next month or so and the biggest problem
> for me has been shipping books. The cost of air-mail (for me) is
> prohibitive, yet sending them by surface mail (hence, the "slow
> boat to China") is unduly long. The U.S. Post office indicated
> to me that it could take anywhere from six weeks to three months, the
> variation in times keyed primarily to how long it would take to get
> the books through Chinese customs. The price here is right (about a
> dollar a pound), but the time lag is a bit much.

> As I will be teaching Western Civ, among other things, I really need
> to take some necessary texts (all the books would be of a historical
> and referential nature). If anyone has some insight and experience in
> handling this situation, I would greatly appreciate your comments.

> Eirik
Have you ever think of searching the Internet for all the books you are planning to bring, Eirik? I found it more practical and safer.