China EMS

U.S.?
From an e-commerce perspective, what is the cheapest way to ship from the U.S. to China? Using USPS First Class International mail, it costs ~$11 to ship 1lb package and ~$33 to ship a 3lb package. However, there are some websites that say they use China EMS and only charge $7 for 3lb packages and $12.50 for 8lbs. Any idea of how this is possible or if there are alternative low-cost but dependable shipping carriers?

OK, I just put the order in for 12 woks for Ted, Richard, Peter, Craig, Don and myself.

Shipping hasn't been determined yet. But this is more about the adventure than $20 in shipping. I hope.

Awesome! Mine is destined for my parent's Aga stove this Christmas. I hope it will be something my family can enjoy for years to come.

Speaking of adventures this is not my first rodeo. If I get an idea or want something I go after it.

On this one without Shaun it would not have happened. So I owe him a debt of gratitude. THANKS SHAUN.

Here's an update.

Mate,

I just came back.

I am questioning how this American journalist can find this small store. I have to admire them. It is located inside of a crowded fruit market and it is at the end of one small road. It took me half an hour to drive around. At last, I have to park the car into one packing lot then I walked to find it.

And the brothers are not good business man. :) I told them I wish to 12 woks. They said "you are a wholesaler and we don not sell our woks to wholesaler". He makes me feel strange and I even dare not to bargain with him. I have to explain to him that I come here from songjiang especially for your wok. Please sell me considering the long journey. My friends in USA like your woks very much.....It seems that I am begging him to buy. Ridiculous. :) I am not angry but feel unusual for the two brothers' temper. at last, he said he has only one 45cm, one 40cm and four 36cm. And I have to wait for 2 weeks then I can get the short six 40cm. And I have to pay them upfront then they can produce for me. So I have to pay them all the woks fee and I can go there to collect the woks two weeks later.

When I was on my way to home, I realized that they are so small still just because their unusual character. :) If they are shrewd business man as my friend shaun, they can hire 20 workers due to the good quality.

Thanks,
Aaron

It is good to know that we are on....

This story just gets better doesn't it?

The key passage here is in the last sentence..."DUE TO THE GOOD QUALITY"

In other words you Boyz are gettin sumthin SPECIAL. That few people in the world have.

As I told my Chinese friend who decided to cancel out her order when I explained the shipping costs to her..

That you can buy a stamped out in a factory Wok by the boatload for a few dollars.. but this is a handmade Wok that requires skill to make.

To the guyz who did step up to the plate on this one, it shows me that you have Taste and want something beyond the humdrum ordinary.

Cool story and photo, Shaun! I'll print these out and they'll go along with the wok when it gets wrapped up.

I've asked Aaron to take some more pics when he goes back. I'm sure there will be additional storyline too.

How goes our little adventure in Shanghai?

Hey Ted, remind me on Thursday and I'll check with Aaron.

A ok.

Thank you for the reminder Ted. Just got an email back from Aaron. The woks are done, Aaron is having a courier pick them up for him, he may have them tomorrow, that's Saturday for us. Will let you know any updates.

The next subject will be Wok burners and being able to cook the stir fry the way it is supposed to be done...hot

I guess most residential gas stoves have 6k to 8k btu burners..while a Chinese restrurant burner is125k btu. Watching videos of Chinese chefs they are constantly in motion cooking dishes in several moments.

A 125k burner without the appropriate Range Hood to provide ventilation is not safe for in door use. So the answer is to get an outdoor propane burner putting out around 50k plus btu. There are some made in Taiwan for about $80.
Milleniu is a Taiwan brand but no price and no American distributed.

I cook very well having been self taught for decades. Italian, Mexican, French, BBq all got that down. Oriental not so much...largely because of an inadequate heat source. So now a new adventure begins for me. Another learning curve. Here in LV there is no lack of Asian grocery stores in which I can spend hours just looking at the variety of foods that they offer. I will pick up a jar of something and think what kind of dish do you use this for?

I recommend that you fly over and see it first hand before diving in. It will make your new hobby much more satisfying.

I have been there and done that.