I worked for several companies that was very good in that respect, Japanese and European. I did exchange information and material on a very regular basis however, it was another person in shipping that took care of details of getting it there. AS an engineer the machanics of those transactions were an inpediment to doing the work! In short you are confusing the mechanics of transaction with cultural interaction. I have had only on case where I got something for the shipping cost and depite care in packaging by the shipper a s100 box was received severely bent! Over a certain weight crating is a must it would appear. I don't have the resources to crate a machine. For me save for that one long distance transaction other than for a floppy, a board or paper/books(small under 2kg) to strictly local transactions withing the driving distance of my old toyota pickup truck. As is, that can prove difficult! Allison