Cheapest method of posting stuff (3.5kg) to the USA

[fairisledog]

I agreed to post to the USA for a buyer bidding on some of my stuff as they asked so nicely and seemed to have a good reason for asking (son with special needs who is really into the stuff I was selling which is not readily available over there).

Does anyone have suggestions for the cheapest way to mail the stuff, I seem to be coming to the conclusion that it is cheapest split into smaller parcels, can this be right ?

Any help with this dilemma greatly appreciated

[dotnet]

I don't know about the splitting it into smaller parcels idea, but sending something surface mail is LOADS cheaper than other methods if you're using Royal Mail. But the person who placed the order needs to know its arrival could take up to 56 days.
However, I posted something to the States that way a couple of months ago and it arrived a lot quicker than that - it took maybe three and a half weeks or so. But you need to be confident the buyer isn't going to fuss over the (lack of) speed; some people might get twitchy and annoying & pester you with messages while they wait.

[SavoyCabbage]

Try a parcel comparison website. You put in the weight and dimensions and it tells you which company offers the best deal.

[Jacksonville14]

you also need to be confident that the buyer will receive it - and if they claim they don't you have to refund them in full so a tracked service is recommended.

[EggsAreRound]

I know that definitely breaking it up into parcels of less than 2kg each is by far the cheapest here (France). Anything over 2kg gets crazily expensive, eg more than €100 over 2kg, less than €40 for 2 packages of under 2kg each.