[Scoundreller]

With a China Post/HK postmark?

Or some other courier or with a USPS postmark? Because that would indicate it got commercially brokered with all duties assessed and paid by someone.

[silisili]

Yeah China Post. It's a combination of factors, including something called the UPU, de minimis, and subsidies on both sides. The USPS loses money on every item sent.

Most small trinkets use something called ePacket, check its pricing here - https://jingsourcing.com/shipping-from-china-to-us-cost/

It would cost me as an American 4x that amount to send something to even my neighbor via USPS.

I wouldn't say I'm a tariff fan, but US sellers have been getting ripped off for years, and few people even know or care.