OK, I'll backtrack some more and go into details.

I use this method for STURDY, MODERN and relatively INEXPENSIVE chips that I mail to FOREIGN countries. I can't remember when I had a problem, and even if I did, it would be worth it in the long run. It costs me about $1 in postage instead of about $10, because I send it the International LETTER rate, not the PARCEL rate. To send it the LETTER rate (and not the PARCEL rate), the mail piece must be no more than 1/4 inch thick. (I can use the customs free-tracking form with the letter mail piece.) Tell me it is not worth it!

I fold some strong cereal cardboard box material (like from a Cheerios box) around the chip, and secure that with strong tape. Then I securely tape that little chip bundle onto a sheet of paper, which all go into a sturdy Kraft envelope, like this:

Lastly, I write "hand-cancel" on the mail piece (and include the 21-cent non-machinable surcharge in the postage).
Robert
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