'tis the season.

US does subsidize USPS. In fact, given past financial woes, the only reason it is still around is because it's the only constitutionally mandated service organization in the US. The government can't shut it down and let UPS, FEDEX or DHL take over.

China's rates are lower because their wages are much lower. The USPS is unionized with much higher wages and benefits. I'll keep USPS, though; they're the only shipping organization that has reasonable rates to get stuff overseas to military and diplomatic folks living there.