So I bought some LM12UU linear bearings from a nominally US-based eBay seller and received a suitably marked bag:
They looked a bit on the skinny side:
It seems somebody in the supply chain wasn’t paying attention, which isn’t surprising given the its ability to deliver ten hunks of reasonably precise machining to my mailbox for a buck-and-a-half apiece.
As it happens, I already have far too many LM8UU bearings and, after some unavailing back-and-forth with the seller, eBay customer service determined neither of us was “at fault” and refunded the whole order.
Being in no particular hurry, I ordered the next lot from halfway around the planet. Apparently, I’m now known throughout the land:
Another label atop that one sported my actual address, with a matching Orange Connex tracking number barcode. Turns out OC is a “a joint venture between a leader in Chinese private equity investment, CITI CPE, and the a [sic] pioneer of global e-commerce platform, ebay”.
AFAICT, containers of “direct from China” packages arrive in the belly of a cargo airplane, get a sticker with their final destination, and enter the US postal system. It’s not clear buying from a “US seller” changes anything, as many of those packages come from addresses matching a building next to an airport.
The Smell of Molten Projects in the Morning 
I ordered something from China a while back. It took several months to arrive, and according to the envelope it came from Vanuatu.
As it happens, I have a small connection to Vanuatu. One of Dad’s (very few) war stories was shoving equipment into the sea after VJ Day, but it probably wasn’t at Million Dollar Point.
Maybe they’re recycling WWII metal into whatever you bought. [grin]
Maybe Vanuatu is a trans-shipment point… a way to dodge those nasty tariffs.
Something relating to customs/tariffs is what I figured. :)
And that’s one pretty interesting connection to Vanuatu!