Work with eBay, keeping in mind that eBay will scrutinize correspondence between buyer and seller. But "eBay Buyer Protection" will most likely cover your loss based upon your status with them.

The package could have been pilfered anywhere. Therefore, I would not shine a suspicious light only on China. A number of years ago, I was in a similar situation with a non-eBay, USPS registered and insured Ojime sent from New York City to San Francisco. -It was undelivered and lost in the mail for over one week…

Eventually, the USPS investigated my claim and sent me a stack of form letters signed by each person who handled the registered package -claiming: "The US Postal Service did everything possible to provide proper handling of my package." And they refused to accept responsibility for loss of a twenty five hundred dollar bead.

After all, how can a person know a package arrived pilfered without opening the box first? And evidence of pilfering becomes destroyed when a box is delivered and opened after the postman leaves…

I wonder if I should have tried taking the USPS to court over this?…Don't we need permission before suing the Federal Government?

The funny part of the story is that the missing bead depicted a rat. So, I probably sounded like a nut case.

For important packages, I prefer other carriers rather than the USPS -like Federal Express- whenever possible. We may also consider carrying transit insurance with a private insurance company.

I am so sorry you had this problem. I know how worrisome it can be.

Frederick

P.S. Did you loose an important Pumtek bead? I feel that June's (your mother's) Pumtek beads were some of her best choices.