This shows the rate for 12 oz under Parcel Select—Lightweight. Depending how closely you're injecting the product (how many miles the "last mile" is), rates range from $1.83 to $4.34. Not seeing $4.76 anywhere.
The absolute lowest theoretical price for having the USPS deliver a presorted parcel that my logistic network injects into the USPS delivery network as close as possible to the recipient is still more than the terminal fee China would pay USPS to take that parcel from port to recipient doorstep.
I think that's what the NPR report was getting at, with their colorful tales.
This shows the rate for 12 oz under Parcel Select—Lightweight. Depending how closely you're injecting the product (how many miles the "last mile" is), rates range from $1.83 to $4.34. Not seeing $4.76 anywhere.