I have purchased items from China that were then transported directly to the US via airline baggage. There's no duty on items below a certain amount. The last time I crossed a US border - a week ago - I had to sign a declaration on any items purchased over $75 in value.
There wasn't necessarily a duty for such items, but you had to declare them. In most cases you can bring $800 worth of swag back with you without any fees. There are exceptions for even higher amounts on certain types of things.
http://www.independenttraveler.com/r...=63&category=6
I have family in China and I have never bought anything online that I know of that was shipped from there, but I think the same rules would apply - at the very least.
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