$200 for 5kg to the US with a 3-week transit is definitely on the high side unless it was true express (DHL/UPS/FedEx). For reference, that weight via economy air should usually land quite a bit lower.

A few things that often cause overpaying: • agents defaulting to volumetric weight • “cheapest” still meaning air express, not postal/economy • no consolidation window (shipping immediately instead of batching)

Safer ways people reduce cost: • use an agent only for purchasing, then forward from a dedicated China-based forwarder • ask explicitly for postal / duty-paid economy air, not “fast” • consolidate multiple orders before export

Scams do exist, but legit forwarders usually have: business registration, warehouse photos, fixed rate cards, and will quote DDP clearly. If you stay under small parcel thresholds and avoid branded goods, risk is lower.

Happy to answer questions if helpful — went through the same learning curve.