I have had issues with the TSA too on more than one occasion, in my case it was their attitude. During the last visit my wife had her carry on case searched because it contained an 'Ornamental Monkey',
don't ask, made from solid resin, the scanner operator kept zoming in and out on it then asked for someone to come and check it visually.
As to shipping why not send by land, it takes weeks due to being sent by boat but it is many times cheaper.