[bluesparrow]

I don't think Mandarake has a problem changing the shipping method from the one you selected, if you ask before you pay. I think all they have to do is take the same package and apply different rates to the weight/dimensions.

Here's my rule of thumb when ordering from Mandarake:

1 figure: use SAL
2 figures: use SAL unless you really really want them right away, in which case I go with DHL
3+ figures: use DHL

If the order is from Mandarake Nakano branch then I use DHL no matter what because it's almost as cheap as SAL there(and nowhere else - no idea why, but Nakano get a big price break on DHL).

DHL scales better than EMS for larger orders. They're roughly comparable to a point though.