purchases from multiple countries

Are you worried about customs? Or something you bring in being banned? If just customs and normal tourist purchases, the French won't care.

Thanks for the link for French customs. That was a great help. I don't expect expensive purchases, just a few souvenirs.

Yes, customs. I didn't want to pay duty twice on anything i bought in india.

I always mail stuff to myself at home, rather than carting things around in my luggage. Unless you will be using what you buy, I recommend the post. You can send things slooooow boat, so they don't get home before you do - or send them to an accomodating friend or family member who will keep them safe until you return.

You can find all the French duty & customs rules here: http://www.douane.gouv.fr/data/file/5461.pdf

I think "the French won't care" is a bit of a sweeping statement. There are rules about what you can import here from outside the EU, even if it IS on it's way to the US. See the earlier posting regarding info and web sites.
Roger

I checked with FedEx and UPS and found that a 5 lb. package of less that $100 in value sent to the US will cost more that $200 to ship via UPS and almost that much via FedEx. Has anyone tried the local postal service to send things to the US? Is it cheaper and do the packages arrive safely?

You can get a list of prohibited items (for the US) at CBP's website: http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/vacation/kbyg/prohibited_restricted.xml Or just browse around at www.cbp.gov/travel Warning, it's not as readable as it should be (too much technical language).