Shipped Leica 50mm Summicron, silver #3818074 lens USPS to Bruce,, Australia, July of this year 2009. Buyer says he never received it. Customs # swipped in country. So somewheres between Melbourne and Bruce, Australia, it must have gotten stolen, right. Enjoy the bad Karma.
No insurance on the shipment. Coincidentally, 2 weeks earlier unbeknownst to me a friend returned to the same individual a 50/1.2 Hexar and that lens was not received either.
Have you asked USPS for proof of delivery, surely you sent such a valuable item registered post or recorded delivery, otherwise the addresse just needs to deny receiving it, and there's nothing you can do.