I too don't quite understand what is going on with the free shipping charges on small electronic items from Asian sellers on E-bay. Last month I bought a electronic item for 99 cents that included free shipment from China. How can that be a money making thing for anyone? I suspect there is some kind of subsidies from their government for shipping costs.
Not complaining as I've taken advantage of lots of cheap Asian components and modules, never had a problem with quality or function of the items, and as a budget limited hobbyist I am overjoyed. But that doesn't mean I understand it is possible to sell an item with free shipment for such low costs. 