Dear Peter, tread carefully on this. We´ve had reports of very limited size restrictions for parcels going into the US. Rims would be out if the reports are true, have the sender check this first. There´s no mention of this in official Post Office brochures, though; so have him check very thoroughly.
If the rims are ok size-wise, they would be charged by weight. Parcels up to 5 kg are 29 Euros plus 15 Euros air freight supplement. 44 Euros seem to be an unbelievable 60 US-Dollars at the moment.
For parcels that weigh 5 to 10 kg it´s 39 plus 30 Euros, air freight would then be just under 95 US-Dollars.
I won´t spoil your Christmas by quoting charges for parcels heavier than 10 kg.
Regards,
Toni Theilmeier, Belm, Germany.