Honestly i believ the one selling the item should absorb the cost. With that said i do believe if your using lets say a phase 22 panel then a small cost for that is ok since they are a bit pricy then if they return it they get a refund on the money. styrofoam is not that expensive hell if i have something shipped to me i reuse most of the packing material. I know some think that they should charge the customer i dont think so.