Are the USA completely over the top with their security checks on international mail?

I know what you mean, it's horrible! I live in Germany and I have friends in the US, whenever they send me a package it takes a week at the most, but when I send them a package it just takes FOREVER! I mailed out my Christmas present about three weeks ago, and it still didn't arrive. I kind of understand that they are scared of terrorists, but this is just extremely annoying. If they can't handle checking all the stuff that arrives there for bombs, they just need to employ more people.