well i got our US mate buddy johnson to ship a Pro Circuit pipe for me earlier this year, and the post office told him US$300 take it or leave it. because of the size, not the weight. he tried unpacking it and just bubblewrapping it to make it smaller but no better. had to bite the bullet and get him to cut it at the start of the stinger and box it. still $100 or something to ship. ended up costing me A$350.
shoulda taken firko's advice and go thru his exporter contact (ie, container shipping).