I sometimes have to assure sellers that the process of shipping internationally is easy enough, just a matter of filling out a simple customs declaration form. The real barrier to importing, at least from the U.S. to Canada, is the exchange rate. Shipping costs have also risen dramatically the past few years but are still not prohibitive for sending something as small and light as an ukulele. As I mentioned earlier, though, I greatly prefer to have items shipped via USPS/Canada Post, both because the postal service rates are typically much more reasonable and because the private courier companies charge rapacious brokerage fees. And lose packages. And break things. And never pay up when they do.
It's becoming more difficult to sell items internationally, too. I put a Kamaka HP-1 soprano up for sale here a while ago (still available, for anyone who's in the market) and had an agreement to buy from a fellow UU member. That sale fell through when I discovered that PayPal has apparently instituted a requirement that for international sales above a certain threshold a seller must submit a copy of their birth certificate, passport or driver's license. Not likely! Assuming I encounter the same barrier again, I'll have to insist on payment by cashier's cheque or wire transfer. I never do business on Reverb but am told that that site now relies on a payment system that requires one to submit a bank account number and password. Why anyone would be so cavalier as to turn over that information is beyond me, but I guess many do.
$400 tax on a $500 ukulele -- yikes! So much for fostering international trade. If I had to pay that sort of premium there'd be something decorating my walls besides stringed instruments. Duties run about 15% here.
BTW, for anyone shipping an instrument internationally, it's always a good idea to include a note on the customs form indicating that the instrument contains no materials prohibited by CITES (the Convention on Trade in Endangered Species). That was a big issue after the treaty was ratified, but fortunately an exemption was soon made for rosewood on antique instruments and furniture. It pays to be safe, though. Those ivory fret markers could get an instrument impounded if some zealous customs agent decides to have a look-see.
