This is very interesting to me.
I recently, (As in within the last eight months.) ordered some Knight Design footrests and peg lowering widgets. Now, these weren't cheap, but I was happy to take the hit because their stuff is good and it's helping a small business make a living.
Months later I get an apologetic email saying that the order was stuck in a loop and had flown between Portland and San Francisco something like seven times and they were really trying to sort it out.
A few weeks later I got another apologetic email and a full refund.
Apparently the USPS is refusing to ship to Australia because it is 'Too Expensive'. I queried this and it seems it's true! What sort of third world country is it that ignores international protocols and agreements and punishes it's own exporters?! Mad!
And please don't say use a 'Private Shipper' the courier companies are between twice and four times the cost that 'Post' used to be. This isn't shipping a gearbox or engine! It's a pair of footrests FFS!
Rant mode off!
(PS. I just bought some $50 Chineseum ones. Not because I wanted to, simply because I could get them.)