Well, Australia Post don't look so bad when you compare - UPS cost to return a CCD to me after a service by Apogee - US$266. Wow! It cost me about $55 to send over there - thank heavens the service was all under warranty.
Peter
You must be using one of the more expensive UPS options Peter.
USPS rates were once cheaper than UPS but UPS now offers the cheapest shipping from OPT or B&H for packages I've ordered. I've got a Tenba refractor case and 8mm Delos on the way from B&H Photo for $70 UPS Expedited.
UPS is not generally cheaper than USPS please check out there relevant websites, a lot has to do with the size and weight of the parcel being sent (also whether the shipper gets special volume rates).
When ordering items from the US I always ask that it be shipped USPS
