I once sent a guitar pedal to Thailand and it cost something around $40 Canadian. I also sent a guitar pedal to Germany and I think it was about $30 or so. Shipping really isn't all that much, imo. I always find it strange how much ppl freak out about the costs of it, as if it's gonna cost as much as the item itself or something.
Anyway, things can be sent as "gifts" and that can help offset the costs of tariffs or import taxes sometimes. You have to be careful with that though, because if there's a problem with the shipment, there's no recourse. Unfortunately, when you buy from a manufacturer or retailer, there's basically no way to avoid the additional charges but if there's a problem, it's generally not too hard to get what's owed you.