Well, as a follow up to this, I have just ordered something that, quite by chance, turns out to be shipped from the US
a small connector, 6 pounds 40 including shipping (that was the best price that I could find)
I have a DHL tracing number to follow which has so far been to 6 different US locations (though they are probably simply different departments in the same building)
so I don't know where 40 dollars shipping can come from
tim