We certainly are getting gouged. Years back I sent a gun to the Birmingham proof house on my own, it was an antique so it went UPS. Cost me about $45. But the proof house didn't have an export license and refused to get one (although it was no cost to them) so I had to pay around $400 to have an exporter get it back to me.
I just ran a UPS estimate for shipping an 8kg package 120x20x20cm from London to NY, insured for £1000.
$76 for 6 days, $91 for 3 days.
Tack on a $50 handling fee if you want but if they already have an export license (again, when I inquired to the British government I was told there is no charge, just paperwork) I think we're getting royally screwed.
