The cost of shipping, wharf charges, customs agents charges, Customs duty and sales tax, distributors costs, and the LQS profit, all combine to bump up our prices.
Early this year I was looking for a Michael Miller Fairy panel. Cost in Australia? $22.95. US cost? $9.95. Even with postage it was way less to buy it from the US. Recently I bought 5 yards of fabric from the US for $17.95. The cost for the same fabric in Australia was at least $25 per metre.