The bike can ship for much cheaper than that via USPS as 2 smaller boxes: wheels in one, frame fork and componets in the other. I've shipped bikes to both Japan and the UK in this fashion for under $200 with USPS.
Mr. Zero: Thanks, I ran a search here and dug out some quotes re shipping with USPS. Seller has already responded again and is looking for suitable boxes nice chap
nic: Thanks for the tip, I will send gm1230126 a PM.