Not sure if it applies to you but for 'lower value' items it is probably worth asking the seller about First Class International with e-delcon (a type of electronic tracking/delivery/confirmation) which I am seeing more and more of with small parcels. Makes it so much more reasonable (although yes a bit more 'risky' I guess) than the huge GSP/PB/PRIORITY prices.

Sometimes I use the angle that (and I let the seller know this) that if the shipping price is cheaper then I can afford to bid more on the actual item (because I am looking at the overall cost and a specific budget)