Shipping from the USA

Hey,
I wasn’t entirely sure where this would fit best, so I figured I’d just drop it here, though if there’s a more appropriate sub to post this in, please let me know.
Long story short, I’m ordering some specific machine parts from the USA, and the items themselves are running about $120. The seller is hitting me with a $30 "money wire fee," which isn't exactly breaking the bank, though I'd definitely appreciate a little insight into why those fees are even a thing.

The real headache, though, is the shipping. They’re quoting me $170 via UPS, which is nearly 50% more than the actual cost of the parts. Since I already know I’ll be staring down a 25% import duty on top of all that, I’m feeling a bit stuck on how to handle this. Any advice?
Thanks in advance.

It’s a common occurrence... Even though I shop internationally on a regular basis, I still can't wrap my head around why shipping from the USA is so outrageously expensive.
Do you happen to have an alternative option, perhaps a different site or something similar?

Unfortunately, no,
the machine is ancient and they’re the only ones left holding the spare parts since they don't have any suppliers over in Europe..
do you think it makes more sense for him to just bake the shipping costs right into the invoice, or should I just settle up here once it actually shows up at my door?

I wouldn't claim to be an expert on that specific matter... You might find better answers by consulting someone who regularly imports goods from overseas, or perhaps a more specialized accountant who handles international trade. 🤷
As for myself, despite my frequent purchases, I am merely a private individual making immediate payments via PayPal.

Are they shipping this stuff by air—which would be insanely expensive—or is it coming via cargo ship?