You can ship to Germany directly yourself using Priority Mail International (required for packages over 4lbs) and you can get the PMI commercial rate eBay (and others) offer, however...
Shipping outside the USA can come with complications and liability, especially Germany due to their new ridiculous packaging law (you have to register with the German government, pay them fees every year and register the cardboard boxes and the bubble wrap etc. you use.) I believe some other EU countries are considering similar legislation.
EIS takes care of all of that for you, and you are not liable if the item is lost or seized by customs in the destination country (if you mail it directly yourself, then you are held responsible for all of that). EIS shouldn't be much more than shipping Priority Mail International, and is well worth it for the liability protection and avoiding paperwork/registration headaches.
