You end up financially ahead if nothing goes wrong.
However, if the product is defective or damaged, then it will end up costing you untold $$$ and time.
Ordered a Schuberth from Italy. It was easily $250 cheaper than buying it locally, even after shipping and duty.
Helmet arrived and the flip-up locking mechanism jammed the first time I tried it on.
After many e-mails back and forth with pictures and videos to prove it was really broken and not user-error, I sent it back to Italy at my cost. Took two weeks to get there at the cheapest courier option.
Italian shop didn't send me a replacement, but instead forwarded the helmet to Schuberth in Germany to get fixed. That took another month.
When it was repaired, the Italian shop wanted me to pay for shipping again, and it was a big battle for them to pick up the tab. Thankfully, it was done via eBay so at least eBay had my back on this.
Italian shop resent me the helmet but didn't specify on the packing slip that it was a replacement, so I was charged duty a second time. I had to get all my documentation and receipts from the credit card company to request a refund from CRA. That took another month, and a lot of effort on my part.
In the end, I barely broke even if I had ordered locally. And it took nearly two months for me to get my helmet. And to top it off, it's not fixed 100% either. The locking mechanism is sticky and not as good as my last Schuberth. But f*ck me if I'm going to go through the warranty process again!
I've ordered many things from the US and Europe. Most times it goes smoothly and you end up saving a lot of money. But once in a while the process ends up costing you more in terms of time and frustration.