as crazy as it may sound, and as $$$ as it may get to be for shipping, those nutty Japanese people LOVE American-esche stuff and SOME will pay obscene amounts of $$$ to add to their collections.
you might want to check it out...it could mean some big big dollahs
i had an ex (a million years ago) who did some modeling in Japan. He was also a surfer and has his board with him while over there on a big job. one of the ceo's of the ad firm they were doing the shoot for thought that was sooo cool, and wanted his board (not A board, Robert's board). Robert did NOT want to sell it, but oh, Lordy, he eventually did and was able to buy WAY more than a couple boards when he got back to Hawaii.
i'm just sayin'...
i know, it's a pain in the neck, but...I'D check into it, if i were you. you never know...