I bought a trombone from this seller last year, and it was free shipping. It arrived damaged (FedEx) and the seller was great about refunding my money and handling the return through FedEx. I got the impression that he sells a bunch of instruments, so the shipping thing is surprising. Then again, I've never FedExed a tuba (I did use them to ship a trombone last year and it cost over $70 just for shipping) so if he has some exclusive deal with them, maybe that price is right.
Must be distance-dependent. I'm in IL, so much closer, thus the shipping cost I saw was "only" $200. Hopefully the person who bought it lived like 15 miles from the seller.