If by "safe", you mean "safe for you", then I would not use PayPal. It's very convenient for both parties, but for many international transactions, protection for the seller is sorely lacking.

That said, I've accepted PayPal a number of times for international transactions without yet getting burned - but I knew the risks involved, and in many cases, had good reason to believe that the buyers were on the up-and-up. If I had concerns, especially about a high-dollar item, then I'd see if the buyer were willing to use a wire transfer. I've never used an escrow service, but that might be an option, too.

Go to the discussion boards on eBay. Don't just believe everything you read there, but there are folks who know all about this sort of thing. Find them.