[ubercow13]

You can buy Sichuan pepper off the supermarket spice rack in the UK, it's not obscure at all. Pop one in your mouth and chew it and you will immediately notice the distinctive sensation. Are you sure you were looking for the right thing?

[GordonS]

It was obscure for a while here in the UK in recent times - as imports were banned due to some kind of plant disease.

Same thing has happened with curry leaves on multiple occasions too.