Anyone ever ship rod/rods to New Zealand? I have a request from someone living in New Zealand for trolling rods. I checked with the post office and looks like a 5# PVC 4" in diameter and 60" long would run over $85. Any better ideas? Anybody have a container heading that way?LOL

I have been regularly shipping rods to a customer in Moscow Russia. I use three inch "sewer and drain" pipe. It's a lighter grade PVC but still has a 3000 pound crush rating. I Use USPS Express Mail Service for the fastest times and best rates. It cost me from $60.00 to $85.00 to ship a tube to Moscow so your price estimate is about right.

Be sure to a plastic end cap secured with tape. Tape only. That way of customs (in either country) wants to inspect the content they don't have to cut the tube.

Is there any issues with shipping and customs?

Tony,
You should be able to find the New Zeland customs on the internet.
Be sure to check for customs charges. It is not uncommon for some countries to charge nearly as much for customs charges, as what the product is worth.

If you can't check, have your client in New Zeland check so that there is no misunderstanding on the overall cost.

It is not that uncommon - when shipping rods - that you could easily encounter $200 total charges between shipping and customes, and taxes.

Roger

Here is the New Zeland Customs web site:

[www.customs.govt.nz]

Check it carefully, and be sure that you research and are absolutely sure on the total charges that your fishing rod and tube might encounter on their way to your client:

Roger

Thanks for the information. This may not be worth the headache. Maybe three or four, mid range rods. Anyone build rods in New Zealand? I would be happy to give you the referral.

The post office will have the customs form you need to complete. There is no fee to export an item. You do have to declare the value of the product and the person receiving the item will usually have to pay an importation tax on that value. This is not politically correct but US Customs could care less what you list as the value of the item as the US Government doesn't profit from it. Your customer can however face sanctions in his country if it is determined that there is an attempt to evade the tax. Most customs officials, regardless of the county, are smart enough to realize a custom made and personalized fishing rod from the United States is not going to cost $12.99.

I would stick with Fedex or UPS, they can ring the customer with the import fee plus their clearance,he hands over his credit card number and is done.Way too may potential complications with the post, tracking can be patchy unless you use EMS and he will have too arrange his own clearance.

I don't know about New Zealand rod builders but there are a zillion builders in Australia. One of them would probably appreciate the business. Shipping wouldn't be near as much for them. Trolling rods would be no problem at all because they build them all the time.

I am open to any Australian or other builder that wants this business. Just get ahold of me and I will give your the contact information. This whole thing seems very cost prohibitive from the US, but I would still like to see this customer taken care of. Thanks for the info guys.