I am currently purchasing some components to build my first spey fly rod. I ordered guides that cost about $80(approx. £40), with postage on the top of about $18(approx. £9).
I expected to pay the standard VAT which was charged upon arrival of my goods at the UK. However, I was seething at the fact that I also had to pay an £8 clearance fee to Parcel Force(Royal Mail). They informed me that it was an administrative cost of theirs to clear my package through customs.

Anyway, without digressing further, do any UK rod builders know a way around this clearance fee?

I only build rods for my own use and, therefore, order my components in small amounts. I do not want to pay an £8 charge every time I order something.

Thank you in anticipation.

Gary.

In a word - No.
I suppose a few of us who are UK based could pool our orders.
If I only have a small order, I ask the supplier to send by standard USPS parcel post - this is at my risk, is cheaper and I havn't had anything go astray so far.

Gary,

I have e-mailed you regarding this matter.

Dave.

Gary,

afraid your stuck with it. A guide when ordering from USA to UK (I`ve been doing it for years) is read the $ price as £'s and then subtract 20%. That normally leaves you erring on the good side by a pound or two and takes into account VAT & clearance fees.

Obviously you have to check fluctuations in the exchange rate but at the moment good old Mr. Bush must be getting his sums wrong somewhere. It's $1.71 to the pound so I would suggest you get in quick and order up enough for the next ten Spey casting rods.

Regards Stan

Gary,

this aint a dodge or illegal in any way but If you can, try to place your orders towards the end of a month or around a holiday time (UK that is). Christmas is great. The influx of parcels and flights into UK is such that a lot of the time they just come through without customs duty or VAT being levied. So over a year on a lot of orders it's swings & roundabouts.

Stan

Thank you all.

Gary.