okay - i can sum this one up. if a rod can be posted by EMS, it costs bugger all. From Japan, this works out to something like $30. On the other hand, if the rod cannot be posted by EMS, it then has to be sent by Fedex, DHL etc. the freight companies charge an absolute arm and a leg. The cost from Japan for this is something like $100.
I can't remember the length exactly but it is either 1.2 or 1.5m. What this basically means is that a jigging rod that has a detatchable butt will be able to be sent by EMS whereas a popping rod cannot.
This isn't where the story ends - unfortunately - and it gets worse. If a parcel is under $1,000 AUD in value and it comes in through the mail system, you pay no tax or duty. On the other hand, if it comes in by courier (Fedex and co), they will hit you for customs registration, customs duty, GST etc for anything that is more than $250 and believe it ot not, they include the value of the freight.
That is why I am saying that I am willing to organise the purchase of a number of the Caranx but I need enough numbers to make it worthwhile so we can spread the cost of the freight and duty among a few. Btw - I don't intend to make a red cent out of this nor am I getting one of these rods myself. I don;t need it!
Jay, I don't know whether you meant the rod would cost $250 to $350 SGD or the freight would. Neither seems correct to me. If you can get the rod for $250SGD, Simon must have robbed someone for the rod but if the frieght costs that much, he is robbing you!! Btw - he is a member here!!