Hi All,
Thought I'd let you know in case you are thinking of sending or want to receive shipment of your rod within Europe. I am using these guys
UK, European and Worldwide Courier services | Online quotes for parcel delivery and express pallet delivery services

The price to ship my cane rod from Gary (Bbamboo) to the Netherlands was approx 14 quid considering cheapest with royal mail was around 47 quid. The broker used DPD which I have used before.

Well 14 quid is certainly good value. As for Royal Mail, I've sent rods to Switzerland and Spain recently by Royal Mail AirSure, registered and insured, and both have been £16