Why not just order a travel rod from Europe? If you are buying something in $200 range, you may pay $40-50 in shipping. But you are not paying any European taxes. So your out-of pocket cost ordered from Europe online and shipped to US would be about the same as buying the same rod in a store in Europe. With some high-end rods and reels (that are available here) you may actually save money having them shipped from Europe. This opens up a whole world of travel rods. Perhaps way more than most would want to consider.