As others have said there does indeed seem to be an element of luck involved.

I can confirm that it is similar for at least Belgium, Sometimes you get lucky sometimes you have to pay extra. Although I think, the last couple of months customs is more active since Brexit and new rules with regards to VAT.

I got caught by this twice over the last few years so I don’t bother getting anything from SM. I try and source in England, Europe (may now prove difficult!) or make my own tools if I can.

Yeah same here, sometimes I do order from SM, as I still have the membership, so at least shipping is cheap :-D

Just incase anyone is interested...... 

ooh at that price.. very tempting

https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/tools-by-job/tools-for-binding/binding-router-guide.html 

🙂🎸🎶🙏

I guess there's a degree of luck involved as to whether the customs officer dealing with your package can be bothered to chase after small amounts of VAT.

I got caught by this twice over the last few years so I don’t bother getting anything from SM. I try and source in England, Europe (may now prove difficult!) or make my own tools if I can.

Sadly problems with buying and selling from Europe were all predictable to people who had experience and knew how the system worked but politicians glossed over the truth because they are never concerned with details only policy.