Customs

I mentioned a few posts ago about bringing a case of wine back from Australia. Let me sum this up with a few numbers.

• Cost of case of Lancaster wine: ~$300
  
• Cost to package wine in a shippable container: $20
  
• Allowable weight on Qantas Airlines: 23 kg
• Weight of my suitcase: 23 kg
• Weight of case of wine: 16 kg
• Overweight baggage charge: 16 kg x $35/kg = $560 (freaking out on my part here)
• Helpful security guard to offered to buy the wine for $200: 1
• Amount of stressing and discussing: 1 1/2 hours
  
• Number of people we know on the same flight: ~40
• Number of families with small children on the flight whose last names I can spell: 3
• Number of those families who packed less than their allowable weight: 2
• Helpful check-in lady who said if we know other people on the flight she will check the wine under their name: 1
  
• Cases of wine on the plane: 2! (mine and Mike's)
  
• Cost to get excess wine through customs: 900 Yen (~$9)!!!! (Duty free allowance is only 3 bottles, I had 12)

Glenn and I will be enjoying this wine thoroughly when he gets home. Or maybe just I will because he was back on the ship when I was dealing with this. Glad it made it back though!