Checking sealed wooden box on plane
 

Hi all. I'm flying from Nairobi to London via Brussels and bought a piece of glass artwork that was delivered to me in a big wooden box (nailed shut). I've never tried to travel with anything like this.

Will I be able to check this in? Does anyone know if there will be customs duties to pay? Or will they need to open it beyond an xray? I'm worried this wasn't the brightest decision.

Thanks in advance for any tips :-::-:

http://imgur.com/TsNHGCe

how big is it? It doesn't look that sturdy; I'd consider asking an airfreight company.

I'm not sure exactly, but think the longest side is about 80cm (maybe 75). I've never used air freight. How does one go about doing that?

Thanks.

Ah, seemed bigger in the picture. I might just ask Fedex or UPS in Nairobi (though of course they'd be expensive).

How big is the actual object? can you remove it and carry it on? I bought a fairly big painting on wood in France (about four feet long) and carried it home on three flights. Took a bit of sweet talking of airline/security folks (and scowling at folks with designs on my overhead), but it's happily on my wall.

It's probably just a bit too big for an overhead; and has these cool - but annoying to transport - glass wings (it is a glass preying mantis from Kitengela glass studios). I just don't think they'd let me on board with that: especially on the Brussels - London leg, which will be a smaller plane.

I did an online quote with Fedex and it was over $1000 :( - which would make me just leave it here; and I couldn't really spend that sort of cash on this.