I'm planning to apply for the export license. The statue is too large to fit in a checked bag, so that wouldn't be an option anyway. The article in the Post references Buddha images; my statue isn't a Buddha image - it's a Burmese apsara or "nat." I'm not sure if that will make a difference where the age restriction is concerned. At any rate, if I'm denied a license, then I'll just have to find another way, I guess. I'm not going to let these jackals rob me of my personal possessions.