In Reply to: Someone told me last week that they posted by TnT on Saturday, 27. September 2008 at 14:24 Bali Time:
Also since March 2007 if you are over the limit in either alcohol or tobacco duty is charged on all goods in that category - not just the quantity over the allowance.
I would say he is lucky it was just taken from him.
We are assuming he also had the duty free allowance unopened and over and above what was in the suitcase.