Customs Canadian customs and Denver Doll and Mint on Card?

Yep, you're more likely to get hit by customs by any items coming from the US that's marked as "merchandise" as both DDE and MOC practice (this has always happened to me T_T). The wait time is longer as well since the company has to ship to them first, and then they ship to you. In a couple of Waiting Rooms I've been watching, the doll company forgot to make their doll when they've ordered through one of these dealers, so that means that the wait time just got even longer for them. In such cases, I myself would prefer to just buy straight from the company.

I've ordered from MOC before, and they do have a couple of shipping options for items bound for Canada. You can do a mock order by putting items in a cart and then checking to see the shipping choices.

Haven't ordered from DDE so I can't comment on what shipping they offer, although it would probably be best if you contact them directly and ask what shipping methods they offer for Canada.

 

I got a package through DDE and they ship via USPS (I THINK, i asked for a flat rate box if it was cheaper.) The box was for about 80 dollars worth of stuff and I didn't get hit by customs at all - although it was a TINY box with a DZ momo in it so it could fit in my post box. It arrived only a few days ago.

 

All of my dolls I have purchased through DDE, and I can't speak about customs fees as I have always picked them up in person.
But I will say that, when it comes to timely shipping, it's about 50/50 and I think it depends more on the company that you're ordering from than actually going through DDE. My dollies from Peakswoods and Dollzone both came before my layaway was even up, so that was nice.
However, my dollies from Angell-Studio and Charles Creature Cabinet took a VERY long time (as in, over 6 months if I remember correctly). Immediately after I placed my orders, DDE stopped carrying both of those makers, so maybe I'm just bad luck (:

 

I have ordered from DDE. OF course I haven't received my shipment yet, but I ordered using EMS which cost 60$. I've ordered from the U.S before where it said "MERCHANDISE" and I never got custom fees.

 

In my experience customs fees are hit and miss. I have purchased from DDE and didn't have customs fees, I've purchased from individuals and the package has been marked gift and I've paid customs fees. I think that it depends on the day, the person checking the package and so on. I bought three bjds in the past couple of months and all came from the US, I paid duty on the first one, no duty on the second one and paid duty again on the third one and they all came through different provinces and from different individuals. The fees consist of your province's taxes (ON GST/HST) and a handling fee (usually $8.50). I really don't understand why we pay duty on a second hand doll but there you have it.