Shipping American Girl Doll to Canada - fees?

[Tiger926]

We bought our daughter a knock off American Girl doll from Sears, which she adores, but after 4 days, it's already come apart as it's cheaply made. This is a child who in 4 years has never broken a toy - she is very gentle with her stuff, so the quality of this doll is at issue.

We just went on American Girl Doll website, and they do ship to Canada, but they have no way of knowing how much duties/fees are going to be (we can figure out taxes on our own). We thought these dolls were made in U.S.A., but of course, they are made overseas in China

The Canadian Maplelea dolls just don't look good at all, but the lifetime warranty of the American Girl Dolls is really a good selling feature for us. The problem is that we now have to take back my daughter's dolly, and she will be without a doll until end of April when we are at Disney World and can have it shipped there, so we were considering ordering her a doll now, but we are afraid that the fees are going to be astronomical. I tried searching on Customs website, but can't find the info. American Girl uses UPS to ship, which I think charges outrageous brokerage fees from what I've read.

Does anyone know how to find out how much it would cost to ship the doll here to Ontario? Has anyone shipped a doll and knows the total cost of all fees?

Thanks, Tiger

 

[SandraC]

My dd has a Canadian Maplelea and it's lovely. She added clothing to her collection too. A little expensive, but awesome quality. S

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

My daughter is heavily into AG dolls. The duty on them is usually around $16.50. Not too bad at all. They come to the post office, not UPS, so there are no brokerage fees.

They are a great investment and gorgeous dolls! She has 4 of them so far and tons of clothes.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

Is it me, or do the Maplelea dolls have this weird 'surprised' look on their faces? LOL

 

[Tiger926]

My daughter is heavily into AG dolls. The duty on them is usually around $16.50. Not too bad at all. They come to the post office, not UPS, so there are no brokerage fees.

They are a great investment and gorgeous dolls! She has 4 of them so far and tons of clothes.

That's all? When I called American Girl today, they said they use UPS because they need to be tracked at the border - $16.50 isn't bad at all. Have you ordered recently? What shipping option do you choose from American Girl?

The Maplelea dolls do have a unique expression - DH and I aren't really sure what to make of it!

Thanks to you both for the info, Tiger

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

We just used the regular and cheapest shipping option. My mom ordered Nicki in early December and she arrived about 9 days later, and was $16.50 owing!

 

[Tiger926]

We just used the regular and cheapest shipping option. My mom ordered Nicki in early December and she arrived about 9 days later, and was $16.50 owing!

Thanks very much. I misunderstood her when I called yesterday about using UPS. Canadians have to pay an additional $10.00 to American Girl over and above their shipping fees, so I put a doll in my cart yesterday, and it was approx. $20.95 shipping ($10.95 for U.S. and additional $10.00 to Canada), plus the $16.50.

Thanks very much, Tiger

 

[pxlbarrel]

Be careful. If they said they're using UPS, then you may get hit with the brokerage charges. If they're sending it by USPS (the post office) then you won't. In terms of the Canadian government, you should only get hit by provincial sales tax and GST. Dolls, even from china, are duty free. I import action figures from the States and they're all made in China.

You just need to be careful about the way it's sent. AND UPS brokerage is set to go up 3.5% on January 2nd. Doublecheck how it's being sent.

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

I know for sure that AG does NOT use UPS unless you get it xpressed to you. You are safe using the regular shipping!

 

[Tiger926]

Thanks, Tiger

 

[paperracer]

There are no duties on any toys from anywhere. But you still have to pay the taxes plus brokerage fees if you use ups. USPS uses there regular letter postage fees to offset the cost of brokerage so that's why they have no brokerage charges.

 

[stashf]

I just ordered a bunch of stuff over nov/dec and they do ship USPS no brokerage charges. Last year I ordered Nikki and her whole starter kit - I find the shipping etc very reasonable compared to other stuff I've ordered. I mean Disney Direct charges you 40-45 just to ship and they you also get hit with brokerage and duty! The AG stuff is so well made and so beautiful, we are thinking of getting our 2nd doll.

Stacey

 

[Tiger926]

I just ordered a bunch of stuff over nov/dec and they do ship USPS no brokerage charges. Last year I ordered Nikki and her whole starter kit - I find the shipping etc very reasonable compared to other stuff I've ordered. I mean Disney Direct charges you 40-45 just to ship and they you also get hit with brokerage and duty! The AG stuff is so well made and so beautiful, we are thinking of getting our 2nd doll.

Stacey

Thanks very much! Glad I started this thread - lots of great info.

Tiger

 

[Lollipop's Mom]

They are gorgeous dolls aren't they?
My daughter has Elizabeth, Kit, Nicki & Samantha.
I was actually thinking of buying Mia and having her shipped to the resort this week, but afraid to chance it. It might never end up in MY hands, but will show delivered on any postal receipts. I would be too afraid that 'someone' would get their hands on it before it got to our room.

 

[karenfromcanada]

I have ordered from AG before and they have always sent by Canada Post. Upon arrival at the post office I have had to pay PST, GST and a $5 or $10 GST administration charge. All of this is in addition to the AG shipping fee, plus the AG $10 surcharge for shipping to Canada.

The shipping fee for Maplelea Girls is only $9 for any size of order going anywhere in Canada, even for that big, heavy new wardrobe. You have to pay GST on Maplelea, but surprisinginly you only have to pay PST if you are in Ontario. All other provinces only pay GST (except those in the "N" provinces which have HST, of course.)

The Maplelea dolls are every bit as nice, and as high quality as AG. In fact, I think they are prettier. What Maplelea probably needs the most is a better photographer as their photos do not do them justice. Maplelea Girls are sculpted slightly different from AG so that the bodies are more like a 10 or 11 year old girl. (I find the chubby AG arms and legs too much like a 5 or 6 year old.) Also, the Maplelea doll hands are beautifully sculpted and can actually hold objects because of the position of the fingers. Maplelea dolls also come in a beautiful keepsake storage box, not a throw-away one like AG.

Maplelea dolls also have the advantage of coming with a story journal, and with every outfit you get more pages for the journal. It is a fun way for your daughter to learn about Canada, and there is a place where she can write in her own story. I guess I am just a proud Canadian and I love supporting Canadian artists, writers, designers, etc.