Yum-yum has been nice enough to consolidate a whole lotta ponies that I've bought from various Dutch collectors over the last several months.  I'm definitely getting tracking for the package, and it's going to be expensive enough that I think it's worth insuring.  Will that mean that I'll be hit with a big ol' duty fee?  Does anyone know how this works from experience?
 
I actually called US Customs with my questions.  They weren't sure if there would be a duty fee for toys like this, but they seemed to think that, even if there was one, it wouldn't be insanely expensive.  Even a $50 fee wouldn't upset me tooooooo much, but I really hope it won't be more than that.
 
What's in this awesome package, you're wondering?  Some pretty good stuff:  MOC G2 Copper Glow, MOC G2 Prince Firefly, MOC G2 Lady Elegant, lavender Woosie, Dad Berrytown, 4 Dutch ponies, and numerous other ponies and items.  So, yeah, I definitely don't want this package to get lost or damaged.
 
I also asked Customs if there was anything I could do to prevent the ponies from being damaged in case the box was opened for inspection (remembering past horror stories I've heard, including the recent ones about Venezuelans).  They didn't seem to have any advice other than to file a claim against damages if they were ripped apart.  But I also asked if it would help if I wrote a note explaining that they were vintage toys and asking them not to damage the items; they said it might help.
 
Does anyone else have any other advice about getting international package safely though Customs?  And preferably without spending more than necessary?
 
And should I declare the full value of the items in case I do need to file a claim?
 
Thanks everyone!  And a big thanks to yum-yum for consolidating this package for me!

Search UK Ebay for "dog tooth like My Little Pony" and see what I mean.  People will try to sell anything!

There's a G3 Euro Breezie Willow Wisp that I'm thinking of buying.  (She's yellow, if that helps you figure out which one I'm talking about.)  She has a pretty noticable head-body mismatch.  Normally I pass on ponies with faults like that, but I know it's actually normal for some ponies.  I don't want to say "I'll wait for a better one" if a perfect speciman doesn't exist.  So is it normal for this pony to have a head-body mismatch?

I'm pretty sure that this is the lace ribbon from Baby Princess Sparkle.  Can you guys help me confirm?  Thanks!  I have this playset from my childhood collection (in storage) and don't need it, so it will be available for sale or trade for another HTF accessory.
 
OK, I can't get this to work.  I have the images in my photobucket album.  I can even see the thumbnails in the "attachments" section of my post.  What do I have to do to get them to upload in the thread?

OK, after much hand holding and help from members on the shoutbox, I'm finally getting pics.  Here we go:


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I just won her, and she looks to be in great condition.  She has a forelock that looks factory-cut; it's about the right length and thickness.  But some Mexi's have forelocks and some don't, and I can't tell from other gallery images if it's really supposed to be there or not.

So I've gotten some really nice So Soft ponies lately with great flocking, like a barely-played-with Bouncy and a display-only Twilight.      But Bouncy still has some light surface dust/dirt, and Twilight has some dirty patches from who-knows-where (looks like maybe some dirt got into her bubble before she was decarded).  So are there any suggestions for cleaning them?  I don't want to just grind the dirt/dust in farther.  (Bouncy especially looks like the dust is just on the outer tips of her fuzz, while Twilight's looks like it goes in deeper.)  I don't want to immerse either of them in water; I think that causes flocking to sort of roll up into little balls of fuzz.  And they've got great original curl (I don't think Twilight has ever really been brushed), so I don't want to touch it or get it wet.

Is Brazil Shady about the same color as UK NSS Shady, the same bright magenta pink?  Or is Brazil Shady more orangish?  (Maybe she often fades to orangish?)  Thanks!