Importing From the US...anyone have any experience with customs fees or shipping?

I didn't know that about TPE and latex, duly noted and thank you 🙂

I too really like the “normal” looking heads rather than the hyper glamorous more stylized appearance that many dolls have. Starpery have a good selection. Also quite a few manufacturers now make closed eyes heads and heads with closeable eyes which look quite realistic, I am not sure how soft they are though as they may be mostly in hard Silicone. Coeros and several manufacturers also offer a custom head design service where they work from photos. You could get a custom silicone head to your design and put in on a Valentina body for the lighter weight, warmth and cuddle factor.

TPE destroys latex. I had a strapless bra on my Jyoti with a latex rubber backing. The latex just grumbled away after only a few days. Didn't hurt the TPE though.

You can buy us VGs with closeable eyelids (I have them) or even have them made with permanently closed eyes.
I honestly think your best option, Jool, based on everything you’ve said so far, might be to buy one of us?

Valentinas look very sweet with their eyes closed.

There was a company called Textile doll, but i dont know if they still exsist.
Cloud Climax seemed to sell them, but you are talking about two thousand pounds.

They have a very realistic head and fabric stocking like body. I cant find their website online though, but they are more human looking than VG or TeddyBabes and will still be cuddly

I just bought up Textile dolls on my search engine and it took me to Cloud climax

Thank you for the advice everyone...just going to hold tight on this one I think until Christmas is out of the way...🎁😉

Pretty much all the doll companies have sales and offer large discounts around Christmas and new year so it’s a good time to buy.
I have often added a doll to my cart / basket as a daydream, then some time later out of the blue received a significant discount voucher if I wanted to purchase….. Many suppliers are struggling in the current climate so it’s a buyers market.

Don't wait too long after Christmas though because Chinese New Year shuts the entire country down for about six weeks from early February.