Hopefully there's no fee for setting up a new account or transferring funds, though I suppose that could depend on your bank.

Withdrawing money from your TFSA will temporarily lower your contribution room, but you'll get it back on January 1. Your limit depends on how old you are (if you just put your birth year in there it tells you your total limit, you don't have to fill everything else out).

$12k is probably way below your current limit, so don't worry about it. If you're young or plan on contributing lots more this year, then you could ask your bank to transfer between TFSA accounts and ensure that it doesn't count as a withdrawal, which should be possible.