Importing "personal" items from US - do they get taxed?

Hi all,

My parents are planning on selling their house in the next year and downsizing. There is lots of stuff in their house that belongs to me, and other stuff which they own but technically belongs to me because they "gave" it to me (informally) several years ago but have held onto it until we get a house here.

For example, one such item is a solid mahogany dining table plus chairs.

Shipping costs for the thing aside, would I have to pay import duty on it?

Would I have to pay  import duty on things that are definitely mine from my youth?

Thanks!

As far as I know you do not have to pay import taxes on any personal items if they have been purchased more than 6 months before you bring them into the UK, so you should be just fine.

I forgot I wrote this post, thanks for the reply! I will have a lot of childhood stuff to move.

Has anybody been asked for proof of receipts with their main shipment?  I keep receipts now but not from before I decided to prep for moving to the UK.

I wasn't asked for proof of ownership of any of the items, although I wasn't moving much electronic/expensive stuff. I believe I did have to sign something saying I'd owned everything for over 6 months.

This was when I moved my stuff over 2.5 years ago.

Hubby was not asked for any receipts.  Do you have items newer than 6 months?

I think this is like taking anything else through customs: you self-declare and most of the time, the agents just take your word for it unless there's a random check or your declaration raises flags ("Twenty five computer monitors? New in box? For personal use, you say?")

@LuckyCuz: Not much new besides a laptop. 

Just wondering because most old electronics look new.  Don't really know how to show that they are old w/o receipts.  But if they are relaxed about it, then all should be fine. 

@LuckyCuz: Not much new besides a laptop. 

Just wondering because most old electronics look new.  Don't really know how to show that they are old w/o receipts.  But if they are relaxed about it, then all should be fine. 

My hubby had a new laptop ( 1 month old ) before he came over and he did not have a receipt for it.  He did however bring it in his hand luggage anyway.  Might be a option for you.

They are not that over zealous on it to be honest.  I wouldn't worry yourself over it.  Very hard to decide if something is under 6 months old anyway 

@LuckyCuz: Not much new besides a laptop. 

Just wondering because most old electronics look new.  Don't really know how to show that they are old w/o receipts.  But if they are relaxed about it, then all should be fine. 

We came over in November and brought some electronics, including a brand new laptop.  The laptop was a non-issue because it came in my hand luggage and wasn't checked. 

The stuff that was shipped separately by our movers had to have a list of electronics and their serial numbers.  Customs can tell how old(-ish) electronics are by the serial number, although I suspect it might be a little bit fuzzy because there's nothing to prevent someone from buying an older model more recently.

Other than the laptop, we didn't have anything newer than 6 months, didn't have receipts for anything at all, and didn't run into any problems. 

Is there not a limitation of what you can import tax-free in regards to when you can do it? I thought there might be a 1 year window after moving that you could import your personal belongings tax-free. But, I could be very mistaken about this!!