VAT tax on Package sent to self

I don't know if this is the right place to post so please feel free to move this.

So we mailed our desktop computer (CPU only) to ourselves before we arrived.  We were not ready to put it in the shipping crates when then were packed and it did not fit in our luggage. 

Today I received a letter from the Parcel Force Worldwide that says our computer is waiting at a Depot and cannot be picked up until we pay a 59.09 VAT charge and a 8.00 Clearance Fee.  This is not a new computer, it is at least 5 years old.  We sent it because it has so many licenses for computer programs on it and it is set up for my husbands work.  While we did back up the documents it was not possible to back this all up so we wanted this computer here to be used. 

As this is part of our actual household goods and we are moving here permanently, I don't think we have to pay VAT.  We did not have to pay on the goods shipped.  We did fill out the customs forms when we mailed the computer and indicated that it was not a gift etc.

Before I call this number and start arguing my case, I wanted to make sure I am not way off. 

Thanks

i had a similar experience recently.  i was told to go to the website listed on the slip and download a form which lets you explain why you should not have been taxed, and you send this in along with the receipts and various other paperwork attached to your package and they will process a refund if they warrant it is justified.  i still need to look into doing this myself soon...

Yep, that's ParcelFarce for you.

That £8 handling fee really gets me. The Customs depot is right next to the ParcelForce depot IN THE SAME BUILDING.

They charge you £8 to move the box 6 feet.

Daylight robbery.

That £8 handling fee really gets me.

Yep, and it doesn't seem that long ago that they only charged a nominal £1 or something similar for collecting VAT & duty.    I only realized that the fee had increased to this level a couple of months ago when I got charged two £8 fees for two small packages each of which had only about £5 or less tax to pay.   

And to cap that, it seems that the postmen are now no longer allowed to collect the fees when they deliver, but instead you have the option of going to the Post Office to pay and collect, or paying through their online service which they say can take another week before the package is finally delivered.

And, they up it to £12 in December as a "premium" service that I NEVER BLOODY ASKED FOR 

And, they up it to £12 in December

It's going up again?!    

Only around Christmas. It goes down again in January, usually.

I run an online needlework shop and have been stung by that bad boy before. So, I don't place any wholesale orders from the states in Late November or December. £4 is no big deal on a $300 order, but it's the principle of the thing.