Please help RE: Post from US to UK

I hope this is in the right forum. Last week I got a package from my Mum in Los Angeles. I ended up having to pay £25 VAT (well 17 vat and 8 from stinkin' Parcel Force). It literally consisted of: my old raincoat, 3 boxes of girlscout cookies, 4 packets of ranch dressing mix, and three letters sent to her house. She sent it priority mail from US so it ended up costing well over what the contents were. 

Anyway, now suddenly, I need her to send over a couple of artworks I left at her house (they are mine as in I did them). They are small, but a bit heavy. I was wondering how I should have her declare them? The value and such?

Also do you have good advice on avoiding VAT+other charges on care packages and stuff in general? I mean she sent food-type gifts valuing about $10 and since my coat was my coat that I already bought two years ago, and not a gift, I dont think it should qualify for VAT (even still it was maybe $60USD).

Thanks!

suedehead - that stinks! It goes by what value she put on it.
I thought there was a form where you could send stuff as second ahnd for moving purposes but for some reason it is escaping me but I am sure someone will come along.

If I understand it correctly, you shouldn't have to pay VAT on any of your own belongings or on new goods worth less than £18.

In 2008, I shipped 2 boxes of personal belongings (books, papers, clothes) and a bicycle (in 2 boxes) from the US back to my address in the UK. The contents of the boxes were worth about $500 in total and shipping cost me $400 for all 4 boxes. I didn't have to pay any VAT on them as they were my own belongings (and I stated as much on the customs forms).

However, once I ordered a US DVD boxset from Amazon.com... it was worth more than £18, so I got stuck paying VAT on it because it was a newly purchased item being shipped from a US company (in Amazon packaging).

I always wrote "previously owned personal items" on the customs form and put the value at about $25.  Never was charged VAT.

brilliant, thanks for the advice!