VAT on my own stuff?!?

HI all, I recently had my mom send a package containing my husband's tools. These are well used tools, that we've had for over 4 years. We got a letter from customs stating we owed a £26 import VAT. We haven't called yet but can this be right? We bought these items a long time ago and most certainly already paid taxes on them. I'm worried that my mom may have marked it "gift" which would make sense. Will we be given an opportunity to show that it's not a gift? That these are used items that we already owned?

That stinks. I'm not sure if you be able to explain that the items are used, but hopefully someone else will come by who has a better idea.

However, in the future you should have such packages marked, "Used Personal Items" to avoid the duty.