I've been Charged VAT on my own items

So the day before I left the US, I put together 2 boxes of items that I had been using up until that day. They consisted of some kitchen organizer items, shoes, a wool comforter/duvet, and other general household items (I can't remember all of it off the top of my head). On the address label, the To/From address were both in my name. I've just received a notice from Parcel Force that I'm being charged £32 in Import VAT. I don't know if this is for one box or for both. It says I cannot fight this. If I don't pay, my items will be returned back to my mother's address in the US. It goes on to say that I could request a refund. What are my chances of actually getting a refund given I have just moved here?

This really pisses me off to no end. Back in June I sent my husband our used cookware set that is valued at around $600, but we were charged no VAT and now we are being charged VAT on used items?? :-///

Hey Bluegrass, I'm sorry this happened to you how frustrating! I found this link hope it helps. http://www.ukimports.org/uk_customs_procedures_personal_effects_belongings_form_c3.html

You have to mark on the customs label for the parcel that you are sending used items or VAT is generally charged.

My mother actually sent this off, so I didn't get to see the actual customs form, but I'm pretty sure she marked it as 'used' which is why I don't understand why we were charged. Plus it's obvious that some of the items are used due to the wear and tear showing on them.

My mother actually sent this off, so I didn't get to see the actual customs form, but I'm pretty sure she marked it as 'used' which is why I don't understand why we were charged. Plus it's obvious that some of the items are used due to the wear and tear showing on them.

The customs form should be attached to the box so that UK customs can see what you have said is inside it without opening it up.

I would imagine that they don't open packages or boxes to see what is inside unless they are suspicious that what is declared on the customs form is false (i.e. if there may be drugs or other illegal items inside).

I know how to attach the customs form to a box and my mother knows how as well. (OH and I have been sending things to my in-laws for years now) She owns an online business and ships orders to the UK all the time, so I don't think the customs form was the problem.

I've not been able to find out if I can get a refund on this import VAT or not. That's really what I'm trying to research.

Plus it's obvious that some of the items are used due to the wear and tear showing on them.

How would they know that if they don't open the box?  I always put on the customs form "used personal ?(whatever it is)" I have been charged vat for some used items as well, but it was because the customs label wasn't clearly marked as used items.  Also, sometimes people think that the value should be whatever the item cost for insurance purposes.  But that value is only used for determining the vat.

How would they know that if they don't open the box?

They usually do open the box. I personally think they're crooks (lol) but obviously it's business! I was charged an additional £30 for stuff I bought from America which was a wake up call for me when ordering new. But I would definitely fight it.

They usually do open the box.

Not that I doubt you have had boxes open, but I have a hard time believing that they usually open packages.  That would be a MASSIVE job.  I'm pretty sure they only open suspect packages and that's after they scan them first to verify their suspicions.  I know none of my boxes have ever been opened and I have had loads of stuff posted to me.

I had the shock of being charged VAT on the eight boxes I shipped over. Well, I had them ready and mom shipped them once I got here. I fought it, telling them it was all my belongings and I was just moving house after relocating countries. I was told there was a form I should have filled out explaining things were mine and I was moving house and it would have avoided the problem. I was told that without that form, they just assume you ordered things from another country and are possibly intending to sell them.

When I asked at the post office (US) before getting the boxes ready for mom to ship, the person behind the counter didn't tell me that fact, or I would have.

It took a few weeks and several phone calls, plus some letters explaining that it was my junk that I wanted to have here with me, they removed the VAT charges and gave it all to me.

I doubt that the US post offices would be au fait with VAT assessed here by HM Revenue & Customs & the procedures for its exemption.  When I shipped my stuff over here from a storage unit in the US, I filled out the C3 form from the link that LittleMissSarcasm put up earlier - but I researched that on my own.

I filled out the C3 form for all of the items I shipped with our moving company. These 2 boxes were items that I wanted to have on me up til the last minute, & I wound up not being able to fit into my suitcases (given a 50# weight limit) so I decided to ship them instead. I had shipped a few other things over prior to this and didn't include a C3, so I figured it would be ok to ship this way again without the form. My mistake I suppose. It looks like I have no choice but to go through with paying the VAT, and then figure out how I can get the refund.

The frustrating thing is, I keep calling the phone number on the notice and the message says "all operators are busy, call back later" and it hangs up..not even allowing me to wait on the phone. So in just trying to get info on how to get a refund is proving to be a major PITA.

Not that I doubt you have had boxes open, but I have a hard time believing that they usually open packages.  That would be a MASSIVE job.  I'm pretty sure they only open suspect packages and that's after they scan them first to verify their suspicions.  I know none of my boxes have ever been opened and I have had loads of stuff posted to me.

If one of my boxes WASN'T open, I'd be surprised. Lol. I'm so used to it now, it doesn't phase me anymore.

I may have figured out the reason for the VAT charges. My parcels were delivered yesterday, and I noticed my mother used different address labels than the ones I printed out for her to use. She printed out her own labels from Stamps.com (she has an account w/them due to her business) and instead of my name in the "To", it was hers. Her name is the default for her account, and I guess she forgot about changing it. I wonder how I might fight this and get a refund now.   

Why does it matter who the package came from, though?