Shipping furniture for personal use from Italy to UK

Hi -- eight years ago we bought a table and some chairs when we lived in the US. We paid California sales tax on them at the time of purchase. We shipped them to Italy when we moved here a year ago, but they don't work in our place there and we want to ship them to our flat in the UK. When we bought them they cost about £2000, but (according to online second hand furniture sites) their second hand value is about £1000. Will we have to pay any duty or VAT? Thank you!

Yes it’s likely that UK import VAT is due on the current value. Payment of taxes to other countries is not relevant to whether taxes are due in the UK.

Hi,
Anything posted or couriered to you from another country goes through customs to check it is not banned or restricted and you pay the right tax and ‘duty’ on it.
This includes anything new or used that you:
•    buy online
•    buy abroad and send back to the UK
•    receive as a gift
Please check below link for more guidance.
Tax and customs for goods sent from abroad
Thank you

we are planning to move to the UK from outside the EU. I understand about the Transfer of Residence relief from customs/duty. However, we have wood furniture that we will bring with us for use in our home. Are there any restrictions or regulations regarding wood furniture for personal use?

Hi david comite,
As per TOR relief guidance, you can claim relief on any personal property intended for your use or for meeting your household needs.
This includes:
•    household effects, personal effects, household linen, furnishings and any equipment intended for your personal use or for use within your household
•    cycles, motor cycles, private motor vehicles (and their trailers), camping caravans, pleasure craft and private aircraft
•    household provisions necessary for normal family requirements, household pets and saddle animals
•    portable instruments of the applied or liberal arts required by you for your trade or profession
Transfer of residence to the UK
Thank you.