Shipping personal item back from the US: How to avoid VAT and customs

pred02

Hi,
I was due to travel to the US, however due to COVID my plans got cancelled. There I was going to pick up an old computer part of mine to bring back. Now I need to get my parents to mail it to me. The item has value so I need to insure it. How do should I declare it so it does not get caught up with customs and VAT? 
Thanks

sheramber

https://www.gov.uk/goods-sent-from-abroad

Thrugelmir

The insurance value will determine the import duties you are levied. Impossible to avoid. 

pred02

Thanks. If I mark as personal item is it then possible to avoid?

Cook_County

pred02 said:

Thanks. If I mark as personal item is it then possible to avoid?

Tax evasion is a criminal offence. 

uknick

Out of interest, when and where was it purchased, USA or UK, and what is its value?

If you've already owned the part for some years and it just happens to be sitting in the USA, I don't see any problem with showing it as personal items.  However, if you only just bought it, you might be on thin ice as it could be seen as a new purchase being imported.  

pred02

Bought it 3 years ago in the US. It now has a value of about $500.

custardy

If its not urgent then I would be leaving it for now.
I expect customs backlogs to be hitting soon.
The longer it sits in the transit,the more chance if issues