Import duty/VAT on return of lost ipad from USA

I went on holiday to the USA in May and left my personal ipad (value approx. £500) in an AirBnB. The owner returned it to me via the United States Postal Service. I was required to pay UK import duty and VAT of £89.60 (via Parcelforce) to release it from UK Customs. Is it correct to pay import duty and VAT in this scenario? (i.e. return of lost personal items - not a gift or a purchase). Or can a refund be claimed? Clearly if I hadn't have lost it, I would have brought it home on my flight and not been charged import duty.

Hi.
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