Import query for a business

I recently imported a couple books of notebooks and diaries from Asia. My plan was to sell them at a market. The post office rang me to say that customs are trying to work out if I'm a trader or not. I was always planning to declare all my sales but my question is have I brought them in the right way? Do traders have to go through a different channel? I simply thought I could bring them, sell them and declare my sales. I put them through my name because the business was not setup yet. To be honest I didn't even have a name for the company.

Most items coming from outside the EU will have Vat at the point of entry and customs duty (to the extent that it is liable to customs duty). There may be a small exemption (€50 I think) but this may be for consumers. If you pay vat at the point of entry you can claim in back on your Vat 3. Customs duty is your expense.

You can either operate as a company or a sole trader (i.e. individual).