It is the standard VAT required to be collected by online platforms for all European imports into UK now that we are out of the EU. No different than buying from any non UK Amazon site. (edited)
If you order something from the US or China (for example) you'd also be charged the same UK 20% VAT at the point of sale. Ironically, if I remember correctly (though could be wrong) this was an EU directive that the UK chose to implement in 2020 while were were outside of the block and we did this a year before the EU.
Nothing to do with the EU, it's just what happens when a country imports goods that are not from within its financial borders. The government apply sales tax, ours is called VAT.
The UK is no longer in the EEA (European Economic Area) Single Market since leaving it, so VAT is collected on behalf of the country the goods are received at. In this case the UK taxman makes eBay collect the 20%
If you were to sell something on eBay to someone in Spain, their government would collect 21% IVA (VAT) via eBay.
Prior to leaving the EU you would not have been charged the 20% by the UK taxman as we were in the single market.
I'm not sure if there is a mechanism for claiming it back unless you're VAT registered yourself.
But does tax apply to private sellers? As they are selling stuff that they already paid tax for?
Usually irrelevant for any import unless the buyer can reclaim it. This is because there is no practical option to verify seller's status. (edited)
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I thought you couldn't charge vat on second hand goods. That's ridiculous.
There has always been VAT on second hand goods. (Some exceptions and some special schemes) when sold by VAT registered businesses.
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sorted byIf you were to sell something on eBay to someone in Spain, their government would collect 21% IVA (VAT) via eBay.
Prior to leaving the EU you would not have been charged the 20% by the UK taxman as we were in the single market.
I'm not sure if there is a mechanism for claiming it back unless you're VAT registered yourself.