Ebay VAT on used items | Member To Member Support

paul2rep · 2026-04-01T07:31:02.327000Z

I found out recently that UK buyers are being charged VAT by ebay on used items posted within the UK, even though a used item posted within the UK is not liable to VAT under UK tax law.It turns out that if a seller uses Ebays "simple delivery service" which includes "buyer protection", this is considered by UK tax office as a "service" and makes the whole transaction liable to VAT.However if the seller doesn't use Ebays "simple delivery service" and posts the item themselves using royal mail/courier service, then the transaction is not liable to VAT if it is used and posted within the UK.I would highly recommend that sellers do not use Ebays "simple delivery service" when posting used items within the UK so their customers don't get charged VAT.

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Ebay VAT on used items | Member To Member Support | eBay UK