vat charge on purchases from the channel islands

[trevthet]

I almost bought a collectable postacard from the Channel islands - total cost £1.9 but VAT was added at the checkout.  The seller says VAT is not chargeable on exports under £10 to the UK but Ebay are collecting it anyway.  Is this correct ?

[arkwebus]

It's not really up to a seller in CI to assess what VAT may be charged on an import to UK.  Presumably the extra 40p is all that is at stake here?

@trevthet 

[trevthet]

The seller in the CI informed me there was a £10 allowance which I found out had been abolished, likewise the UK import allowance was also abolished, and the CI are not in the UK for VAT purposes anyway. I am wiser but I do like to know what my tax liabilities are. Good thing it was not an expensive item ? Buying on Ebay should be informed rather than led up the garden path by misinformation or buyer beware CI sellers even though the tax is for HMRC.