Why do I pay VAT when procuring coins that are legal tender?

[alanesme]

Why do I pay VAT when procuring coins that are legal tender?

[tommystrezures]

Where are you buying from I mean in the about me section of the seller is their account registered in the uk? If not then yes you pay vat.

[alanesme]

Ah! But legal tender exchange is not VAT chargeable in the UK. On a previous transaction I ordered US coins from an american based account, I successfully reclaimed VAT from the UK government. So my question is why do eBay charge VAT in such transactions. 

[papso22]

Because eBay’s processes are a blunt tool that takes little account of the vagaries of the VAT system.