item seized by customs no warning by EBay that it is a restrictive item

[prityniteshshah]

 A meerschaum pipe I sold has now been seized by customs.  I will not get my item back but the seller will be refunded.  There were no words under restrictive items to say that meerschaum pipes are a restricted product.  Why did Ebay not warn me before selling?  Now how do I get back my item from customs because it was an item passed down through family inheritance.

Thanks

[*vyolla*]

Was this sold via eBay's Global Shipping Programme?

If so, and they've refunded your buyer, you've still been paid and they'll dispose of the item appropriately because it has an ivory head, and there are strict regulations about selling items made up of parts of dead elephants. 

You shouldn't have listed that at all, it cannot be sold.

[plum993]

Ebay have many pages of information for buyers and sellers,and a seller can view restricted/prohibited items prior to selling them here on this page Policies on restricted or prohibited items – overview | eBay

To be fair,if the item had great sentimental value to you then best you kept it rather than listed it.