My UK customer has been charged VAT by Ebay

[dlar160]

I sold a £5 item today (7" vinyl record). As well as £2.25 postage, Ebay have charged the customer £0.45 VAT. What is this for?

[dlas-0]

Are they in Northern Ireland?

[game_raid]

It wouldn't make no difference if they were.

[dlar160]

Would being in Northern Ireland make a difference?

[dlar160]

(I'm in Northern Ireland - the buyer is not)

[fargvs]

Can't be UK 20% VAT then as you, the Seller are also based in N. I

Edit --- Note that your response has been edited to state that buyer is outside N.I.    Where was it posted to ?.

[dlar160]

The VAT appears to have been charged on the postage (20% of £2.25)

[sml192 · Accepted solution]

Being in Northern Ireland would make no difference. 

The item sold for £5.00 plus £2.70 postage (£2.25 plus £0.45 VAT) so the buyer has been charged correctly. 

It appears that you are using eBay's new Simple Delivery service as the listing provides options for Standard Tracked and Express Tracked but doesn't specify the carrier.   With Simple Delivery the buyer is buying the postage from eBay so eBay is required to show a breakdown of any VAT charged. 

[dlar160]

An address in England