Now I get it. eBay now collect Value Added Tax on EXPORTS from the UK to EU "up to the value of EU150" (what they do for amounts over that figure they don't say??) and provide what they call an IOSS number, which you have to give to the carrier to prove that VAT is paid - otherwise the recipient may be charged VAT again on receipt of the item. Presumably this also applies in reverse, to selling things from the EU to UK (have noticed similar refusals to sell to UK from eBay.Fr) so it seems that it's an eBay thing - from which, presumably, they make even more money. Also, as I said before, VAT in EU is apparently 20% but in UK VAT on antiques is 5%, and even our own Customs people rarely know that! I have lost count of the number of times I have been held up for 20% VAT PLUS £15 HANDLING FEES on things bought from outside the UK, and had to PROVE to the bandits in HMRC that 5% was applicable, and not 20%. I can't blame sellers in EU for not wanting to get involved in all this shenanigans.
Steve