Taxed on International Puchase of Silver Coins

Question

I purchased a silver coin from the UK. At check out I was charged taxes. My understanding is this was a sales tax charged by eBay. I reside in North Carolina and am not subject to a sales tax on silver coins and. How do I go about requesting a refund? Thank you.

eburtonlab · Answer

@budharick

Sales tax depends on the law in the state the item is being shipped to, but also upon the category the item is listed in. If a seller lists an exempt item in a non-exempt category, the purchase may be subject to the tax.

It is probably easier to avoid such transactions by noting the category the item is listed in or the sales tax line item prior to committing to the purchase than it is to get the sales tax amount back either from eBay or from your state government.