help with a 'restricted item' sent to the UK

[txandy]

hi there, I recently sold a GI Joe figure to a buyer in England. I'm in the US. I packaged and sent the figure, same day, but the latest update from the Ebay issued tracking number (from 8 days ago) says the package is restricted and will be returned to me. Aside from that seeming very odd, what is the best way to take care of both the buyer and myself. Do i just issue a refund to the buyer, or should he request one for the package not turning up? On my side, do I wait for the item to be returned, or do i contact someone for my money? If so, who/how

[pikabo-icu]

@txandy   How did you ship it? Did you use eBay's International Shipping? 

[txandy]

I did, yep. It looks like it was at their stateside distribution center they decided it was a restricted item

[hartungcards]

Joe may have already served his quota of European tours of duty.

[pikabo-icu · Accepted solution]

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@txandy wrote:

I did, yep. It looks like it was at their stateside distribution center they decided it was a restricted item

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Well, it's eBay shipping it back not the buyer so you can be fairly sure it will come back to you.

Most sellers wait to refund after the package is returned but in this case, since it is of no fault of the buyer, I would refund them now. 

Here's the policy & restrictions for you to have a look at..

https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/shipping-items/setting-shipping-options/ebay-international-shippin... 

[kensgiftshop]

Just recently, the UK has banned some toys from being imported to the UK.

If you shipped EIS, Ebay should take care of it.

[simba6]

They do have some strange rules about toys in Europe.  I once purchased a Tiger of The Wind plush from over there.  It has soft cloth horns on it's head.  The one from Europe has the horns curved back.  No cloth points allowed?   Never seen Tiger depicted that way.  Looks like he has shrimp growing out his head.