EU to UK VAT on small items under £135

I recently purchased an item from a German seller (value £20/€25) this was sent to the UK. eBay collected €5+€2(on €10 shipping)= €7 for VAT they claim was remitted to the 'UK government' - in quotes because that seems non-specific to me. The item is tiny and was sent via Deutsche Post, a tracking number was uploaded to eBay by the seller.

Does eBay actually remit this cost to the 'UK government' as they claim? Is that payment in some way linked to this tracking number, or can I request the VAT be returned (in the event it hasn't been paid)?

Couple of relevant notes: In my experience items coming from DE to UK via FedEx or DHL get routed via Parcel Force once in the UK, and I have had to pay Parcel Force directly to have items delivered where the value is above £135. eBay says they automatically collect and remit to the government VAT on items under this threshold. (VAT is not charged on 'gifts' up to £39 I think, but coming from eBay they are commercial sales, not 'gifts').