> Yes they can ignore the VAT if they operate outside of the EU. It's up to the importer to pay the tax in that case. National posts and delivery companies have a standardized procedure for it.

Yes, but... there is usually some "processing fee" for the customer when it is done this way, so it depends on what they are selling. For instance, if they are selling $10000 items, then yes, the customer probably won't mind too much a $30 processing fee additional to a VAT of about $2000. However, if they are selling $5 items, the post office will still ask its $30 processing fee, even if the VAT is only $1... And, the customer will scream murder, refuse the parcel, etc.