advice required for item not received (as yet)

[11sana]

Hi

Advice would be much appreciated.

I bought an item from a seller in the UK who unfortunately has poor communication skills, item was posted on 24/6.  i still have not received the item and worse still when I click on the tracking info it tells me that it has passed to the Russian Federation (comforting!!) for delivery there.  I contacted the seller who produces a receipt that sepcifies the tracking number as he entered into ebay and also that it is for delivery to Aus.  I have checked with my local post offices who have no such package waiting for me and Aus Post (over the phone) advise that that package has not come to Aus as if it had, even with that tracking number, they would know.  This seller is slightly dodgy in my view, he has done a few strange things during the course of the transaction.  What would you do in this situation??  I have spent a total of a miniscule amount over $600.  I paid via paypal, am I covered??  Interesting situation but I hope that it doe snto end up being a costly one for me!  Thanks.