I recently had one from France.

I purchased and it arrived damaged due to poor packing.

I received a refund and the seller made a claim with the postal service as they had the contract with the carrier. (French postal service)

French post then contact Aust post and in turn rang me to see if I could return the item and packing to the local PO which I gladly did.

I signed over the item and the local post office retain it for a period of 3 months in case it needs to be inspected by head office.

If not and Aust Post finalize the the claim, the item is thrown out but seeing as I know the local PO, they said I am welcome to have it for parts after 3 months providing head office haven't needed it as evidence.

I think the norm on eBay is that the buyer takes in the damaged item with packing to the carrier to have it deemed as adequate or inadequately packaged. If deemed adequately damaged it is then the seller that needs to lodge the claim with the carrier as they have the contract with them and the buiyer makes the claim with the seller.

Inadequately packed, the buyer makes the claim with the seller and the seller knows a a claim with the carrier will most likely be unsuccessful due to packing unless insurance has been taken out.