Several countries have suspended package deliveries to the United States due to new customs regulations, according to the Universal Postal Union (UPU).

The UPU, a UN agency, stated that 25 of its 192 member countries are involved, but did not specify which ones.

News agencies have reported that Australia, Norway, and Switzerland have announced the halt themselves, with postal providers in France, Germany, and India following suit.

Danish PostNord announced on August 20th that they are temporarily pausing shipments to the USA.

PostNord’s communications director, Björn Bergman, stated that the decision is “regrettable, but necessary.”

The new customs regulations, which come into force on Friday, mean that all shipments with a value under $800 to the USA or Puerto Rico will be subject to customs clearance.

The previous de minimis threshold of $800 has been removed, and customs duties must be paid before the package arrives in the USA.

Letters without goods or packages from private individuals up to a maximum value of $100, marked as gifts, are exempt.

Shipments over $800 are not affected.

Dansk Erhverv (the Danish Chamber of Commerce) highlights unanswered questions regarding who will pay a potential fine if the customs rules are broken.

Dansk Industri (the Confederation of Danish Industry) states that the changes will affect Danish companies that send small packages with, for example, samples, replacement goods, or spare parts to American customers.

Dansk Industri estimates that this will result in a price increase of 200-300 percent for them.