UN postal agency says 25 countries suspend US shipments

It did not name the countries although Australia, Norway, Switzerland and others have already announced suspensions publicly.

The news comes after the US administration said last month it would suspend the global "de minimis" exemption, which also allows minimal paperwork, for international shipments under $US800 ($A1,230), effective August 29.

Low-value imports are losing their duty-free status in the United States as part of Trump's agenda for making the country less dependent on foreign goods and resetting global trade with tariffs.

Purchases that previously entered the US without needing to clear customs will require vetting and be subject to their origin country's applicable tariff rate, which can range from 10 per cent to 50 per cent.

For the next six months, US carriers handling orders sent through the global mail network also can choose a flat duty of $US80 to $US200 per package instead of the value-based rate.

with AP