Teabags, crisps and chocolate cannot be sent to the US as An Post issues advice to customers ahead of Christmas

"Under rule changes introduced earlier this year, food items cannot be accepted into the US - including teabags, crisps and chocolate. The changes came in under a directive issued by the US government on August 29. With no changes to the posting of letters and documents, they can be sent Stateside as normal. Gifts under a value of €85 (or $100) can also continue to be sent as normal, with no changes there either."

"However, gifts with a value more than that will be subject to taxes of a minimum of 15pc of the value of the item. The taxes will have to be paid by the receiving customer before the package can be delivered. Under previous rules, all goods sent from Ireland to the US with a value of less than €685 ($800) were exempt from tax."

""Please note, there are some food items which cannot currently be accepted into the USA, including teabags, crisps and chocolate," an advisory on the An Post website reads."

""Declarations with these items listed could be stopped and returned. Please visit the United States International Trade Commission for more information.""

Rule changes introduced earlier this year ban many food items from being accepted into the United States, explicitly including teabags, crisps and chocolate. The changes were implemented under a US government directive on August 29. Posting of letters and documents remains unchanged. Gifts valued under €85 ($100) continue to be sent without change. Gifts valued above €85 will attract taxes of at least 15% of the item value, which must be paid by the receiving customer before delivery. The previous tax-free allowance for goods under €685 ($800) has been removed. Declarations listing prohibited foods may be stopped and returned; consult the United States International Trade Commission for details.

Read at Irish Independent