Who I have the same questioned this topic

Why is it that when someone calls an 800 number to the US from ANY place outside the US (other numbers go through fine). This is not with every 800 number but it happens a lot. This is not device specific or location specific. The nessage received when the call is attempted is in the local language signifying the error that the call cannot be placed. The dialing pattern is correct and the device is able to make other international calls.

I have looked in quite a few places for info on this but have come up empty so far.

So the question is...why are 800 numbers so hard to be reaqched while calling from outside the US?