The Sounds Tolls were created in the 15th century when the amount of herring in Oresund decreased.

The king, Eric of Pomerania, lost a good source of income and decided to create a toll to be put on all ships that passed through Oresund. 

The tolls were instituted in 1428. In later years extra taxes were levied on the goods the ships carried, in addition to the passage. The ships would anchor off of the Kronborg Castle in the city of Helsingør, and wait until it was their turn to pay.

At the end of the 16th century the Sound Tolls accounted for two thirds of all the country's income. Other countries resented the toll, so much so that massive pressure was put on Denmark at a large trade conference in 1857, resulting in the removal of the toll.