A text or email says a package addressed to you is being held at customs, and it will only be released once you pay a small import or clearance fee. The amount is low enough to feel reasonable, and the message looks official. But the parcel does not exist, and the fee — plus the details you enter — go straight to a scammer. Our GetMyPassword team explains how to recognize a fake customs fee scam.
How the scam works
You receive a message — posing as a courier, postal service, or customs office — claiming a package is stuck in customs and needs a fee to be released. Sometimes it ties to a parcel you are actually expecting; sometimes it invents a “gift from abroad” or a prize. A link leads to a fake payment page that takes the small fee and, more importantly, harvests your card and personal details. In romance and inheritance versions, the “customs fee” grows with new charges for “insurance” or “taxes.” The parcel never arrives because there is no parcel.
Red flags to watch for
- An unexpected “held at customs” message for a parcel you cannot verify.
- A small fee demanded by link, payable by card, gift card, or a payment app.
- Urgency — pay now or the package is returned or destroyed.
- A sender address or link that does not match the real courier or postal service.
- Escalating charges for “insurance,” “storage,” or “taxes” after the first fee.
How real customs charges work
Genuine customs or duty charges are handled through official channels, with documentation tied to a real shipment you can confirm with the carrier using its tracking number on the official site. Legitimate couriers do not collect fees through random texts with payment links, and they certainly do not ask for gift cards. If you are genuinely importing something dutiable, the carrier provides a verifiable invoice and a proper way to pay. A surprise fee demanded by link, for a parcel you cannot independently verify, is a scam.
Real customs fees come with a real, trackable shipment and an official way to pay. A surprise “clearance fee” by text link, for a package you cannot verify, is buying you nothing but losses.
How to protect yourself
Do not click the link or pay; instead verify any parcel directly with the carrier using the official tracking number on its real website. Never pay a customs fee by gift card, and be wary of “fees” tied to gifts from people you met online. If you entered card details, watch your statement and consider replacing the card. Because these pages phish for logins too, keep your accounts behind a unique password from our password generator and two-factor authentication.
Frequently asked questions
Is a customs fee text a scam?
If it demands a fee by link for a parcel you cannot independently verify, it is almost certainly a scam. Real customs charges come with a trackable shipment and official payment channels, not random texts with payment links or gift-card requests.
How do I check if a package is really held?
Go to the carrier’s official website and enter the tracking number yourself, rather than clicking the link in the message. If you cannot verify the shipment through official channels, treat the message as fraudulent.
What if I already paid the fee?
Contact your card issuer to dispute the charge and watch for further fraud, and consider replacing the card. If you shared personal details, consider a fraud alert and secure your accounts with strong, unique passwords and two-factor authentication.