Fake Customs Duty Parcel Release Scam Impersonating the DHL Brand
Scammers frequently impersonate the DHL brand in fake customs release messages because DHL's international shipping role makes customs duty stories especially believable.
Part of: Fake Customs Duty / Parcel Release Fee Scam
Last reviewed: 5 July 2026
Customs charges on international parcels are real, and DHL genuinely collects import duties before releasing some shipments, so a fee request in its name reads as routine. The scam borrows DHL's logo, colors, and notification wording to claim a parcel is held at the border, linking to a lookalike payment page that differs from the real site only in small domain and design details; pay once and a further 'release' or 'storage' fee follows. The distinction that matters most: a genuine duty shows against your tracking number on the official site typed in yourself, never only in a message's link.
How this scam works on the DHL brand
A message or email using DHL's logo, color scheme, and typical notification wording claims a parcel addressed to the recipient is being held at a border facility pending payment of an import duty or customs clearance fee. The linked page mimics DHL's real tracking and payment interface closely enough that recipients unfamiliar with the genuine site's exact layout may not notice small differences in the domain name or page design. After payment, the 'parcel' either never existed or the scam escalates with a request for a further release or storage fee, all while impersonating DHL's brand identity rather than any real DHL system. In some cases, scammers time these messages to real periods of high international parcel volume, such as after online shopping events, to increase the odds a recipient is actually expecting something from overseas.
Common red flags
- Message uses DHL branding but the sender email domain or link does not match DHL's official domain
- Request for a customs or duty payment through a link rather than DHL's own verified tracking portal
- No genuine DHL tracking number, or a tracking number that does not resolve on DHL's real website
- Urgent, time-limited threats about parcel destruction or return if payment isn't made immediately
- Follow-up requests for additional 'release' or 'storage' fees after an initial payment
How to protect yourself
- Check any parcel status only through DHL's official website or app using a real tracking number
- Hover over or inspect links before clicking to confirm they lead to DHL's genuine domain
- Contact DHL directly through verified customer service channels if you're unsure about a fee request
- Never enter card details on a page reached through an unsolicited text or email link
- Report impersonation messages directly to DHL's fraud reporting team
How to report it
- Report the impersonation message to DHL's official fraud or phishing reporting channel
- Forward suspicious texts to 7726 (SPAM) or report phishing emails to your email provider
- File a complaint with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov describing the brand impersonation
- Report compromised payment details to your bank immediately
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell a real DHL email address from a spoofed one?
Check the full sender address after the @ symbol, not just the display name, and confirm it ends in DHL's genuine domain rather than a lookalike variation. When in doubt, don't reply to the email — go directly to DHL's official website to verify any claim.
Does DHL ever charge extra 'storage' fees after an initial customs payment?
Legitimate storage or demurrage charges can exist in real shipping, but any such fee should always be verified directly through DHL's own tracking system or customer service, not paid through a link that arrived unsolicited. A second surprise fee request after you've already paid once is a common escalation tactic in this scam.
What should I do if a DHL-branded text or email asks me to confirm my address and payment details together?
Treat combined requests for personal and payment information as a strong warning sign, since legitimate delivery confirmations rarely require both at once through an unsolicited link. Verify independently through DHL's official app or website before entering anything.
Does DHL ever ask for customs payments by text link?
DHL directs customers to verify and pay any legitimate customs charges through its official website or app rather than an unsolicited text or email link, so any such request should be treated with suspicion.
How do I check if a DHL-branded message is real?
Go directly to DHL's official website or app and look up the tracking number yourself rather than clicking any link in the message, since a genuine parcel hold will show up in the real system.