Fake FedEx Customs-Fee Phishing Scam
Criminals send emails and texts impersonating FedEx, claiming an incoming shipment is held in customs and a fee must be paid before delivery. FedEx's real brokerage and customs processes work through documented channels and verified account portals — not one-off payment links.
Part of: Fake Customs Scams
Last reviewed: 7 June 2026
FedEx handles millions of international shipments daily, making its brand instantly recognisable to consumers and businesses alike. Fraudsters exploit this recognition by sending urgent-looking messages that mimic FedEx's purple-and-orange design, complete with realistic tracking numbers.
The messages claim a parcel is stuck in customs and a small release fee is required. Because many people legitimately receive international packages, the scenario feels plausible. Victims who pay the fee often find the charge repeated, or discover their card details were harvested for larger fraud.
Knowing how FedEx's genuine customs brokerage service works helps cut through the deception. Actual import duties and customs fees are handled through documented customs entries, not a text message with a payment link.
How this scam works on the FedEx brand
A typical message reads: 'FedEx Alert: Package [#XXXXXXXX] held at customs. Release fee $3.50 required. Click here to pay: [link].' The link leads to a FedEx-branded page requesting credit card or bank information.
Real FedEx customs brokerage charges are invoiced through FedEx Billing Online or your established FedEx account — you receive a formal invoice, not a link-based payment demand. Shipment status details are always accessible by entering the tracking number directly at fedex.com.
In more sophisticated versions, the phishing page captures card details, redirects to a plausible-looking 'payment confirmed' screen, and simultaneously sells the stolen card data. Some campaigns also phone victims posing as FedEx customs agents to add verbal pressure.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited message about a package you cannot verify in your FedEx account
- Payment link leads to a domain other than fedex.com
- The fee is unusually small to encourage quick payment without scrutiny
- Message creates urgency — 'package returned if not paid in 48 hours'
- FedEx branding is slightly off — wrong font, incorrect shade of purple or orange
- No FedEx account or waybill number that you can cross-reference at fedex.com
- Email originates from a free provider (gmail, yahoo) rather than @fedex.com
How to protect yourself
- Navigate directly to fedex.com and enter the tracking number in the official tracking tool
- Log in to your FedEx account to view any genuine customs or duty notices
- Contact FedEx customer service via the number on fedex.com — not any number in the suspicious message
- Never pay customs fees through a link sent in an unsolicited SMS or email
- If you use FedEx Trade Networks for brokerage, verify any charge directly with your account manager
- Block the sender and delete the message
- If card details were entered, contact your bank's fraud line immediately
How to report it
- Forward the suspicious email to [email protected]
- Forward smishing texts to 7726
- In the US, file a report with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
- In the UK, report to Action Fraud at actionfraud.police.uk
- If money was lost, also report to your local police
Frequently asked questions
Does FedEx collect customs fees by text message?
No. FedEx communicates customs duties and brokerage fees through formal invoices sent to your FedEx account or via FedEx Billing Online, not through unsolicited SMS payment links.
Can I verify a tracking number before paying anything?
Yes. Go directly to fedex.com, enter the number in the tracking tool, and see its real status. If the number shows no result or an unrelated package, the message is fraudulent.
What if the email looks completely real?
Phishing emails can closely mimic genuine FedEx communications. Always trust the tracking number entered at fedex.com over any email, regardless of how authentic it looks.