Fake USPS International Customs Fee Phishing Scam
Scammers send texts or emails impersonating USPS and claiming that an incoming international parcel is held in US Customs and requires a payment before it can be released. USPS's process for customs-cleared international mail does not involve unsolicited payment links.
Part of: Fake Customs Scams
Last reviewed: 8 June 2026
USPS handles a significant volume of international inbound mail, including packages processed through US Customs and Border Protection. Some parcels do incur customs duties or import fees, and recipients sometimes need to pay these before delivery. Scammers exploit this legitimate process to send fraudulent messages claiming a package is held pending a customs payment.
The message is particularly effective because international shoppers know that customs fees can arise, making the scenario plausible. The provided link leads to a fake USPS customs payment portal that collects card details.
When USPS does need a recipient to pay a customs fee, the notification comes through the official tracking record at usps.com, and any payment is made through the official USPS website. USPS does not send unsolicited payment links by text for customs clearance.
How this scam works on the USPS brand
The text says: 'USPS: Your international package [#XXXXXXXX] is pending customs clearance. Outstanding customs duty: $4.75. Pay to release: [link].' The fake site asks for card number, expiry, CVV, and billing address.
Some variants specifically target recipients of packages from China, citing known package-routing delays and customs inspection language that mirrors real USPS updates. Others add a secondary step claiming the package will be confiscated and destroyed if payment is not received within 48 hours.
A more sophisticated version includes a fake CBP (Customs and Border Protection) document number alongside the USPS tracking number, suggesting co-ordination between two agencies and increasing the sense of official legitimacy.
Common red flags
- Unsolicited text claiming USPS is holding a parcel pending customs payment via a link
- Link does not go to usps.com
- Custom duty amount is very small to reduce hesitation
- Threat of confiscation or destruction of the parcel if not paid within 24 to 48 hours
- Fake CBP document number included to seem official
- Email sender is not @usps.com
- No corresponding hold visible at usps.com when you enter the tracking number
How to protect yourself
- Track your parcel at usps.com using your actual tracking number to see genuine customs status
- Contact USPS customer service at 1-800-275-8777 if you have questions about a real customs hold
- Never pay a customs fee via a link in an unsolicited text or email
- Report the phishing message to [email protected]
- Report to the USPIS at postalinspectors.uspis.gov
- Forward smishing texts to 7726
- If card details were entered, contact your bank immediately
How to report it
- Report to the USPIS at postalinspectors.uspis.gov
- Email [email protected] with a screenshot
- Forward smishing texts to 7726
- Report to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
- If financial loss occurred, also file a report with your local police
Frequently asked questions
How does USPS handle real customs fees on international packages?
For international packages requiring customs fees, USPS updates the tracking record at usps.com. You may receive a notification directing you to usps.com to pay — never through a separate SMS payment link. You can also check status directly at usps.com without waiting for a notification.
Can a customs authority confiscate a parcel if a fee is not paid quickly?
US Customs and Border Protection has the authority to seize prohibited goods, but parcels are not destroyed or confiscated for non-payment of a small customs fee within 48 hours. Legitimate customs holds follow a documented process with significant notice periods.
I paid the fake customs fee. What should I do?
Contact your bank immediately to dispute the charge and block the card. Report to the USPIS at postalinspectors.uspis.gov and to the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov. If the fake site asked for additional personal details, treat those as compromised.