How do I spot a fake customs fee demand?
Fake customs notices ask you to pay import duties via a link before a parcel is released — real customs authorities send official paper notices and process fees through official government portals.
Last reviewed: 10 June 2026
Explanation
Customs fee fraud exploits the growing volume of international parcel deliveries and the genuine existence of import duties on goods from outside your country's customs zone. When a real duty is owed, the carrier or customs authority notifies you by official letter and holds the package pending payment through a government portal.
Fraudsters send emails or texts claiming to be from HMRC, US Customs and Border Protection, or a carrier's customs clearance team, stating that a small duty is owed before your parcel can be released. The amount is typically small — a few pounds or dollars — because a low fee reduces the resistance to paying. The link goes to a convincing fake payment page that collects card details.
Key distinguishing features: genuine customs notices from HMRC arrive by letter and reference a specific commodity code and declared value. In the US, CBP typically does not notify individuals by email for small personal imports. If a carrier is handling customs clearance on your behalf, they will contact you through a channel you established when booking with them, not through a generic text.
You can verify any genuine customs matter through HMRC's official customs portal (gov.uk) or through your carrier's account portal by logging in directly.
Common red flags
- Text or email asking for customs payment through a link rather than an official portal
- Link goes to a domain other than gov.uk, cbp.gov, or the carrier's exact official domain
- No tracking number or import reference matching an actual incoming parcel
- Fee must be paid within 24 hours or the parcel will be returned
- Payment page asks for full card details for a very small fee
What to do now
- Do not click the link or make payment through the message
- Check your carrier's official account portal for any genuine customs hold
- Contact HMRC or CBP through their official websites if you believe a genuine duty is owed
- Forward suspicious texts to 7726 (UK) or report to the FTC (US)
- If you already paid, contact your bank to dispute the charge
Frequently asked questions
Do I ever owe customs fees on parcels?
Yes. In the UK, import duty and VAT apply to goods over a certain value from outside Great Britain. Genuine notifications come by official letter or from your carrier through an established portal.
Is it normal for a courier to text about customs?
Some legitimate carriers send SMS updates, but they direct you to their official app or website — they do not include a payment link in an SMS.
What if I am expecting a parcel from abroad and I receive this message?
Even if you are expecting a parcel, go directly to the carrier's official site to check its status. The coincidence of receiving the message while expecting a parcel is exploited by fraudsters who send high volumes hoping to match expectations.
Sources
- FTC — How To Avoid a Government Impersonation Scam — Federal Trade Commission
- IRS — Tax Scams/Consumer Alerts — Internal Revenue Service
- SSA OIG — Scam Alert — Social Security Administration Office of the Inspector General
- FCC — Frauds, Scams and Alerts — Federal Communications Commission