High riskDelivery

Fake Customs Fee Text

This scam texts that a parcel is held in customs and a fee is due, linking to a fake page that collects your card and personal details.

Quick verdict

Risk level
High risk
Scam type
Customs impersonation scam
Main red flag
A text saying a parcel is stuck in customs and a fee must be paid through a link.
What to do first
Do not pay through the link. Verify any charge with the courier or retailer directly.

What to know first

This scam texts that a parcel is held in customs and a fee is due, linking to a fake page that collects your card and personal details.

Delivery scams (a form of smishing) impersonate couriers with a believable small problem, an unpaid fee, a wrong address, a held parcel, timed to arrive when you might be expecting something. The link leads to a cloned courier site that harvests your card details and a bank one-time code.

The core pattern to watch for is clear: A text saying a parcel is stuck in customs and a fee must be paid through a link. Do not pay through the link. Verify any charge with the courier or retailer directly.

Related tricks worth knowing: the Canada Post Text Scam and the Fake Delivery Text Scam. For the wider picture, browse the Delivery & Postal Scams guides or run the message through our scam checker.

Scam statistics

#2
fake package-delivery texts were the second most-reported text scam in 2022
Source: US Federal Trade Commission
$330M
reported lost to text-message scams in the US in 2022
Source: US Federal Trade Commission

Tell-tale red flags

  • A customs fee text for a parcel you may not be expecting
  • A small fee with a threat the parcel will be returned
  • A link that is not the courier's or postal service's official site
  • A request for card and personal details to release the parcel
  • Urgent deadlines to pay quickly

Staying safe

  • Do not click the link or pay the fee
  • Check any genuine customs charge with the courier or retailer directly
  • Report the text to your mobile provider's spam service
  • Delete the message and block the sender

How it usually reads

Example pattern, not a real report
Example pattern: 'Your parcel is held at customs. A fee of $2.99 is required for release. Pay here to avoid return: [suspicious link]'

This is a fictional, anonymised example used to illustrate the pattern. It is not a verified real message, and any names are used only to show how the scam typically reads.

What to notice: A text saying a parcel is stuck in customs and a fee must be paid through a link.

Steps if you already acted

  • Do not submit any details on the page
  • Contact your bank if you entered card information
  • Change passwords for any reused logins
  • Monitor your statements for unexpected charges

Common mistakes

  • Do not pay customs fees through a text link
  • Do not share card or personal details
  • Do not reply to the message

Scams like this one

High risk Delivery

Canada Post Text Scam

This scam sends a fake Canada Post delivery notice asking you to click a link or pay a small redelivery fee, then collects your card and personal details on a fake page.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Delivery

Fake Delivery Text Scam

This scam impersonates a courier with a missed-delivery text and a link to a fake page that asks for a fee or your personal and card details.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team
High risk Text Message

Fake Toll Road Text Scam

This scam texts you about a small unpaid toll and threatens late fees, linking to a fake page that collects your card and personal details.

Created by Scam or Safe Editorial Team

Your questions answered

Are customs fees ever real?
Genuine import charges can exist, but they are confirmed through the courier or postal service, not a random text link demanding a small fee.
How do I check a real customs charge?
Contact the courier or retailer using their official website, and use the real tracking number to confirm the parcel and any fees.
Why is the fee so small?
A small, believable amount lowers your guard, while the real aim is to capture your card and personal details on the fake page.
What if I already paid?
Contact your bank immediately to flag the card and watch for further unauthorised charges.

Last reviewed June 2026 · Written & reviewed by the

Disclaimer: This page provides educational information only to help you recognise common scam patterns. It is not legal, financial, cybersecurity, or law enforcement advice, and it does not confirm whether any specific message, company, or person is genuine or fraudulent. When in doubt, contact the official organisation directly and report concerns to your local authorities.