$12.5B
FTC-reported fraud losses in 2024
FTC says consumers reported losing $12.5 billion to fraud in 2024.
FedEx Express customs fee scam
A phishing email claims your FedEx Express international shipment requires a customs clearance payment before delivery, directing to a fake payment portal.
“package delivery scam text”
↓ 31%Key indicators
Usually targetsInternational shoppers
Often hitsSmall business owners
Common regionUnited States
Last updated2026-04-04
Estimated impact
$240
median reported loss
Typical range$24 – $2.4K
Recovery rate~20%
Annual reports160,000
Scam breakdown
1
Scammers send realistic-looking FedEx Express emails claiming a customs duty must be paid online to release the shipment.
2
The payment portal captures credit card details and sometimes requests a copy of your passport or ID.
3
Victims lose money and personal documents, while no actual package exists.
What to do first
Contact FedEx directly at 1-800-463-3339 to verify any customs charges.
Related terms
FedEx customs payment scamFedEx duty fee phishingfake FedEx Express customsPackage delivery scamsFedExSurgingInternational shoppersSmall business ownersImportersSmall business ownersCreators and online sellersUnited StatesUnited KingdomCanadaFedEx customs payment scamFedEx duty fee phishing
Real-world example
How this scam plays out in practice
Based on reported patterns. Names and details are illustrative.
The setup
Megan, 35, a international shoppers, encountered what appeared to be a legitimate package delivery scams situation while using FedEx. Scammers send realistic-looking FedEx Express emails claiming a customs duty must be paid online to release the shipment.
Step 2
What happened next was calculated: The payment portal captures credit card details and sometimes requests a copy of your passport or ID.
Step 3
The pressure escalated quickly: Victims lose money and personal documents, while no actual package exists.
The outcome
Megan realized something was wrong when customs fee request for a package you were not expecting from overseas. By that point, significant damage had already been done — money sent, personal information shared, or trust exploited.
The lesson
Contact FedEx directly at 1-800-463-3339 to verify any customs charges. Megan's experience shows why customs fee request for a package you were not expecting from overseas and payment link goes to a non-fedex domain are the clearest early warning signs.
How to identify it
- Customs fee request for a package you were not expecting from overseas
- Payment link goes to a non-FedEx domain
- Threatens to return or destroy the package within 48 hours
- Pause before paying, clicking, or sharing information. Scammers rely on speed.
- Verify the sender, company, or agency using a phone number or website you already know is legitimate.
- Treat secrecy, urgency, and off-platform payment requests as strong scam signals.
What to do now
- ✓Contact FedEx directly at 1-800-463-3339 to verify any customs charges.
- ✓Legitimate FedEx customs charges are handled through official billing, not emailed payment links.
- ✓Report phishing to FedEx at [email protected].
What to save before reporting
- ✓Save the message, profile, phone number, email, or URL that was used.
- ✓Keep payment confirmations, receipts, and account alerts before you dispute or delete anything.
- ✓Write down the timeline while the details are still fresh.
How big is this problem
You are not alone — this scam affects millions of people.
These numbers come from government agencies and official reports. If you have been affected, know that this is a widespread problem — not something that only happens to careless people.
FTC 2024 fraud losses
Imposters
Most common FTC fraud category in 2024
FTC says imposter scams remained the most commonly reported fraud category in 2024.
History and evolution
- This scam family tends to persist because the social-engineering pressure works even when the exact scripts, platforms, and payment methods change.
- The specific packaging evolves over time, but the core pattern usually stays the same: create urgency, control the channel, and push action before verification.
- The BBB Scam Tracker has documented numerous reports of customs fee scams impersonating FedEx, particularly targeting recipients of international shipments.
Recovery and follow-up
- ✓Save the messages, receipts, account alerts, and transaction details before you block or delete anything.
- ✓Report the scam through the official platform or government channel that best matches where it happened.
- ✓Contact FedEx directly at 1-800-463-3339 to verify any customs charges.
- ✓Legitimate FedEx customs charges are handled through official billing, not emailed payment links.
- ✓Report phishing to FedEx at [email protected].
Why this pattern keeps working
Even when the story changes, most scams still use the same pressure pattern: urgency, authority, and a request to move money or data fast.
The BBB Scam Tracker has documented numerous reports of customs fee scams impersonating FedEx, particularly targeting recipients of international shipments.
BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Where to report it
If you have been targeted by this scam, reporting it helps authorities track the pattern and protect others. United States has dedicated agencies that handle fraud reports.
ReportFraud.gov
Federal Trade Commission
Central U.S. consumer fraud reporting portal.
File an IC3 complaint
FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center
FBI portal for internet-enabled crime reports.
Start identity theft recovery
IdentityTheft.gov
Official U.S. identity theft recovery plan builder.
Explore further
Understand the bigger picture
Who is most at risk
Who this scam targets
Primary targets
International shoppers, Small business owners, Importers
Geographic concentration
United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia
Primary channel
FedEx — Package delivery scams
Why this group is vulnerable
International shoppers are particularly vulnerable because this scam exploits trust in familiar brands, authority figures, and time-sensitive decisions. The rapid increase in reports suggests that awareness among this demographic remains low.
Sources and methodology
How we verify this information
OpenScam tracks scam patterns using a combination of government consumer protection databases (FTC, IC3, Action Fraud), platform-specific fraud reports, and verified consumer complaint data. Each entry is cross-referenced against at least two independent sources before publication.
Severity ratings are based on financial impact potential, reversibility of damage, and volume of reports across multiple reporting channels. Trend velocity reflects the rate of change in report volume over the most recent 90-day window.
This page was last verified on 2026-04-04. Red flags, recovery steps, and reporting resources are reviewed quarterly against current agency guidance.
Evidence and indicators
- The BBB Scam Tracker has documented numerous reports of customs fee scams impersonating FedEx, particularly targeting recipients of international shipments.
Source notes
- BBB Scam Tracker 2025
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about fedex express customs fee scam
How does the fedex express customs fee scam work?+
Scammers send realistic-looking FedEx Express emails claiming a customs duty must be paid online to release the shipment. The payment portal captures credit card details and sometimes requests a copy of your passport or ID. Victims lose money and personal documents, while no actual package exists.
What are the warning signs of fedex express customs fee scam?+
Customs fee request for a package you were not expecting from overseas Payment link goes to a non-FedEx domain Threatens to return or destroy the package within 48 hours
What should I do if I encounter fedex express customs fee scam?+
Contact FedEx directly at 1-800-463-3339 to verify any customs charges. Legitimate FedEx customs charges are handled through official billing, not emailed payment links. Report phishing to FedEx at [email protected].
Who is most at risk for fedex express customs fee scam?+
This scam primarily targets International shoppers, Small business owners, Importers. It is most commonly reported in United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and typically appears on FedEx.
Is fedex express customs fee scam getting worse?+
FedEx Express customs fee scam is currently surging — reports are increasing rapidly. It has been reported across US, UK, CA, AU. Last updated 2026-04-04.
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Help someone avoid this scam.
Scammers succeed because people do not talk about it. If you or someone you know has been affected, there is no shame in it — it happens to millions of people every year. Share this page with friends and family so they know what to look for.
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