SCAM💬 SMS · smishingHigh risk

DHL "Customs Fee" Text Scam — International Package Phishing Warning

DHL customs clearance fee — targets international package recipients with authentic styling

DHL Express: Your parcel is awaiting customs clearance. Pay the outstanding duty of $5.80 to release your shipment: dhl-customs-pay.com

⚠dhl-customs-pay.com

SMS

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Confirmed scam

DHL is the dominant international courier — customs fee scams are especially effective for recipients expecting overseas packages.

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Typical victim loss: $50–$500

FTC Consumer Sentinel 2024 — delivery/shipping fraud median $180

First seen

Aug 2024

3 red flags in this message

Fake domain

DHL Express official site is dhl.com. All customs management through dhl.com/express.

Unspecified parcel

Real DHL notifications include the waybill number and shipper name.

Under $10 amount

Small amounts chosen to maximize the ratio of card value captured vs. payment asked.

What happens if you click

→

Full card details stolen via fake DHL customs portal.

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Identity fraud using billing address.

Other versions of this message

Scammers rotate wording to bypass spam filters. All variations lead to the same outcome.

DHL: Package held at customs. Clearance fee of $7.30 required. Pay at: dhl-release.net

DHL NOTICE: International parcel requires duty payment of $4.20 before delivery.

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Fake DHL domains used in this scam

dhl-customs-pay.comSee domain →dhl-customs-portal.comSee domain →dhl-clearance-pay.netSee domain →dhl-fee-release.comSee domain →

People also search for

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Frequently asked questions

How does DHL actually handle customs fees?+

DHL may send an email with your waybill number requesting customs payment through dhl.com. They never use SMS payment links with third-party domains.

How do I track a real DHL package?+

Go to dhl.com and enter your waybill number. The DHL app is also available for real-time tracking.

Why are DHL and FedEx impersonated less than USPS?+

USPS handles far more domestic US packages. DHL and FedEx scams primarily target people expecting international shipments — still millions of potential victims.

DHL "Delivery Exception – Confirm Address" Text Scam

DHL delivery exception code

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All DHL scams →All delivery fee scam patterns →

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First documented: August 2024

Source: FTC Consumer Sentinel 2024 — delivery/shipping fraud median $180

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