Published 06.10.2026 · SEMERO — Express Post Service · ≈ 7 min read
Warning! Signs of a parcel scam
- You are asked to pay a "stamp duty" or another "fee" with a vague name — no such payments exist when receiving parcels.
- You are asked to pay "customs duty" or "VAT" for a parcel you neither ordered nor arranged, without being shown a customs declaration.
- The message has no company name, no customs declaration number and no confirmation of the shipment on the carrier's official website.
- Payment is requested to a foreign account, a personal card, a sole-proprietor (FOP) account or in another unofficial way; the amounts are round and in euros.
- The company does not identify itself, cannot confirm an express carrier licence in Ukraine and gives no valid tracking number.
- Time pressure: "confiscation", "final payment", "the remaining payment".
- After the first payment, new demands appear.
If you see at least two of these signs, do not pay and contact specialists.
Perhaps you have a new acquaintance abroad who asks you to receive a parcel. Or they have sent you a rather expensive gift themselves, along with a tracking number and a waybill. You wait — maybe a month has already passed. Then suddenly you get a message: you must pay customs duty and VAT, otherwise the parcel will be confiscated.
At this point many people overlook the main things: which company is actually writing to them, whether such a carrier is registered in Ukraine, why taxes have to be paid somewhere abroad rather than in Ukraine, what exactly they are for and why the amount is what it is. And they decide: "Maybe I'll just pay and keep waiting…"
Don't. This is a classic scam, and we will explain how to recognise it. In the message shown below, the scammers demand, among other things, a "stamp duty" — a payment that does not exist when receiving international parcels. It was invented to deceive people who do not understand how this kind of delivery works. At SEMERO we work every day with international delivery and customs clearance of DHL and FedEx parcels, so we know well what the real procedure looks like — and what a forgery looks like. See what genuine FedEx parcel customs clearance looks like on our service page.
How the scheme works: step by step
- 1Acquaintance. A new acquaintance appears on social media, a messenger or a dating site. They often present themselves as a soldier, doctor, businessman, engineer abroad or a "diplomat".
- 2Pretext. They send you a gift, a "valuable item" or "money in a parcel", or ask you to receive a parcel on their behalf.
- 3"Documents". You receive a tracking number and a waybill with a well-known carrier's logo, a nice stamp and a barcode.
- 4Waiting. Several days or weeks pass. Trust grows, and you wait for the parcel.
- 5Demand. A "delivery service manager" or "customs" appears and reports that the parcel has been held and customs duty, VAT or a "fee" must be paid urgently, otherwise — confiscation.
- 6New payments. After the first payment, "additional fees", "insurance" and "unblocking" appear. The parcel never arrives.
A real example: a request to SEMERO
A person who received such a message contacted our company. Before paying, they decided to get advice — and did not fall for the scammers. Here is what they were sent.
Right after the screenshot comes the second part of the "evidence": the waybill sent together with the message.
The "stamp duty" is the main fabrication of this scheme
The most suspicious part of the message is the "stamp duty of 800 euros". No such payment exists when receiving international parcels. Scammers deliberately use words that sound official: "stamp duty", "immigration service fee", "unblocking fee", "insurance fee". Someone who does not know how this kind of delivery works may think it is a normal part of the procedure.
Next to the made-up fee the scammers put "VAT", followed by a total: "Total 1700 euros". A few "official" lines and a neat sum create the impression of a genuine calculation. In reality, the real procedure involves only customs duty and VAT (excise for certain goods); they are calculated on the basis of a customs declaration and paid to customs details or to certified accounts of the express carrier.
What is wrong with the message: 8 warning signs
What it says"Stamp duty 800 euros"
Why it is suspiciousA made-up payment. There is no "stamp duty" when receiving international parcels — scammers use "official-sounding" names, counting on people who do not understand how express delivery works. Real payments are customs duty and VAT (excise for excisable goods), calculated on the basis of a customs declaration and paid to official details.
What it says"Your package is in the hands of the immigration and customs service"
Why it is suspiciousThe immigration service does not deal with parcels. A customs hold is handled by the carrier or a customs broker under an official procedure. Strange, machine-like language is also a signal.
What it says"Due to VAT and customs fee" without the name of the goods, their value or a customs declaration number
Why it is suspiciousA real charge is always tied to a specific shipment and calculated in a customs declaration. Without a declaration and calculation, it is just a "number out of thin air".
What it says"Your order has been registered and documented in your name as the recipient"
Why it is suspiciousPsychological pressure: the person is made to feel they are already "responsible" for the parcel, even though they never arranged it.
What it says"We have not yet received confirmation of payment…"
Why it is suspiciousWho are "we"? The message has no company name, position, contacts, website, payment details or shipment number.
What it says"VAT 900 euros"
Why it is suspiciousVAT is calculated from the value of the goods. At a 20% rate, such an amount would mean goods worth about 4,500 euros — yet the "waybill" only says "Envelope".
What it says"Total 1700 euros"
Why it is suspiciousCustoms duty is not paid "to an account" in euros. It is paid to customs details or to certified accounts of the express carrier in Ukraine (see below). Round amounts without a calculation or declaration are a sign of fabrication.
What it says"You must make the following remaining payment"
Why it is suspiciousThe phrase hints at a series of payments. In this scheme, new demands almost always appear after the first payment.
What is wrong with the "FedEx waybill": signs of forgery
At first glance, the waybill sent by the scammers looks convincing: a logo, a barcode, a stamp, a date. But on closer inspection there are many inconsistencies.
What is on the "waybill"The heading "International Special Delivery"
Why it raises doubtsThis is not the name of an official FedEx service. The carrier's real services have different names.
What is on the "waybill"The "Diplomatic Delivery" mark in the Service type field
Why it raises doubts"Diplomatic mail" is a special regime for diplomatic missions, not a service for private gifts. It is a typical "bait" in such schemes.
What is on the "waybill"The "United Nations Agent Representative" stamp
Why it raises doubtsThe UN is not an agent of a commercial carrier and takes no part in delivering private parcels.
What is on the "waybill"Contents — "Envelope", while the "charged weight" is 15 kgs
Why it raises doubtsAn envelope cannot weigh 15 kg. A mismatch between the declared contents and the weight.
What is on the "waybill""Non Inspection Clearance Charge should be paid from the receiver to customs/immigrations"
Why it raises doubtsNo such procedure exists: customs clearance payments are not "passed" to an "immigration service". Moreover, the wording is in incorrect English.
What is on the "waybill"Non-standard fields: "Forum of payment", "Bill for arrival", "Sender authorized" with a fingerprint
Why it raises doubtsReal carrier waybills have no such fields; this looks like a made-up form.
What is on the "waybill"No clear shipment number that can be checked
Why it raises doubtsA real FedEx tracking number (most often 12 digits) can be entered on the carrier's official website to see the status.
What is on the "waybill"Low image quality, overlaid text, no value data and no full sender address
Why it raises doubtsCustoms clearance is impossible without a description of the contents and a declared value. Low quality and "blurred" areas are a way to hide a forgery.
How customs duty and VAT are actually paid
To avoid falling for scammers, it is enough to know a few basic rules.
- Customs duty and VAT are payments to the state budget of Ukraine. They are charged on the basis of a customs declaration containing a description of the goods, their value and the calculation.
- They can only be paid in official ways: to customs details, to certified accounts of the express carrier (for example, DHL, FedEx, Nova Poshta, Meest) or at an Ukrposhta branch — right after receiving the shipment.
- Customs duty is never paid to foreign accounts. No payments to private individuals' cards or sole-proprietor (FOP) accounts either.
- Payment for a parcel can only be demanded by a company that actually holds an express carrier licence in Ukraine and gives a valid tracking number that can be checked on its official website.
- None of the real participants in the process demands payment in cryptocurrency, gift cards or via Western Union.
- No "immigration service" is a party to parcel clearance.
- You can roughly check whether the amount you were given is realistic in our customs calculator. The final payments are determined by the customs declaration.
To see what a real customs hold looks like, read the article DHL cargo at customs.
Sending with someone or by bus follows completely different rules
The scheme often starts with the words "I'll send it through a friend" or "I'll send it by bus". This is a completely different procedure: personal carriage of goods by a person or by scheduled transport is subject to different customs rules than international shipping by an express carrier. That is why, when it comes to shipping, two things must be in place: an express carrier licence in Ukraine and a valid tracking number for the shipment. Better still, consult SEMERO before making any payment.
What to do if you are told to pay "customs duty" for a parcel
- 1Do not pay and do not rush. Scammers always push urgency: "today", "last day", "confiscation".
- 2Ask for the company's full name, the shipment number and contacts. Make sure the company holds an express carrier licence in Ukraine and check the tracking number on its official website by typing the address into the browser manually, not via a link from the message.
- 3Call the carrier's official hotline (take the number from its official website, not from the message).
- 4Ask for the customs declaration or its number and the calculation of payments. The payment details must be customs details or certified accounts of the express carrier; if you are asked to pay to an account abroad, a card or a FOP account, it is a scam.
- 5Do not send photos of your passport or bank card, or SMS codes, and do not install any apps "for verification".
- 6Take screenshots and keep the correspondence — you will need it if you have to contact the police.
- 7Contact specialists. We will tell you whether there are signs of fraud and explain what the real procedure looks like.
What to do if you have already paid
- Call your bank immediately: explain the situation and ask them to block the transaction or start a dispute procedure.
- File a report with the Cyber Police (cyberpolice.gov.ua). Attach screenshots of the correspondence, the payment details, the amount and the time of payment.
- Do not send any new payments, even if you are "promised a refund". That is the second stage of the scheme.
- Stop communicating with the scammers, block their accounts and keep the evidence.
- Tell your family and friends about the case — this makes such schemes work less.
How SEMERO can help
SEMERO is an international delivery agent. We work with the carriers DHL, FedEx and UPS and support customs clearance of parcels — DHL parcel customs clearance and FedEx parcel customs clearance. If you have received a similar message or have doubts about a shipment, send us screenshots of the correspondence and the waybill via WhatsApp or e-mail. We will tell you whether there are signs of fraud and what to do next. It is best to consult us before making any payment. The final status of a shipment is always checked by its number on the carrier's official website.
To get your own rough estimate of the payments that may be charged on your parcel, use our customs calculator. It will help you understand what a real calculation looks like and compare it with the amount the scammers are asking for. The final calculation is made on the basis of the customs declaration.
Frequently asked questions
What is a "stamp duty" for a parcel and do I have to pay it?
It is a made-up payment: there is no "stamp duty" when receiving international parcels. If you are asked to pay it, it is a scam. Real payments (customs duty, VAT) are charged on the basis of a customs declaration and paid to official details.
Can anyone demand customs duty payment to a foreign account?
No. Customs duty is not paid to foreign accounts, nor to private individuals' cards or sole-proprietor (FOP) accounts. It is paid to customs details or to certified accounts of the express carrier (for example, DHL, FedEx, Nova Poshta, Meest) or at an Ukrposhta branch — right after receipt.
Which company can demand payment for a parcel?
Only one that holds an express carrier licence in Ukraine and can provide a valid tracking number that can be checked on its official website. Without that, do not pay.
Do the same rules apply if the parcel is sent with someone or by bus?
No. Personal carriage of goods or sending by scheduled transport is subject to different customs rules than shipping by an express carrier. If in doubt, consult SEMERO.
Who pays customs duty and VAT on a gift from abroad?
It depends on the value of the goods and the shipping conditions. In any case, the charge must be confirmed by a customs declaration and an official notice from the express carrier or broker, and payment must go to official details.
How can I check whether a FedEx or DHL waybill is genuine?
Enter the shipment number on the carrier's official website (type the address manually). If the tracking number is not found or the data does not match the waybill, that is a reason to be alert.
Does FedEx offer a "diplomatic delivery" service for private gifts?
"Diplomatic mail" is a special regime for diplomatic missions, not a standard service for private shipments. Waybills with such a mark and a UN stamp are a typical sign of fraud.
What should I do if I have already paid the scammers?
Contact your bank immediately, ask about blocking or disputing the transaction, file a report with the Cyber Police and do not send any new payments.
Can you check my parcel?
Send us screenshots of the correspondence and the waybill — we will tell you whether there are signs of fraud. The shipment status is always verified by its number on the carrier's official website.
Summary
Be careful: gifts and requests to "receive a parcel for me" are not always pleasant. If you are asked to pay a "stamp duty", "customs duty" or "VAT" for a parcel, stop, check the shipment on the carrier's official website and ask for advice. It is better to spend a few minutes checking than to lose money.
Disclaimer: this material is for information purposes only. SEMERO is a delivery agent, not a carrier.
Have doubts about a parcel or a waybill? Send us screenshots before making any payment. Also useful: document delivery and other blog articles.