An Post Customs Fee Email Scam — What to Know in Ireland
An email says you have an An Post parcel waiting with an outstanding customs charge. It asks you to pay through a link. An Post does collect customs fees, but they do so through official channels with a reference number, not through unsolicited email links.
Think this email is a scam?
Forward it to us and get a free risk assessment in under 60 seconds.
How This Scam Works
High Risk — Common Irish Delivery Scam
An Post does collect customs charges on some international parcels, but they use official channels with reference numbers — not unsolicited email links asking for card details.
You receive an email claiming to be from An Post saying you have a parcel being held due to an outstanding customs charge. It asks you to pay a small fee through a link to release the delivery. The amount is typically small — between 1.50 and 5 euros — designed to feel harmless.
The link leads to a fake An Post website that captures your credit card details. Because An Post genuinely does collect customs fees on packages from outside the EU, this scam is particularly convincing. The key difference is that real customs notices from An Post come with a reference number and direct you to anpost.com/customs.
This scam has been widespread in Ireland, particularly since Brexit increased the number of parcels subject to customs charges from the UK. FraudSMART Ireland has issued multiple warnings about this specific scam type.
Red Flags
- Claims a parcel is being held for a customs charge
- Sender address is not from @anpost.com
- Link does not point to anpost.com
- Does not include a verifiable An Post reference number
- Asks for full credit card details for a very small amount
An Post sends customs notices through the An Post app, by text with a reference number, or by physical card. You can pay customs charges at anpost.com/customs using the reference number provided.
What You Should Do
What To Do
- Do not click any links in the email
- Check the An Post app or anpost.com for any parcels awaiting customs payment
- If you have a reference number, verify it at anpost.com/customs
- If you entered card details, contact your bank immediately
- Report the scam to An Garda Siochana and FraudSMART
How to Verify Legitimately
Open the An Post app or go to anpost.com and track your parcels. If there is a genuine customs charge, it will appear there with a reference number. You can also call An Post at 1890 705 060 or +353 1 705 7600. Legitimate customs fees can be paid at anpost.com/customs or at your local An Post office.