Greg's Corner

Stuck in Customs? It’s Likely a Scam

By Greg Collier

When an online order never shows up, it’s natural to follow up. But if the seller tells you your package is stuck in customs due to tariffs, it may be more than just a shipping delay. According to reports from BBB Scam Tracker, this explanation is increasingly being used by scammers to delay refunds or avoid delivering anything at all.

The scam usually begins with a professional-looking advertisement on social media or search engines. A potential customer visits the site, sees a product they want, and proceeds through a smooth checkout process. Everything appears legitimate until the item never arrives. Initial follow-ups may be met with vague, repetitive messages urging patience. Eventually, the seller may claim the package is stuck in customs due to tariffs or international regulations. In some cases, the buyer is asked to pay additional money to release the shipment. Other times, a tracking number is provided that falsely shows the package was delivered to an unrelated address, often in another state.

Some sellers blame trade policy or customs backlogs as a reason for the delay, but these explanations often serve to buy time or discourage further inquiries. Once customers demand a refund or threaten to report the issue, communication often stops altogether. Email responses may be riddled with grammatical errors or come from generic addresses with no identifiable support team.

Several patterns tend to appear in these types of scams. The most telling is the use of tariffs or customs as an excuse for excessive delays. Another is being asked to pay more money after the order is placed. Tracking numbers that don’t align with your shipping information or that show delivery to the wrong location are also red flags. Customer service that avoids specific answers or disappears entirely should raise immediate concern.

While sponsored social media ads can come from legitimate companies, scammers also use these platforms to present fake businesses that vanish once enough orders come in. Shoppers are advised to research unfamiliar sellers before purchasing, particularly when ads appear in sponsored posts. Reviews outside of the seller’s own platform can help reveal complaints or patterns of fraud. Inspecting the website for inconsistencies, such as poor grammar or suspicious URLs, may also uncover warning signs.

Paying with a credit card can provide an extra layer of protection in case you need to dispute a charge. It is uncommon for U.S. consumers to owe tariffs after completing a purchase, so any request for post-purchase customs payments should be treated with skepticism. Saving order confirmations, tracking information, and screenshots of the original ad can support your claim if you decide to report the scam or seek a refund through your credit card issuer.

As scammers become more sophisticated in creating fake websites and using technical language to explain away delays, staying informed is essential. If you believe you’ve been targeted by this type of scam, you can file a report with BBB Scam Tracker to help warn others and contribute to ongoing fraud investigations.