The New Zealand Customs Service says some people are receiving fake email requests for customs duty payments on shipments.

One of the fake emails.

The mails indicate that they have been sent from New Zealand Customs.

"Such emails are scams," Customs Service says. "People are advised to check for fraud indicators before making a payment -  or contact Customs to check whether a payment is required or not."

It says details that show an email is from a scammer include:

• Not from a New Zealand Customs email address, i.e. name@customs.govt.nz
• No personalised greeting
• Does not include an specific dollar amount, or emails ask for percentage payment
• Includes no specific reference numbers or Customs client codes or other identifiers
• The link points to a non-Customs website or email address
• Strangely worded, lacking details or incorrect grammar, punctuation mistakes and lacking specific details
• Lack of information regarding the sender or contact details not provided in the email.