Customs asking for passport scan? What to do?

[tripleg]

I am receiving Reta in Armenia. It is being shipped by Armenian national Postal Service. I received this notification today:

“We would like to inform you that the parcel addressed to you weighing 0.228 kg with tracking number xxx has been detained for customs control reasons. In order to ensure further processing, the customs authority needs your passport data. Please send a scanned version of your passport to xxx e-mail address, indicating in the subject field: The tracking number of your shipment.”

Is this cause for concern? Do I risk anything by providing my passport copy? I understand you can’t know about Armenia, but whatever experience you have with your country helps. (For example the U.S.)

 

[ZippityDooDah]

I would ignore it and presume I'll never see the package, and learn to accept the financial loss.

 

[vewdew34]

I would follow ZippityDoo advice, I have one package seized years ago and never bothered with it and been fine till now.

 

[tripleg]

I would ignore it and presume I'll never see the package, and learn to accept the financial loss.

Thank you. So the presumption is that it's been seized?

Could it also mean they are trying to levy customs duties? I could try to call the customs authorities, explain I got a suspicious looking notification and ask why they need my passport?

Someone said they've seen it happen before with DHL express, a package from USA -> Spain. They wanted a copy of the passport before they could deliver it.

I get the advice to just forget it, but can you briefly explain the reasoning please? Has it got people in trouble to provide the passport copy?

 

[tripleg]

I guess I'm also wondering if it doesn't raise more suspicion if you don't respond?

P.S. I am okay with the financial loss.

 

[ZippityDooDah]

Thank you. So the presumption is that it's been seized?

Could it also mean they are trying to levy customs duties? I could try to call the customs authorities, explain I got a suspicious looking notification and ask why they need my passport?

Someone said they've seen it happen before with DHL express, a package from USA -> Spain. They wanted a copy of the passport before they could deliver it.

I get the advice to just forget it, but can you briefly explain the reasoning please? Has it got people in trouble to provide the passport copy?

My experience is limited to the US and Canada, but normally payment of any taxes and/or duty due for a parcel does not involve a request for a copy of my passport or anything else (obviously that differs from duty and taxed levied at a border crossing, airport, etc. when clearing customs is a normal part of the routine since presenting your passport is a requirement).

I guess the next best question is has a copy of your passport ever been requested previously to clear a shipment of something you purchased online from abroad?

Ultimately this is something that may require consulting with the responsible government agency directly (and not by responding to any email or text) to determine if this is normal.