How to Order a Pakistani Bridal Dress from Abroad: Timeline, Sizing and Duties
Many brides in the USA and UK want a bridal outfit from a Pakistani designer, but cannot fly to Lahore or Karachi to order it. This guide explains how to order from abroad without stress.
1. Start with Your Wedding Date
Work backwards from the date. Allow time for:
- Production. Made-to-order bridal pieces take the longest. The expected time is shown on each product.
- International shipping from Pakistan.
- Customs clearance.
- Final alterations with a local tailor.
As a rule, start looking several months before the wedding, and earlier for heavy bridal work.
2. Choose Ready-to-Wear, Unstitched or Made-to-Order
Ready-to-wear comes in set sizes and ships fastest. Unstitched outfits need a skilled tailor. Made-to-order pieces are made to your measurements and can include changes to colour or details, but they take longer and usually cannot be returned.
3. Measure Carefully
Pakistani sizing is not standard, and every designer has their own chart. Measure your bust, waist, hips, shoulders, armhole, sleeve and full length. Wear the shoes and undergarments you plan to wear on the day. For a lehenga, measure from the waist to the floor in your wedding shoes.
4. Read What Is Included
Check whether the price includes the blouse, skirt or trousers, lining, sleeves and dupatta. Photos sometimes show items such as belts or jewellery that are not included.
5. Plan for Import Duties
If you live in the USA, all parcels from Pakistan are now subject to import duty. For clothing it is currently around 29% of the declared value, paid on delivery. Read our US duties guide before you order.
6. Get Help with Custom Orders
For bridal and made-to-order pieces, our team can speak to the designer for you and keep you updated during production. Email care@studiobytcs.com with your wedding date and the design you like.
Shop Bridal
Browse Pakistani bridal dresses, lehenga choli and wedding dresses from designers including Nilofer Shahid, Yasmin Zaman, Zahra Ahmad and Maheen Khan.
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