Import Duties & Shipping from Pakistan: What Buyers Actually Pay
Who pays what — the short version
Unless your quotation says otherwise, the factory's price covers manufacturing and (if agreed) freight; import duty, VAT/GST and clearance fees in your country are paid by you, the importer. On express courier shipments (DHL, FedEx, UPS) the courier clears customs for you and invoices any duty and tax before or at delivery — there is no separate broker to hire for typical order sizes.
This is the industry standard for made-to-order apparel from any country, and it is why two buyers in different countries can pay different landed costs for the same order.
Duty schemes by destination
| Destination | Scheme | What it means for Pakistan-origin garments |
|---|---|---|
| European Union | GSP+ | Pakistan holds GSP+ status with the EU, giving reduced or zero duty on many apparel lines |
| United Kingdom | DCTS | The UK's Developing Countries Trading Scheme gives reduced or zero duty on many Pakistan-origin apparel lines |
| USA | Standard tariff schedule | Normal US apparel tariffs apply by HS code |
| Canada | Standard tariff schedule | Canadian tariffs and taxes apply by HS code |
| Australia | Standard tariff schedule | Australian tariffs and GST on import apply by HS code |
Always confirm the current rate for your specific HS code with your customs broker or courier before ordering — schemes and rates change, and the classification of your exact garment decides the rate. We deliberately do not print percentages here because a stale number is worse than none.
What an HS code is and why it decides your duty
Every traded product has a Harmonised System (HS) code — a numeric classification that customs uses to set the duty rate. A knitted polyester jersey, a woven jacket and a sports bag sit under different codes with different rates. The commercial invoice we prepare states the HS classification and accurate values for each line; if your broker prefers a specific classification for your product, tell us with the order and we align the paperwork.
Accurate declaration matters: undervaluing invoices to dodge duty is illegal in the destination country and risks seizure — ZipaSports declares actual values, which also protects your insurance claim if a shipment is lost.
The documents you receive with every export
| Document | What it is | Who issues it |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial invoice | Line-by-line values, HS codes, buyer/seller details — the customs valuation document | ZipaSports |
| Packing list | Carton-by-carton contents, weights and dimensions | ZipaSports |
| Certificate of origin | Confirms Pakistan origin — the document your preferential duty claim (GSP+/DCTS) rests on | Issued via the chamber; arranged by ZipaSports |
| Airway bill / bill of lading | The carrier's transport contract and tracking reference | Courier or shipping line |
Air or sea — and what it does to the total
Express air (DHL/FedEx/UPS) from Sialkot delivers worldwide in 5–10 days, tracked door to door — the default for team and brand orders. Sea freight takes 3–6 weeks and only pays off at bulk volumes where the freight saving is larger than the cost of waiting. The lead-time guide shows how shipping fits the full order timeline.
Duty and VAT/GST are charged on the customs value regardless of transport mode, so the air-vs-sea decision changes freight cost and speed, not your duty bill.
How to budget a landed cost
Landed cost = factory quote + freight + insurance + duty + VAT/GST + clearance fees. To budget it: get your quote from the factory (send your design and quantity on WhatsApp for a same-day figure), then ask your courier or broker for the duty and tax estimate against the HS code and value. Buyers ordering complete team kits or BJJ gis for the first time should run this once — after the first shipment the numbers repeat predictably. Country-specific notes live on our buyer pages: UK, USA, Australia, Canada and Europe.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who pays import duty on sportswear from Pakistan?
The buyer, as importer of record — unless the quotation agrees otherwise. On express courier shipments DHL, FedEx or UPS clear customs and invoice the duty and tax to the receiver before or at delivery.
Does the factory quote include import duties?
No — quotations are ex-factory or with freight as agreed, and import duties and taxes in the destination country remain the buyer's responsibility. This is confirmed in writing before any order.
Is there reduced duty on Pakistan-made garments in the UK and EU?
Yes, in many cases. Pakistan holds GSP+ status with the EU and qualifies under the UK's DCTS scheme, giving reduced or zero duty on many apparel lines — confirm the current rate for your HS code with your customs broker.
What documents come with a shipment from ZipaSports?
A commercial invoice with accurate values and HS codes, a packing list, and a certificate of origin confirming Pakistan origin, plus the carrier's airway bill or bill of lading. These are the documents your customs clearance and any preferential-duty claim rest on.
Can ZipaSports undervalue the invoice to reduce my duty?
No. Invoices declare actual values — undervaluation is illegal in the destination country, risks seizure of your goods, and voids insurance cover. Accurate paperwork clears customs faster and protects you.