Selling abroad from Pakistan: 6 store mistakes that stop Gulf and UK buyers

Pakistani brands are getting visitors from the UAE, Saudi Arabia and the UK, often from overseas Pakistanis who already know the product. Many of those visitors leave without buying, and it is rarely because of the product.

Before an overseas buyer pays, they want answers to a few simple questions. If the store does not answer them, they leave. These are the six gaps we see most often, and what to do about each.

1. Prices only in rupees

A buyer in Dubai seeing "Rs 8,500" has to stop and convert. Most will not bother, and some will assume the price is higher than it is.

The fix: show prices in the buyer's currency, at least AED, SAR, GBP and USD. On Shopify, a currency selector or a geolocation app can do this. Be honest about what happens at checkout: without Shopify Payments, buyers usually still pay in your store's base currency, so say so clearly near the price and in the cart.

2. No delivery time or cost for their country

"Free delivery all over Pakistan" tells an overseas buyer nothing. They need to know two things before they add to cart: how long it takes, and what it costs.

The fix: add a short shipping line on every product page, such as "UAE: 5 to 8 working days", and a shipping page with a table by country. Only promise times your courier actually meets.

3. Customs charges that appear at the door

Nothing kills repeat orders like a surprise bill on delivery. Depending on the destination and the order value, the buyer may be asked for import VAT, duty and a courier handling fee before they can receive the parcel.

The fix: decide which model you use and say it plainly:

• Duties paid by you (DDP): the price the buyer sees is the final price. Easier to sell, but you carry the cost and need a courier that supports it.
• Duties paid by the buyer (DDU): cheaper for you, but the store must warn buyers clearly, before checkout, that local taxes and fees may be charged on delivery.

Either can work. Hiding it never does. Check current rules with your courier for each country, because thresholds and fees change.

4. Payment options they do not use

Cash on delivery works in Pakistan. Abroad, buyers expect to pay by card or digital wallet, and many will not send a bank transfer to a business they do not know.

The fix: this is the hardest one, so start early. Shopify Payments is not available to businesses registered in Pakistan, so you will need a third-party gateway that accepts international cards. Each one has its own approval requirements, fees and payout rules. Get approved first, then market abroad, not the other way round.

5. Sizes they cannot read

"Medium" means different things in different countries. Unstitched fabric in metres, shoe sizes and ring sizes cause the same problem.

The fix: add a size chart with measurements in centimetres and inches, and UK or EU equivalents where they exist. For clothing, a "how to measure" image and a note on fit ("runs small, size up") prevent most returns.

6. No proof you are a real business

A buyer who has never heard of you is sending money to another country. A WhatsApp number on its own is not enough to make them comfortable.

The fix: make the basics easy to find:

• A clear returns and exchange policy for international orders, including who pays return shipping.
• A contact page with an email address, business hours and a physical city.
• Real reviews from real customers, ideally from buyers abroad. Never invent them.
• Order tracking that works outside Pakistan.

Where to start

You do not need a new website to fix most of this. Start with the two that cost you the most: usually payments and delivery clarity. Then work through currency, customs, sizing and trust.

If you would like a second pair of eyes, send us your store link and the countries you want to sell to. We will tell you which of these six matter most for your store.