This article was checked in September 2026. Rules and figures change, so confirm them before you act. We are not lawyers or tax advisers.
The short answer
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can I open a Shopify store from Pakistan? | Yes. Anyone can open a store. |
| The hard parts? | Payments, shipping, duty and US consumer rules. |
| Do parcels still enter duty free? | No. The $800 exemption is suspended for all countries and ends by law on July 1, 2027. |
| Best shipping model? | Test from Pakistan, then move stock to a US warehouse once products sell. |
Key takeaways
- Plan duty into every price.
- Have a payment provider that accepts your company.
- Meet the FTC shipping-time rule.
- Collect sales tax where your sales pass a state's limit.
Step 1: Open the store
Anyone can sign up for Shopify from Pakistan. Choose a clean theme, add your logo and set the store currency to US dollars. Keep the design simple so product photos stand out.
Step 2: Set up payments
This is where most Pakistani sellers get stuck. Shopify Payments is not offered to stores based in Pakistan. With a US company and US bank account, you can apply for Shopify Payments in the US. Shopify decides who is approved, and owners outside the US may be asked for extra documents.
Step 3: Decide how you will ship
From a US warehouse
You ship stock in bulk to a US fulfillment warehouse, also called a 3PL. Orders ship from inside the US in a few days. You need an importer and a customs broker for the bulk shipment.
From Pakistan
You ship each order by international courier. No US stock is needed, but delivery is slower and costs more. US rules for small parcels changed in 2025, so plan duties into your prices and check current rules with your courier.
Step 4: Write pages US customers expect
- Clear shipping times and costs
- A returns policy, ideally with a US return address
- Size charts in US sizes
- Contact details, including a US phone number if you have one
- Privacy policy and terms
Step 5: Get your first customers
A new store gets no visitors on its own. The fastest start is usually Google Shopping ads, because people searching for a product are ready to buy. Add search engine optimization for long-term traffic and email to bring customers back.
Shopify or Amazon?
Amazon brings shoppers but takes a fee on every sale and owns the customer relationship. Shopify lets you build your own brand and customer list, but you must pay to bring visitors. Many sellers do both.
See our Shopify store setup service for help.
US consumer rules for online stores
| Rule | What it means for you | Who is in charge |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping promises | Ship within the time you state, or within 30 days if you state none, or tell the customer and offer a refund. | FTC |
| Sales tax | Collect in states where your sales pass that state's limit, often $100,000 a year. | Each state |
| Reviews | Fake or paid reviews are illegal. | FTC |
| Returns and privacy | Clear policies that you follow. | FTC and states |
Costs to plan for
| Cost | Paid to |
|---|---|
| Shopify plan and apps | Shopify and app makers |
| Card payment fees | Your payment provider |
| Ads | Google, Meta and others |
| Freight, duty and customs broker | Your forwarder, US Customs and broker |
| US warehouse and last-mile shipping | Your fulfillment partner and carriers |
| Returns | Your customers and carriers |
Add these to your product cost before you set a price. A price that looks good in Pakistan can lose money once every US cost is counted.
Want us to handle this for you?
We are a US office in Chicago for Pakistani exporters. We set up your US company, build your website and find US buyers. You sell to them directly.
Keep reading
Selling onlineSell on Amazon USA from Pakistan
Getting startedExport to USA from Pakistan
Company, tax and bankingRegister a US company from Pakistan
Common questions
Can I use Shopify Payments from Pakistan?
Not for a store based in Pakistan. With a US company and US bank account, you can apply for Shopify Payments in the US. Approval is up to Shopify.
How do I ship Shopify orders to US customers from Pakistan?
Either ship each order by courier from Pakistan, or send stock in bulk to a US fulfillment warehouse that ships orders inside the US.
How do I get traffic to my Shopify store?
Google Shopping ads are usually the fastest start. Search engine optimization and email marketing build traffic over time.
Can I use Shopify Payments from Pakistan?
Usually not directly. Even with a US company, Shopify often asks owners outside the US for an SSN or ITIN and proof of US operations. Another provider may accept your company.
Should I start on Amazon or Shopify?
Amazon brings customers faster. Shopify builds your own brand. Many sellers start on Amazon and add Shopify later.