We checked the US and Pakistani rules on this page in September 2026. Rules change, so we confirm them again before we start your work. We are not lawyers or tax advisers. Where a license is needed, we work with licensed partners.
The short answer
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Can I open a Shopify store from Pakistan? | Yes. Anyone can open a store. The hard parts are payments, shipping and US rules, which we set up for you. |
| Do I need a US company? | In practice, yes, for US payment providers and for importing stock into a US warehouse. |
| What does it cost? | $1,499 one time, then $499 a month if you want us to manage it. Shopify's own fees are extra. |
| How do customers get their orders? | Either from a US warehouse (faster) or shipped from Pakistan (slower, costs more per order). |
What you get
- A Shopify store with your brand, logo and colors
- Up to 50 products with photos, clear descriptions and US sizes
- Payment setup through a provider that accepts your US company
- Shipping rates for a US warehouse or for shipping from Pakistan
- Shipping, returns, privacy and terms pages written for US customers
- Sales tax settings for the states where you must collect
- Google Analytics and a Google Merchant Center product feed for Google Shopping
- Search engine optimization for every product and collection page
How orders reach your customers
| From a US warehouse | From Pakistan | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | You ship stock in bulk to a US fulfillment warehouse. It packs and ships each order. | You pack each order in Pakistan and send it by courier. |
| Delivery time | Usually a few days inside the US | Longer, and less predictable |
| Cost per order | Lower | Higher |
| Customs | One entry for each bulk shipment, filed by a licensed customs broker | Every parcel goes through US customs and pays duty |
| Best for | Products that already sell steadily | Testing a few products before you commit |
A good approach is to test a small number of products first, then move stock to a US warehouse once you know what sells.
Customs and duty
This is where many new sellers lose money. Here is what applies to goods you sell to US customers:
| Rule | What it means for you | Who is in charge |
|---|---|---|
| No duty-free small parcels | The US used to let parcels worth $800 or less enter without duty. That exemption is suspended for all countries, and US law ends it completely on July 1, 2027. Every parcel now pays duty and needs a customs entry. | US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) |
| Importer of record | For bulk stock, a company must act as the importer and take responsibility for the customs entry. Your US company can do this. | CBP |
| Customs bond | The importer needs a customs bond, either for one shipment or a yearly (continuous) bond. Your customs broker arranges it. | CBP |
| Security filing for sea freight | For ocean shipments, the Importer Security Filing (ISF, also called 10+2) must be sent at least 24 hours before the goods are loaded in Pakistan. | CBP |
| Duty and fees | You pay duty based on the product's tariff code and value, plus the Merchandise Processing Fee (0.3464 percent of value on formal entries, with a yearly minimum and maximum) and, for sea freight, the Harbor Maintenance Fee (0.125 percent). | CBP |
| Extra tariffs | Additional US tariffs on Pakistani goods changed several times in 2025 and 2026. We get the current total rate from a licensed customs broker before you price your products. | CBP and the US government |
See our US customs guide for more detail.
Payments
Shopify Payments is Shopify's own card processing. For US stores it asks for a US business and a US bank account, and it often asks owners who live outside the US for a US Social Security number or ITIN and proof of US operations. Many foreign owners are not approved.
If Shopify Payments is not available to you, we connect another payment provider that accepts your US company. Each provider sets its own rules, so we check them with you before launch. This is one reason we set up your US company first.
US rules for online stores
| Rule | What it means for you | Who is in charge |
|---|---|---|
| Shipping promises | If you state a shipping time, you must meet it. If you do not state one, you must ship within 30 days. If you cannot, you must tell the customer and offer a cancellation and refund. | FTC Mail, Internet or Telephone Order Merchandise Rule |
| Sales tax | Most states require online sellers to collect sales tax once their sales into that state pass a set level, often $100,000 a year. We set Shopify to collect tax where you must, and you register and file in those states. | Each state |
| Reviews | Fake reviews, paid reviews and reviews from staff are illegal. The FTC can fine businesses for them. | FTC |
| Textile labels | Clothing and home textiles need labels showing fiber content, country of origin and the maker or seller, plus care instructions. | FTC |
| Children's products | Products made mainly for children under 12 need testing at an approved lab and a Children's Product Certificate. Since July 8, 2026, importers must file certificate data electronically for regulated products. | Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) |
| Country of origin | Imported goods must be marked with their country of origin, for example Made in Pakistan. | CBP |
| Returns and privacy | Your returns, refund and privacy policies must be clear and easy to find, and you must follow them. | FTC and states |
How we build it
- 1ProductsWe pick which products to launch with and check their US rules.
- 2NumbersWe work out landed cost, duty and your selling price.
- 3StoreWe build the store, pages and product listings.
- 4PaymentsWe connect a payment provider for your US company.
- 5ShippingWe set up the warehouse or courier and shipping rates.
- 6LaunchWe test real orders, then go live with ads.
Getting your first customers
A new store gets no visitors on its own. We usually start with Google Shopping ads, because people searching for a product are ready to buy. We add SEO, email and social media as the store grows. You set the ad budget, and you can change it at any time.
Full costs
| Cost | Amount | Paid to |
|---|---|---|
| Store setup (one time) | $1,499 (about Rs. 420,000) | Pak Export Partners |
| Monthly store management (optional) | $499 per month | Pak Export Partners |
| Google Ads management (optional) | $399 per month | Pak Export Partners |
| Shopify plan and paid apps | Set by Shopify | Shopify, directly |
| Card processing fees | Set by your payment provider | Payment provider |
| Ad budget | Set by you | Google or other ad platforms |
| Warehouse, freight, duty and broker fees | Quoted per shipment | Your warehouse, forwarder and broker |
Common questions
Can I open a Shopify store from Pakistan?
Yes, anyone can open a Shopify store. The harder parts are taking card payments and shipping to US customers, which is what we set up for you.
Do I need a US company for Shopify?
Not to open the store, but in practice you need one for US payment providers and to import stock into a US warehouse.
Can I use Shopify Payments?
Shopify often asks owners who live outside the US for a Social Security number or ITIN and proof of US operations, and may not approve you. If it does not, we connect another provider that accepts your US company.
Do parcels from Pakistan still enter the US duty free?
No. The $800 duty-free exemption is suspended for all countries, and US law ends it completely on July 1, 2027. Every parcel now pays duty.
Do I have to collect US sales tax?
Only in states where your sales pass that state's limit, often $100,000 a year. We set up your store to collect tax where required.
Should I sell on Shopify or Amazon?
Amazon brings buyers but charges fees on every sale and controls the customer. Shopify lets you build your own brand but you must bring the visitors. Many sellers start on Amazon and add Shopify later.