Export & Shipping
How your order travels from our factory in Sialkot to your door: shipping options, realistic transit times, export documents and the situations worth planning for.
Shipping Explained Clearly, Before You Order
Shipping is where many first-time importers get surprised by delays, duties or extra charges. We would rather explain everything up front, so you can choose the right shipping method and budget correctly.
Liwam Sports prepares the export paperwork in Pakistan, coordinates with couriers, airlines and freight forwarders, and keeps you updated from dispatch to delivery. Our Chief Representative in London can also assist UK and European buyers.
- Express courier, air freight and sea freight
- Export documents prepared by our team
- Shipping terms agreed in writing with your quotation
- Tracking details shared as soon as goods are dispatched
Three Ways to Ship Your Order
The right option depends on your order size, deadline and budget.
Express Courier
Door-to-door delivery through international express couriers such as DHL, FedEx and UPS. The courier handles customs clearance at destination.
- Typical time
- 3–7 working days
- Best for
- Samples, small and urgent orders
- Charged by
- Actual or volumetric weight, whichever is higher
- Tracking
- Full online tracking
Air Freight
Cargo flights from Sialkot International Airport or Lahore, arranged through a freight forwarder. A customs broker clears the goods at your airport.
- Typical time
- 5–10 days including clearance
- Best for
- Medium orders that are time-sensitive
- Charged by
- Chargeable weight (actual or volumetric)
- Delivery
- Airport to airport, or door to door via forwarder
Sea Freight
Goods are cleared through Sialkot Dry Port and moved to Karachi or Port Qasim, then shipped as a full container (FCL) or shared container load (LCL).
- Typical time
- 3–7 weeks port to port, by route
- Best for
- Large bulk orders and repeat stock
- Charged by
- Container (FCL) or cubic meter (LCL)
- Delivery
- Port to port, or door to door via forwarder
How Long Shipping Usually Takes
Typical ranges in days after dispatch from Pakistan. They are guides, not guarantees.
| Destination | Express Courier | Air Freight | Sea Freight (port to port) |
|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | 3–5 working days | 5–8 days | 25–40 days |
| European Union | 3–6 working days | 5–8 days | 25–40 days |
| United States | 4–7 working days | 5–10 days | 30–45 days |
| Canada | 4–8 working days | 6–10 days | 35–50 days |
| UAE & GCC | 2–4 working days | 3–5 days | 5–10 days |
| Australia | 4–7 working days | 5–8 days | 20–30 days |
Sea freight times exclude 2–4 days of inland transport from Sialkot to Karachi and final delivery from the destination port. Customs inspections, public holidays, peak seasons and global route disruptions can add time.
Who Pays for What
Incoterms decide where our responsibility ends and yours begins. The agreed term is stated on your quotation and invoice.
| Term | Meaning | Who Handles What | Suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| EXW | Ex Works | You collect from our factory. You arrange and pay for all transport, export clearance and import. | Buyers with their own Pakistan-based forwarder |
| FOB | Free on Board (Karachi) | We deliver goods cleared for export and loaded on the vessel. You pay sea freight and import costs. | Sea shipments booked by your forwarder |
| CIF / CFR | Cost, Insurance & Freight | We pay sea freight to your port (CIF also includes insurance). You handle import clearance and duties. | Buyers who want us to book the vessel |
| DAP | Delivered at Place | We deliver to your address. You pay import duties and taxes on arrival. | Courier and door-to-door orders |
| DDP | Delivered Duty Paid | We deliver with import duties and taxes paid, where the carrier and destination allow it. | Buyers who want one all-inclusive price |
The Paperwork, Handled
Correct documents are the main reason shipments clear customs quickly. These are the documents involved in a typical export.
| Document | Issued By | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Commercial Invoice | Liwam Sports | Shows goods, HS codes, fabric composition, quantities and values for customs |
| Packing List | Liwam Sports | Lists carton numbers, contents, sizes, weights and dimensions |
| Export Goods Declaration | Filed with Pakistan Customs via Pakistan Single Window | Official export clearance from Pakistan |
| Air Waybill / Bill of Lading | Airline, shipping line or courier | Contract of carriage and proof of shipment |
| Certificate of Origin | Sialkot Chamber of Commerce & Industry | Proves goods were made in Pakistan |
| Origin Statement (where eligible) | Registered exporter (REX for the EU) | Needed to claim EU GSP+ or UK DCTS duty preferences |
Information Needed for Smooth Customs Clearance
Most customs delays happen because importer details are missing. Please share these before dispatch.
Full Delivery Details
Company name, complete address with postcode, contact person, phone number and email.
EORI Number (UK & EU)
Commercial importers in the UK and EU need an EORI number to clear customs.
Importer Details (USA)
The importer of record details, and your customs broker if you use one.
Shipping Preference
Courier, air or sea, your Incoterm, and your own forwarder or courier account if you have one.
Import Duties Depend on Your Country
Import duties and taxes are set by the destination country and paid by the importer unless the shipment is DDP. Here is the current position for our main markets. Rules change, so please confirm the exact rates for your product with your customs broker.
European Union
Pakistan is a GSP+ beneficiary, so eligible apparel can enter the EU at reduced or zero duty. A valid statement on origin under the REX system is required. Import VAT still applies.
United Kingdom
Under the UK Developing Countries Trading Scheme, Pakistan has Enhanced Preferences, which can reduce duty on eligible apparel with a valid origin declaration. Import VAT still applies.
United States
No duty preference applies to Pakistani apparel, and US tariffs have changed several times since 2025. The low-value de minimis exemption is suspended, so even small parcels are dutiable.
Other Markets
GCC, Australia, Canada and other countries apply their own duties and taxes. We prepare documents to match each country’s requirements.
What Can Go Wrong, and How We Handle It
No exporter can control customs officers, weather or global shipping routes. What we can do is prepare for the common issues and keep you informed.
Shipment held at destination customs
Usually caused by a missing EORI or tax ID, unclear HS codes or a value query.
We list exact HS codes, fabric composition and values on every invoice, collect importer details before dispatch and respond to customs queries with supporting documents.
Unexpected duty bill on delivery
Under DAP terms the receiver pays import duties and taxes when the parcel arrives.
We agree DAP or DDP in writing with your quotation, so you know in advance who pays duties. Where DDP is available, we can quote an all-inclusive price.
Export inspection in Pakistan
Pakistan Customs or airport security may select a shipment for physical inspection.
Inspections usually add 1–3 days. Accurate packing lists and carton marks help them clear quickly, and we keep you informed if one happens.
Public holidays and peak season
Eid holidays, national holidays and the pre-Christmas peak slow down customs, airlines and couriers.
We plan dispatch dates around Eid and other holidays and tell you in advance when a holiday may affect your delivery.
Sea route disruption
Many container ships still sail around Africa instead of the Red Sea, which can add 10–14 days to Europe-bound sea freight.
We confirm the current routing and transit time with the forwarder at booking and suggest air or split shipments for deadline-critical orders.
Damaged or lost goods
Cartons can be damaged in handling, and losses, though rare, can happen.
We photograph cartons before dispatch, use strong export cartons and recommend cargo insurance on air and sea shipments. Report any damage on the delivery note.
Urgent launch with a large order
A full order by sea may arrive too late for a launch date.
We can split the shipment: part by air or courier for the launch, the rest by sea to keep costs down.
Higher courier cost than expected
Courier and air charges use volumetric weight (length × width × height ÷ 5000 for most couriers) when it is higher than actual weight.
We pack efficiently to reduce empty space and quote using the real carton dimensions, not just the weight.
Remote area or address surcharge
Couriers may charge extra for remote postcodes or incorrect addresses.
We check the delivery address before booking and confirm any surcharge with you before dispatch.
Packed to Arrive in Retail-Ready Condition
Good packing protects your goods and speeds up receiving at your warehouse. Our standard export packing includes:
- Individual polybags with size labels, folded to your requirements
- Garments sorted by style, color and size within each carton
- Strong export-grade cartons, sealed and strapped
- Carton marks with PO number, style, quantity, carton number and weights
- Moisture protection for sea shipments
- Photos of packed cartons shared before dispatch
Custom packaging such as branded polybags, swing tags and printed boxes is available. See Customization & Branding.
Shipping Questions Answered
Do you ship worldwide?
Yes. We ship to the UK, Europe, the USA, Canada, the Middle East, Australia and other countries by express courier, air freight or sea freight.
Which shipping method should I choose?
Express courier suits samples and small orders. Air freight suits medium, time-sensitive orders. Sea freight is the most economical option for large bulk orders when you can allow several weeks for delivery.
Who pays import duties and taxes?
It depends on the agreed Incoterm. Under DAP and most courier shipments, the receiver pays duties and taxes on arrival. Under DDP, they are included in our price where the carrier and destination allow it.
Can I use my own courier account or freight forwarder?
Yes. Share your courier account number or forwarder details and we will hand over the goods with complete export documents under EXW, FCA or FOB terms.
How do I track my shipment?
We share the tracking number, air waybill or bill of lading as soon as the goods are dispatched, along with copies of the invoice and packing list.
Is shipping included in the product price?
Shipping is quoted separately because it depends on weight, volume, method and destination. Your quotation states the shipping cost and Incoterm clearly.
What if my goods are delayed at customs?
We respond to customs queries quickly with the required documents. Most holds are resolved within a few days once missing information is provided.
Information last reviewed: October 2026
Need a Shipping Estimate?
Tell us your quantity, destination and deadline, and we will recommend the best shipping option with your quotation.