Waqas Shah Official is a Lahore-based couture house, and the United Kingdom is one of our largest markets outside Pakistan. Every piece is made to order after you place it, then sent to your UK address with free DHL delivery.
This page covers what ordering from Pakistan actually involves for a UK customer: how long it takes, how our sizes convert to UK sizes, and what you should expect to pay in duty and VAT when the parcel arrives.
What our UK customers say
"I ordered an outfit from Waqas Shah a year ago. They customised it perfectly and got it to me in good time. I thought their customer service was good. The outfit was beautiful. I have never had more compliments.
A year later, I asked if they would make me an outfit for a wedding, but gave them the challenge of getting it to me in 3 weeks! I'm in the UK. They immediately said yes. Several days later, I asked if they would make my sister an outfit and customise it entirely, and deliver for the same date. They agreed. I was delayed in getting the measurements to them, but they still managed to get both outfits to me in good time for the wedding. The outfits were absolutely beautiful, and fitted like a dream.
But what sets this dressmaker/designer apart from other designers, is their customer service. They are incredibly reliable, and honest, which can be a rare thing, when ordering from Pakistan. If they promise to do something they will do it, AND do it incredibly well. I am so impressed by their attention to detail, the quality of their clothes and their customer service.
Truly truly an impressive experience from start to finish, on BOTH occasions, showing this is not a fluke, but a determination to provide their customers with the best experience. They truly delivered. I can't praise them highly enough. I will continue using them."
— Zaiban, United Kingdom, reviewed on Google
"I ordered 3 dresses from UK and the quality of fabric and work is fabulous and classy. I'm personally satisfied from their services, everything is properly managed and the delivery of the dress is on the time."
— Maria Khan, United Kingdom, reviewed on Google
Delivery to the United Kingdom
Shipping is free on every order, with no delivery charge at checkout.
Your piece is made first. Making time depends on what you order — Luxury Pret takes about 4 weeks, Luxury Formals 5 to 6 weeks, and full Bridals 2 to 3 months. Ready to Ship pieces leave within 24 to 48 hours.
Once dispatched, DHL delivery to the UK takes a further 7 to 14 days. Every parcel is trackable and you receive the tracking number the moment it leaves Lahore.
Making time and delivery time are separate. For a bridal order, plan on 3 to 4 months from placing the order to having the dress in your hands. If your date is tighter than that, message us before you order rather than after — we can often work to a deadline, but we would rather tell you honestly whether it is possible.
Duty and VAT on UK orders
Your order is shipped DDU — delivered duty unpaid — so UK import charges are payable by you, not by us. It is worth understanding how they work before you order.
The £135 line. Consignments with an intrinsic value of £135 or less arrive free of customs duty. Above £135, customs duty applies at the rate set by the commodity code for the item. Most of our bridal and formal pieces sit above £135, so duty will normally apply.
VAT applies either way. The £135 threshold relieves duty only, never VAT. Import VAT is charged at the standard 20% rate on the customs value, which includes the goods plus freight, plus any duty already added.
Plus a clearance fee. DHL charges its own customs clearance or handling fee, typically in the region of £8 to £15, on top of the duty and VAT.
How it works in practice: DHL clears your parcel, then contacts you directly before delivery to collect what is owed. You pay DHL, not us, and the parcel is released once that is settled.
We cannot tell you the exact figure in advance, because it depends on the commodity code for your particular piece and its declared value. What we can do is declare your order accurately and provide the documentation DHL needs, so clearance is as quick as possible.
One change worth knowing about: the UK government has confirmed that the £135 customs duty relief will be removed by October 2028. After that, duty is expected to apply to parcels of any value. It does not affect orders placed today, but if you are reading this later, check the current position.
UK sizing
Our sizes run XXS to XL. Converted to UK sizes:
XXS — UK 2
XS — UK 4–6
S — UK 8–10
M — UK 12–14
L — UK 16–18
XL — UK 20–22
Every product page carries a full size chart with the garment's flat measurements in inches and centimetres, plus the model's own measurements and the size she is wearing, so you can judge the fit against something real rather than a label.
Made-to-measure from the UK
Because you cannot try before you buy, made-to-measure matters more when ordering from abroad. Most designs can be made to your own measurements at no extra cost — including sleeve length, neckline depth and waist fit.
Our team will walk you through taking your measurements over WhatsApp before your order goes into production, and will confirm them back to you. Message us on +92 304 1100123.
Shop Pakistani bridal and formal wear
Bridal Lehenga Choli
Bridal Dresses
Nikkah Dresses
Mehndi Dresses
Reception Dresses
Luxury Formals
Questions before you order
Ordering couture from another country is a leap of faith, and we would rather answer your questions first. WhatsApp +92 304 1100123 or email waqasshahofficial@gmail.com.
Full terms are on our Shipping Policy and Refund Policy pages.