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Cash on delivery in Pakistan: a guide for Shopify stores

By the COD Confirmation teamUpdated 2 min read

In Pakistan, most online orders are paid with cash on delivery, so returned parcels are a major cost for e-commerce stores. Confirm every order on WhatsApp before booking it with the courier, write in English or Roman Urdu, collect a complete address with a nearby landmark, and follow up quickly when a delivery attempt fails.

Key takeaways

  • Cash on delivery is the main payment method for online orders in Pakistan.
  • Confirm every order on WhatsApp before booking it with the courier.
  • Roman Urdu messages feel natural to many customers.
  • Collect a landmark and a reachable number to avoid failed deliveries.

How cash on delivery works in Pakistan

For most Pakistani online shoppers, paying on delivery is the default. The courier delivers, collects rupees (PKR) and pays the store back after deducting charges. Some couriers also offer faster payouts or financing against COD receivables, which can help cash flow, but none of it helps if the parcel comes back.

Why COD orders get returned in Pakistan

  • Impulse orders from Facebook, Instagram and TikTok ads.
  • Customers who don’t answer the courier’s call on delivery day.
  • Addresses without landmarks, especially outside Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.
  • Duplicate and fake orders placed with no intention to buy.
  • Long delivery times to smaller cities.

Couriers and delivery

Pakistani stores commonly work with TCS, Leopards Courier, M&P, Trax, PostEx, BlueEX and Call Courier, among others. Compare their COD charges, coverage by city, delivery speed, return charges and payout frequency, and consider using different couriers for different regions.

Confirming COD orders in Pakistan

WhatsApp is everywhere in Pakistan, and many customers chat in Roman Urdu. A confirmation in Roman Urdu feels natural:

Roman Urdu
Assalam o Alaikum {{1}} 👋 {{2}} se order karne ka shukriya! Order: {{3}} Delivery par raqam: {{4}} Address: {{5}} Order confirm karne ke liye neeche button dabayein.
✅ Order confirm karein
❌ Order cancel karein

Tips for Pakistani stores:

  • Confirm before booking the courier, so cancelled orders never cost shipping.
  • Ask for a nearby landmark when the address looks incomplete.
  • Call unanswered high-value orders with a short call script.
  • Offer prepayment through a bank transfer or mobile wallet for high-risk orders.

More messages: WhatsApp COD confirmation templates.

Checklist for COD stores in Pakistan

  • Confirm every order on WhatsApp before booking it.
  • Require a valid Pakistani mobile number.
  • Collect city, area and a landmark.
  • Track returns by city, product, ad campaign and courier.
  • Review repeat refusers before shipping again.

Questions merchants ask

Can’t find the answer you’re looking for? Email info@usewhapi.com.

Is cash on delivery the main payment method in Pakistan?
Yes. Card payments and mobile wallets such as JazzCash and Easypaisa are growing, but most online shoppers in Pakistan still choose cash on delivery, especially from stores they haven’t bought from before.
Which couriers do Pakistani online stores use?
Commonly used options include TCS, Leopards Courier, M&P, Trax, PostEx, BlueEX and Call Courier, among others. Compare their COD charges, coverage outside major cities, delivery times and how quickly they pay out the collected cash.
Should I write confirmations in Urdu or English?
Many stores use Roman Urdu (Urdu written in Latin letters) on WhatsApp because it’s how many customers chat every day. English also works well, and you can use Urdu script if your audience prefers it.

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