The dress is chosen, the embroidery is finished — and then it has to cross the world to reach you. International shipping is where many bridal orders go wrong: surprise duty invoices, parcels held at customs a fortnight before the wedding, couriers demanding payment at the door. Here is everything you need to know to make the final leg of the journey uneventful.
DDP vs DAP: the three letters that decide everything
DAP (Delivered At Place) means the seller ships the parcel and you pay import duties, VAT and courier handling fees when it arrives. DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) means all of that is settled by the seller before dispatch — the parcel arrives with nothing to pay. Most direct-from-Pakistan orders ship DAP; the duty invoice that follows routinely adds 20% or more of the declared value, plus handling fees of £15–£30. Always ask which terms apply before you pay. AÏNN London ships DDP worldwide as standard — duties and taxes are included in the checkout price, full stop.
What international shipping genuinely costs
Ordering directly from a Pakistani atelier, expect courier charges of £100–£300 for a bridal-weight parcel, plus the duty and VAT exposure above — our bridal cost guide shows how these extras add 30–40% to quotes. Ordering from AÏNN London: delivery is free on orders over £400; orders under £400 carry a flat £18 standard rate, and a £55 DHL Priority option is available when speed is everything.
Timelines: production first, shipping second
Shipping is the fast part. Express DHL reaches most of the UK, Europe, North America, the Gulf and Australia in 2–6 days, tracked door to door and insured against loss and damage. The part that needs planning is production — made-to-order bridal wear takes 6–10 weeks before it ever meets a courier. Map your dates with our full production timeline, and if your event is close, the ready-to-ship collection dispatches within days.
Five questions to ask any seller before ordering internationally
- Is the price DDP — duties and taxes included — or will charges follow on arrival?
- Which courier is used, and is the parcel tracked and insured?
- What is the production time before dispatch, in writing?
- Will I receive a video of my actual outfit before it ships?
- Who is responsible if the parcel is lost or damaged in transit?
Any hesitation on those five answers tells you everything. For how the rest of the remote process works — measurements, consultations, approval videos — read our guide to buying Pakistani bridal wear without travelling to Pakistan.
Frequently asked questions
Will I pay customs charges on my AÏNN London order?
No. We ship DDP worldwide — duties and taxes are included in your price, so nothing is owed on delivery. See our FAQs for full shipping details.
How long does DHL take to deliver internationally?
Typically 2–6 days depending on destination, with full tracking. Remember to add the 6–10 week production window for made-to-order pieces when planning.
Is my parcel insured during shipping?
Yes — shipments travel with premium DHL service insured against loss and damage, and every outfit is video-verified with you before dispatch.
Can I track my order after dispatch?
Yes — you receive DHL tracking on dispatch, and you can follow production and delivery status any time via the Track Your Order link in our site footer.
