Marketing

16 Best Courier Services in Pakistan (2026): Rates, COD and How to Join

Short answer: There is no single best courier service in Pakistan: it depends on what you send. TCS and Leopards lead for urgent documents and branch reach. For an online store that needs cash on delivery, PostEx, Leopards Retail COD and Daraz DEX are the practical picks. Pakistan Post is the cheapest at Rs 260 for a 1 kg registered parcel, and DHL, FedEx and UPS lead for parcels abroad.

Key takeaways

  • 16 couriers and 3 aggregators compared on their official pages: prices, coverage, joining documents, COD payout time and ratings. Checked 10 November 2026, key prices rechecked 12 November.
  • Published prices for 1 kg from Lahore to Karachi range from Rs 260 (Pakistan Post registered parcel) to Rs 850 (TCS Express Delivery). Speed and service level differ, so compare like with like.
  • The easiest COD account to open is a walk in one. Leopards Retail COD asks for a CNIC copy and a cheque, has no minimum volume and pays weekly.
  • COD payout time is the real difference for sellers: PostEx advertises upfront payment, Barq Raftar says 2 days, Daraz DEX says 3 to 5 business days, Leopards Retail COD says within a week.
  • Couriers must deduct 2% income tax from COD payments to online sellers, under section 153(2A) of the Income Tax Ordinance.
  • Rider, Movex, Swyft, Cheetay and Call Courier are left out: no working website, or merged into another company.

“Which courier should I use?” is one of the first questions new online sellers ask me. Most lists repeat company slogans, so this one sticks to what each company publishes: every price, document list and rating comes from an official page or a named source, checked on 10 November 2026. Where a company publishes nothing, I say so.

My own experience first, stated plainly: we have shipped with TCS, BlueEx worked well for us, and Trax (now SLGTrax) was a good option at the time we used it. That is not a test of how each company performs today, which is why the rest of this guide leans on published prices, documents and public ratings.

No courier paid to be on this list and there are no affiliate links to any courier here. This is education, not legal or tax advice. Prices and terms change, so confirm on the linked page before you book.

Best courier services in Pakistan at a glance

#CourierBest forPublished priceCOD payout
1TCSUrgent documents, widest branch networkYes, online calculatorNot published
2Leopards CourierWalk in COD for small sellersYes, online calculatorWithin a week (Retail COD)
3M&PCorporate and bulk shippingNoNot published
4Pakistan PostLowest price, villages, heavy parcelsYes, official tariffBy money order
5Daewoo FastExBulky cargo between bus terminalsCalculator on siteNot published
6PostExOnline stores that need cash quicklyYes, public calculatorUpfront, as advertised
7SLGTrax (Trax)Stores that also need warehousingNoNot published
8BlueExOpen box and exchange deliveriesNoNot published
9Daraz DEXSellers who want a marketplace grade networkNo3 to 5 business days
10Barq RaftarSimple flat rates for small storesYes, rate tableWithin 2 days
11SpeedafGoods moving between China and PakistanNoNot published
12Stallion DeliveriesBulk cargo with CODNoConflicting, see below
13BykeaSame hour delivery inside a cityIn appInstant to wallet
14DHL ExpressFast international documents and parcelsQuote toolNot applicable
15FedEx (Gerry’s)International business shipmentsBy quoteNot applicable
16UPSInternational, with a public tariffYes, tariff guideNot applicable

“Not published” means I looked on the official site and the company does not state it. In those cases you get the figure from a sales representative after you apply.

To make the list, a courier needed a working official site and helpline, a public statement of its services, coverage or prices, a way for an ordinary person or small seller to sign up or walk in, and something independent to check, such as app ratings, a stock exchange filing or dated press coverage. Coverage numbers are company claims that nobody audits, and there is no official ranking, so treat the numbering as my judgment, not a league table.

What does it cost to send 0.5 kg and 1 kg?

Five couriers publish a price that anyone can check. I ran the same routes on each one. On 12 November 2026 I rechecked Leopards, Pakistan Post and Barq Raftar and found no change; TCS and PostEx figures are from 10 November.

Courier and service0.5 kg within Lahore1 kg within Lahore0.5 kg Lahore to Karachi1 kg Lahore to Karachi
TCS Express DeliveryRs 330Rs 530Rs 550Rs 850
TCS Retail CODNot offeredRs 310Not offeredRs 500
Leopards OvernightRs 325Rs 450Rs 535Rs 670
Pakistan Post UMSRs 130Rs 180Rs 250Rs 350
Pakistan Post registered parcelRs 260Rs 260Rs 260Rs 260
PostEx (public calculator)Rs 157Rs 172Rs 274Rs 305
Barq Raftar (before fuel and GST)Rs 150Rs 150Rs 250Rs 320
Bar chart of courier prices in Pakistan for 1 kg from Lahore to Karachi: TCS Rs 850, Leopards Rs 670, Pakistan Post UMS Rs 350, PostEx Rs 305, Pakistan Post registered parcel Rs 260
Published price for 1 kg from Lahore to Karachi. Source: official calculators and tariffs, checked 10 November 2026.

How to read this table honestly:

  • TCS totals include the fuel surcharge and GST, as shown by its calculator. The Retail COD row starts at 1 kg.
  • Leopards totals are service charge plus fuel charge from its rate calculator. The page does not say whether GST is included.
  • Pakistan Post figures come from the UMS tariff effective 1 October 2026, which says the rates include GST. The 1 kg UMS figures are my arithmetic from the slabs. Registered parcel is a slower service with one price up to 1 kg. Businesses that post Rs 10,000 or more a month get UMS discounts of 30% to 75% under the same tariff.
  • PostEx figures come from its public price calculator and include a 35% fuel surcharge and 16% GST. PostEx is a merchant service, and its page says final rates depend on your account.
  • Barq Raftar lists base rates on its pricing page. Its terms add a fuel adjustment, GST and Rs 15 per flyer.

These are not like for like. TCS and Leopards overnight services are next day, walk in products with a branch on almost every main road. PostEx and Barq Raftar are merchant accounts with pickup from your address. Pakistan Post is the slowest and the cheapest. Pick on what you need, not only on the smallest number.

Nationwide all rounders: best for individuals and offices

1. TCS: best for urgent documents and the widest branch network

TCS says it started in 1983 with 25 shipments on its first day. Today it claims more than 1,000 Express Centres, 2,500 plus locations, 4,500 plus vehicles and its own chartered cargo aircraft. Those are company figures.

  • Services: overnight, same day documents in 11 main cities, second day, economy boxes of 5 to 25 kg, Overland for heavy cargo to around 200 cities in 36 to 72 hours, COD, international, warehousing.
  • Price: Rs 330 for 0.5 kg within Lahore and Rs 850 for 1 kg from Lahore to Karachi on Express Delivery. Economy 5 kg from Lahore to Karachi came to Rs 1,825.
  • How to send one parcel: walk into an Express Centre or book a pickup. Helpline 111 123 456.
  • COD for sellers: Retail COD opens at any Express Centre with “no subscriptions, no hidden fees, no minimum shipments”. The full e-commerce account form asks for your CNIC number, NTN, selling medium (Facebook, WhatsApp, website, Instagram) and an IBAN, plus photos of both sides of your CNIC.
  • COD payout: not published. The site only says “timely payment clearance”.
  • If something goes wrong: the terms limit liability to Rs 100 per kg for parcels inside Pakistan unless you insure, and claims must be made in writing within 30 days. Insurance is quoted at 0.5% to 2% of declared value.
  • Customer feedback: Trustpilot shows 1.1 out of 5 from 329 reviews on its older tcs.com.pk profile, with delivery delays the common complaint.

Verdict: the widest walk in network and a transparent calculator, but the highest price in my table, a low liability cap (insure anything valuable) and no published COD payout time.

2. Leopards Courier: best walk in COD for small sellers

Leopards also dates from 1983 and was founded by Jehangir Shahid. It does not publish a current count of branches or cities, so I will not quote one.

  • Services: overnight (next working day nationwide), same day, economy from 5 kg in two to three days, Overland from 10 kg, COD, international in collaboration with UPS, warehousing and fulfilment.
  • Price: Rs 325 for 0.5 kg within Lahore and Rs 670 for 1 kg from Lahore to Karachi on Overnight.
  • How to send one parcel: walk in, or ask for a pickup before 4 pm, Monday to Saturday. Leopards says pickup is free. UAN (021) 111 300 786.
  • COD for sellers: Retail COD is the simplest COD route I found. You give your name, CNIC and mobile number, your bank name and IBAN, and your brand name and address. The documents are “just a copy of CNIC and cheque”. There is no minimum monthly volume.
  • COD payout: weekly, “within a week” of delivery, straight to your bank account. In October 2025 Leopards also launched a merchant wallet with Neem for faster settlements.
  • Delivery rules: deliveries run 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Saturday, with up to 2 attempts.
  • Customer feedback: Trustpilot shows 1.2 out of 5 from 147 reviews.

Verdict: clear written COD rules, no minimum volume, free pickup and prices a little under TCS. Corporate rates come only from sales, and a weekly payout is slow if your cash is tight.

Leopards currently shows a scam alert on its site about fake job advertisements using its name. No real courier asks you to pay for a job or a parcel release by phone. If you get such a message, see my scam alert page.

3. M&P: best for corporate and bulk shipping

M&P (Muller and Phipps Express Logistics) was incorporated in 1986. It claims 1,600 plus domestic locations, 200 plus international destinations, 3,500 plus staff and 12,000 plus corporate clients. It also absorbed OCS Pakistan.

  • Services: overnight within 24 to 48 hours, same day inside Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore, second day in 48 to 72 hours, boxes from 5 to 30 kg, COD, international, warehousing and temperature controlled logistics.
  • Price: not published. The cost calculator page on its website returned an error when I checked, so you need a quote.
  • COD for sellers: Retail COD works at any courier centre after a one time registration, with “no limitations on minimum shipment quantity”. Documents and payout days are not published. Helpline (021) 111 202 202.
  • If something goes wrong: maximum liability is US$100 per shipment for total loss of a non document parcel, and claims must be made within 30 days.
  • Customer feedback: the MyM&P app is rated 2.6 from 331 reviews on Google Play and was last updated in August 2024. Trustpilot shows 1.3 from 125 reviews.

Verdict: a large network, strong corporate services and a higher liability limit than TCS, but no public prices, an app that looks unmaintained and little written detail for small sellers.

4. Pakistan Post: best for the lowest price and remote areas

Pakistan Post is the government postal service under the Ministry of Communications. The Economic Survey 2025 to 26 counts 9,695 post offices, most of them rural, which is why it reaches places private couriers skip.

  • Services: UMS (its express product), registered letters and parcels up to 30 kg and beyond, value payable parcels, UMS-COD, insurance, and international mail including EMS and EMS Plus. Same day delivery runs in 29 cities.
  • Price: a registered parcel costs Rs 260 up to 1 kg, Rs 540 up to 5 kg, Rs 760 up to 10 kg and Rs 1,660 up to 30 kg. UMS is Rs 250 for 500 g city to city. These rates took effect on 1 October 2026.
  • How to send one parcel: walk in to a post office counter. No account is needed. Helpline 111 111 117.
  • COD for sellers: the UMS-COD tariff for walk in customers is Rs 110 up to 250 g and Rs 150 up to 500 g city to city. The declared value cannot exceed Rs 100,000, and cash above Rs 50,000 is collected at the post office window. Your money comes back by Urgent Money Order. An older rate sheet adds a money order fee of Rs 135 to Rs 250, and I could not confirm whether that still applies, so ask at the counter.
  • If something goes wrong: insurance costs Rs 20 per Rs 1,000 of value up to Rs 10,000. Complaints go to the Pakistan Post complaint cell, and after that to the Federal Ombudsman.
  • Customer feedback: there is no Trustpilot page, and the app link on the official site was dead when I checked.

Verdict: by far the cheapest, with public prices that include GST and the best village coverage. It is slower, I found no home pickup, and on 20 October 2026 the communications minister told the Senate that staff cuts and privatisation are being considered.

5. Daewoo FastEx: best for bulky cargo between cities

FastEx is the cargo arm of the Daewoo Express bus service. Cargo started with the buses in 1998 and was rebranded FastEx in 2017. The company lists 85 franchises and 62 company run cargo centres, though the page is undated.

  • Services: Smart Cargo from terminal to terminal with a same day promise on bus routes, Daewoo Courier for home delivery, COD, and DHL counters at Daewoo terminals for international parcels.
  • Price: there is a tariff calculator by terminal and weight, and it says GST and all taxes are included. I could not get it to return figures, so I have no sample price.
  • How to send one parcel: drop it at a Daewoo terminal or cargo point and the receiver collects at the other end, or pay for home delivery in major cities. Helpline 042 111 007 009.
  • If something goes wrong: insurance is a flat 2% of the item’s market value, and claims must be made within 30 days.
  • Customer feedback: the FastEx app is rated 2.7 from 263 reviews on Google Play.

Verdict: buses run all day, so terminal to terminal cargo is fast and suits heavy or awkward items. Away from Daewoo routes it is weak, home delivery is limited and COD terms are not published.

E-commerce and COD specialists: best for online sellers

6. PostEx: best for online stores that need cash quickly

PostEx was founded in 2019 according to Profit, or 2020 according to TechCrunch. It bought Call Courier in August 2022 and has raised US$15.9 million. It claims 600 plus destinations and a 92% delivery success rate.

  • Services: next day delivery, same day in select cities, COD, returns management, financing, and payment at the door by Raast QR or card.
  • What makes it different: upfront payment on COD orders. PostEx says the money is transferred when it picks up your parcel, instead of weeks later. In 2024 its CEO told TechCrunch that over 80% of merchants joined for this feature.
  • Price: Rs 157 for 0.5 kg within Lahore and Rs 305 for 1 kg from Lahore to Karachi on the public calculator, including fuel and GST. The fee for upfront payment, the COD fee and return charges are not published.
  • How to join: fill the online signup form with your name, company, website, business category and average monthly orders. The lowest option is 0 to 100 orders, so no minimum is stated. PostEx collects your CNIC and NTN. It is a merchant service, not a counter for one off parcels. Helpline (042) 111 786 227.
  • Customer feedback: the PostEx Business app is rated 3.7 from 158 reviews and the Merchant app 2.9 from 118. Trustpilot shows 1.1 from 230 reviews.

Verdict: the cheapest published private rate in my table, and upfront cash solves the biggest problem small stores have. Get the fee for that upfront cash in writing before you sign; the public reviews are harsh.

7. SLGTrax (formerly Trax): best when you also need warehousing

Trax merged into Secure Logistics Group, a company listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange under the symbol SLGL. The Islamabad High Court approved the merger on 5 May 2025, and the group is rated A+ by PACRA. The old trax.pk address now opens the SLGTrax site.

  • Network: “over 160 locations”, with a stated target of 200 plus cities and towns by the end of 2026. The group also claims over 500 vehicles and 1.6 million square feet of warehousing.
  • Services: e-commerce courier with COD, document and gift delivery, warehousing and fulfilment, bulk movement, and short term financing against COD receivables through a licensed lending subsidiary.
  • How to join: a partner form asks for your company name, CNIC number, city, average shipments per week, average COD amount and an NTN if you are registered. Walk in Express Centers also offer COD. UAN 021 111 118 729.
  • Price and payout: not published.
  • Customer feedback: the new Pulse merchant app is rated 4.6 from only 23 reviews. The older trax.pk Trustpilot page shows 1.2 from 112 reviews.

Verdict: a listed, rated company with audited accounts and storage plus delivery under one roof, but a smaller stated network than the big three and no price before you talk to sales.

8. BlueEx: best for open box and exchange deliveries

BlueEx is the brand of Blue-Ex Limited, listed on the GEM board of the Pakistan Stock Exchange. The company was incorporated in 2005 and moved into e-commerce logistics in 2011. It claims 400 plus cities and 35 stations.

  • Services: COD, same day in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, next day and two day express, fulfilment centres, open box delivery, swap delivery for exchanges, and plugins for Shopify, WooCommerce and Magento.
  • How to join: its terms list the documents: bank account title, client or company name, pickup address, CNIC copy and a contact person. UAN 021 111 258339.
  • Rules worth knowing: minimum chargeable weight is 0.5 kg, three delivery attempts per shipment, refused parcels come back with return charges, and liability is limited to Rs 100 per domestic consignment unless you insure. Advance payments cost 1.5% per month.
  • Price and payout: not published.
  • Customer feedback: Trustpilot shows 1.9 from just 12 reviews, too few to judge.

Verdict: open box and swap delivery cut refusals for clothing and electronics sellers, and the terms are written down clearly. The liability cap is very low, there are no public prices, and when I checked, its site paused orders for several towns in Azad Kashmir.

9. Daraz DEX: best for a marketplace grade network

DEX is the delivery arm of Daraz, set up in 2018. Since November 2025 it has been open to sellers who do not sell on Daraz, as CW Pakistan reported. It says it covers more than 100 major cities.

  • Services: last mile delivery with COD and an API. Local deliveries are promised within 24 hours and deliveries between provinces within 72 hours.
  • How to join: register through the DEX site or email dex.pk@daraz.com. You need business registration documents or a valid CNIC, plus a bank statement or a scanned cheque. Give 3 to 4 working days notice for your first pickup. Hotline 0213 828 2276.
  • COD payout: usually within 3 to 5 business days of delivery.
  • Rules worth knowing: up to three delivery attempts, no pickup charges, and shipments are not insured automatically.
  • Price: from your sales representative.
  • Customer feedback: Trustpilot shows 2.0 from 11 reviews, again a tiny sample.

Verdict: the same network that handles Daraz sale days, with a stated payout window and no pickup fee. You deal with a sales representative, not a self service signup, and its official site still loads without a valid security certificate.

10. Barq Raftar: best for simple flat rates

Barq Raftar is a Lahore based e-commerce courier and one of only two COD couriers here that publish a rate table.

  • Price: Rs 150 within a city up to 1 kg, then Rs 50 per extra kg. To a different zone it is Rs 250 up to 500 g and Rs 320 up to 1 kg, then Rs 100 per extra kg. Fuel adjustment and GST are added, flyers cost Rs 15 each, and a refused parcel costs Rs 100 to return.
  • How to join: an online register form with contact details and pickup address. Bank details are optional at signup.
  • COD payout: within 2 days of delivery, according to its terms.
  • Customer feedback: its customer app is rated 4.3 from only 28 reviews.

Verdict: you can work out your delivery cost before you sign anything, and the return fee is fixed. It does not publish its city coverage, and its terms mention a 2 kg minimum chargeable weight that conflicts with the 500 g slab, so get that clarified in writing.

11. Speedaf: best for goods moving between China and Pakistan

Speedaf is a Chinese logistics company founded in 2019 with ZTO as an early shareholder. It entered Pakistan in September 2021 and runs warehouses in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Multan.

  • Services: international shipping, fulfilment, local delivery with COD, and returns.
  • Price and joining: a quote form and a login on its Pakistan site. Documents, rates and payout time for Pakistan are not published.
  • Customer feedback: only global ratings exist (app 2.0, Trustpilot 1.3), none specific to Pakistan.

Verdict: a fit for sellers who import from China and want one company from the Chinese warehouse to the Pakistani doorstep, but almost nothing is published for Pakistan and the global ratings are weak.

12. Stallion Deliveries: best for bulk cargo with COD

Stallion Deliveries claims a network of over 65 cities. Its app is published by ARY Services Limited.

  • Services: COD delivery, bulk cargo, door to door heavy parcels and cash in transit.
  • Price: by quote. Cash handling charges apply on outstation deliveries, and the client pays both delivery and return charges on refusals.
  • COD payout: unclear. Marketing pages on its website promise a 24 hour payback, while the terms say payment arrives within one week.
  • Rules worth knowing: the company states that it does not provide insurance. Phone 0348 111 7575.
  • Customer feedback: its app shows 5.0 from only 5 reviews, which tells you nothing yet.

Verdict: it takes heavy parcels that e-commerce couriers often refuse, but offers no insurance, no public rates and two different payout promises on the same site.

Instant delivery inside a city

13. Bykea: best for same hour delivery within a city

Bykea is a ride and delivery app. A rider collects a parcel from you and takes it straight to the receiver in the same city.

  • Services: instant delivery that the Play listing describes as a 45 minute service, optional parcel insurance, and COD, where the cash is credited to your Bykea wallet as soon as the rider collects it.
  • Price: shown in the app before you confirm.
  • Who can use it: anyone with the app. There is no account opening.
  • Customer feedback: 4.8 out of 5 from 163,000 reviews and more than 10 million downloads on Google Play, by far the strongest app rating in this guide. Its small Trustpilot page shows 2.0 from 13 reviews.

Verdict: nothing delivers inside a city faster, and the cash reaches your wallet at once. It does not go between cities, and it suits only items that fit on a motorbike.

International couriers: best for sending abroad

14. DHL Express: best for fast international documents and parcels

DHL Express serves Pakistan through its MyDHL+ site and says it reaches over 220 countries and territories.

  • How to send: create a shipment as a guest or open an account, get a rate and transit time from the quote tool, and schedule a pickup. Daewoo FastEx also runs DHL counters at its terminals.
  • Price: there is no public rate card for Pakistan that I could open. DHL says account holders save up to 30%.

Verdict: speed, a quote tool anyone can use and tracking across borders, but it is expensive for light parcels and you see the price only after entering full details.

15. FedEx (Gerry’s): best for international business shipments

FedEx has operated in Pakistan since 1989, and Gerry’s is its Global Service Participant here. Gerry’s says it has over 400 employees, 2 hubs and more than 22 service centres.

  • How to send: through a Gerry’s FedEx service centre or an account. FedEx is also one of the two partners that deliver Pakistan Post EMS Plus parcels abroad.
  • Price: by quote. I could not open the FedEx Pakistan pages to confirm any figure, so I am not quoting one.

Verdict: a long local presence through Gerry’s and a strong network to North America, but few service centres compared with domestic couriers and no published price for Pakistan.

16. UPS: best when you want a public international tariff

UPS is run in Pakistan by Universal Logistics Service, its authorised service contractor. It is the only international courier here with a public tariff guide for Pakistan.

  • Price: on Express Saver, a 0.5 kg package costs US$101.20 to zone 1, which includes England and Saudi Arabia, and US$125.70 to zone 4, which includes Canada. An express envelope costs US$41.65 to zone 1. These are list rates effective from 22 December 2024, before fuel surcharge and taxes.
  • Rules worth knowing: the maximum is 70 kg per package, billable weight uses length times width times height divided by 5,000, and cover above US$100 costs US$6.10 for each extra US$100 of value.
  • How to send: schedule a collection on the UPS Pakistan site or call +92 21 111 669 877. Leopards also sells international shipping in collaboration with UPS.

Verdict: you can see the list price before you call anyone, but list rates are high for small sellers and the newest guide I found is the 2025 edition.

Courier aggregators: one account, many couriers

An aggregator is not a courier. It gives you one dashboard and books each parcel with a partner courier. That is useful if you are too small to negotiate rates yourself.

AggregatorCouriers it listsCost to joinCOD payout, as statedWatch for
FlashipLeopards, M&P, TCS, Daewoo, Trax, PostEx and othersFree, pay per shipmentTo wallet on delivery, bank withdrawal in 1 to 2 business daysIts terms say it is not liable for a partner courier’s delays or losses
Oshi CourierTCS, Leopards, M&P, DEX, Trax, PostExFree, rates “from Rs 99”Every 48 hours on one line, weekly on anotherIts own pages disagree on payout time and city count
InstaWorldRoutes to partner couriersCustom quote, no minimumSame day, as claimedSeller counts on its site vary from 2,500 to 25,000

Flaship asks for store details, your CNIC and a bank account, and says approval is instant for most sellers. I could not find independent reviews for any of the three beyond small app ratings, so start with a few low value orders. You can read their terms at Flaship, Oshi Courier and InstaWorld.

Names on other lists that I left out, and why

Many “best courier” articles still recommend companies that I could not confirm are working. Here is what I found on 10 November 2026.

NameWhat I found
Call CourierIts site says “Call Courier is Now PostEx” and redirects tracking to PostEx
RiderThe official domain shows a hosting placeholder with a broken security certificate. Status not confirmed
MovexSame placeholder page. Status not confirmed
Swyft LogisticsThe website does not load, and Trustpilot marks it as closed. No press confirmation found
CheetayProfit reported on 18 January 2024 that it was preparing to shut down. The domain no longer resolves
SpeedexThe domain is listed for sale
OCS PakistanAbsorbed by M&P, according to M&P’s own timeline
DCS CourierThe site is live but its footer is dated 2020 and its rates page is empty
TezzActive, but lists only 9 cities and pays COD weekly
SkyNetActive for international shipping, quote only, and too little is published to compare
AramexI could not open its Pakistan pages, so I have nothing verified to report

COD in Pakistan: the numbers that matter

Cash on delivery still runs online shopping here. Karandaaz, in a May 2024 statement with PostEx, put COD at approximately 90% of transactions. The State Bank does not publish a COD share. Its figures count digital payments only, and its November 2025 review says accounts and wallets make up 93% of online e-commerce payments.

Returns are the hidden cost. In March 2022 the president of TCS said around 15 to 20% of COD orders were returned, against 2 to 5% of prepaid orders. That is one executive’s figure, not a study. You will see return rates of 30% or more quoted on vendor blogs. I could not find a source for those, so I do not repeat them.

On every refused COD parcel you pay delivery, you pay the return, and you still have the product. Your courier bill is decided by your return rate more than by your rate card.

Muhammad IsmailShare on XWhatsApp

How fast does each courier pay your COD money?

Bykea credits your wallet instantly and PostEx advertises payment at pickup (its fee for this is not published). Barq Raftar says within 2 days, Daraz DEX 3 to 5 business days and Leopards Retail COD within a week. Pakistan Post pays by Urgent Money Order. TCS, M&P, SLGTrax, BlueEx and FastEx do not publish a payout time, so ask before you sign.

COD payout time by courier in Pakistan: Bykea and PostEx same day, Barq Raftar 2 days, Daraz DEX 3 to 5 days, Leopards Retail COD within a week
COD payout time as stated by each company. Source: company websites and terms, checked 10 November 2026.

How to open a COD courier account, step by step

The process is similar everywhere.

  1. Decide your volume honestly. Under about 100 orders a month, start with a walk in product such as Leopards Retail COD or TCS Retail COD, or with an aggregator.
  2. Keep these ready: CNIC copy, a bank account in the same name with its IBAN, a cheque or bank statement, your pickup address, and your store or social page link.
  3. Get an NTN if you do not have one. The law now tells couriers not to serve unregistered e-commerce sellers, and several forms ask for it. My guide on how to become a filer in Pakistan covers the NTN and return steps.
  4. Apply online or at a branch, then ask the sales contact for four things in writing: the rate card by weight and zone, the COD and return charges, the fuel surcharge, and the payout cycle.
  5. Send your first 10 to 20 parcels as a test. Track delivery time, returns and when the money actually lands.
  6. Only then move your full volume, and keep a second courier active as a backup.
CourierDocuments statedMinimum volumeDifficulty (my view)
Leopards Retail CODCNIC copy, cheque, bank name and IBANNoneEasy
TCS Retail CODRegistration at an Express CentreNoneEasy
Barq RaftarOnline form, bank details optionalNot statedEasy
Flaship (aggregator)Store details, CNIC, bank accountNoneEasy
Daraz DEXCNIC or business documents, bank statement or chequeNot statedMedium
BlueExCNIC copy, bank account title, address, contact personNot statedMedium
PostExSignup form, CNIC and NTN collectedNone statedMedium
TCS e-commerce accountCNIC photos, NTN, IBAN, business detailsNone statedMedium
SLGTraxCNIC number, NTN if registered, volumesNot statedMedium

No courier on this list publishes a security deposit. If someone asks you for a “registration fee” in cash to open a courier account, stop and call the official helpline first.

Taxes and charges that change your real cost

The rate card is only the start. These are the extras I found in the official terms.

  • Fuel surcharge: added on top of the base rate. PostEx applies 35% of the base in its calculator. On the Leopards routes I tested it worked out to about 10%. TCS shows it as a separate line.
  • Sales tax on the courier fee: Pakistan Post’s own UMS tariff (effective 1 October 2026) lists the rates it applies: 16% in Islamabad and Punjab, 15% in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, and 13% in Sindh. PostEx’s calculator also adds 16% on Lahore routes. Private couriers can bill differently, so check your invoice.
  • Income tax on COD payments: under section 153(2A) of the Income Tax Ordinance, a courier collecting cash on delivery for an online seller deducts 2% of the gross amount. Payment gateways deduct 1% on digital payments. Section 181(1A) also bars couriers from serving e-commerce vendors who are not registered. Ask a tax adviser how this applies to you.
  • Volumetric weight: light but large boxes are charged on size. TCS, Leopards, BlueEx and UPS all use length times width times height in centimetres, divided by 5,000.
  • Return charges: you usually pay again when a parcel is refused. Barq Raftar charges Rs 100. BlueEx and Stallion bill return charges. Leopards Retail COD advertises no return fees.
  • Liability caps: without insurance, compensation is small. TCS caps it at Rs 100 per kg inside Pakistan, BlueEx at Rs 100 per consignment, and M&P at US$100 per shipment. Insurance costs 0.5% to 2% at TCS, 5% at Leopards and 2% at FastEx.

In March 2026 Profit reported that courier companies raised delivery charges by 17% after a fuel price increase. It did not name the companies, but it shows how quickly these numbers move.

Sending a parcel abroad: what it costs

Pakistan Post is the low cost route, and its EMS Plus service is handed to UPS or FedEx for delivery in 238 destinations. The Economic Survey says EMS Plus delivers within 2 to 5 days.

ServiceTo the USATo the UKTo the UAE
Pakistan Post international parcel, first kgRs 7,500Rs 7,300Rs 2,500
Pakistan Post EMS, first kgRs 12,000Rs 8,100Rs 4,600
Pakistan Post EMS Plus, merchandise 500 gRs 6,120Rs 4,900Rs 4,860

The parcel rates are from the parcel tariff effective 12 March 2026. The EMS and EMS Plus figures are read from scanned rate sheets dated March and May 2026, so confirm them at the counter before you quote a customer. For comparison, the UPS list rate for a 0.5 kg package to England is US$101.20 before surcharges. Every item with goods needs a customs declaration, and Pakistan Post will not carry currency, gold, jewellery or passports.

If you sell services, not goods, you do not need a courier at all. My guide to freelancing in Pakistan covers how to get paid from abroad.

If your parcel is lost, late or damaged

  1. Complain to the courier first, in writing, with the tracking number and booking receipt. TCS, M&P and FastEx all set a 30 day limit for claims.
  2. Ask for the complaint number and keep screenshots of the tracking history.
  3. If the courier does not resolve it, a consumer court is the next step for a private courier. In Sindh, the Consumer Protection Act requires a written notice to the company, gives it 15 days to reply, and expects a claim to be filed within 30 days of the cause of action. Other provinces have their own consumer laws, so check the rule where you live.
  4. For Pakistan Post, use its complaint cell, then the Federal Ombudsman on 1055.

There is no courier regulator in Pakistan to complain to. The Asian-Pacific Postal Union’s country page for Pakistan says no authority licenses or regulates postal operators, and that a Courier and Logistics Regulatory Authority Bill is still under consideration in Parliament. That is why the written terms and insurance matter so much.

If the problem is a fake courier call or a COD parcel you never ordered, my scam complaint help page explains where to report it.

Which courier should you choose?

Your situationStart withWhy
One urgent document or giftTCS or LeopardsBranch nearby, next day, price known in advance
Cheapest possible parcel, no hurryPakistan PostRs 260 up to 1 kg, public tariff
New online store, under 100 orders a monthLeopards Retail COD or an aggregatorNo minimum volume, simple documents
Growing store where cash flow is the problemPostExUpfront COD payment, low published rate
Store that needs storage and packing tooSLGTrax or BlueExWarehousing and fulfilment with delivery
Clothing or electronics with many refusalsBlueExOpen box and swap delivery
Delivery in the same city within the hourBykeaInstant rider, cash to wallet
Furniture, machinery or 20 kg plusDaewoo FastEx, TCS OverlandBuilt for heavy cargo
Samples or products going abroadPakistan Post EMS Plus, then DHL, FedEx or UPSLower price first, speed when it matters

Checklist before you hand over a parcel

  • Weigh and measure the box, and work out the volumetric weight
  • Get the price from the official calculator or in writing
  • Ask the payout day for COD and note it
  • Ask the return charge and the number of delivery attempts
  • Insure anything worth more than the liability cap
  • Keep the booking receipt and a photo of the packed item
  • Save the tracking number and the official helpline, not a number from a text message

Courier services in Pakistan FAQ

Which is the cheapest courier service in Pakistan?

Pakistan Post. A registered parcel costs Rs 260 up to 1 kg anywhere in the country, and UMS is Rs 250 for 500 g city to city, GST included. Among private couriers with public rates, PostEx (Rs 305 for 1 kg Lahore to Karachi) and Barq Raftar (Rs 320 before fuel and GST) are the lowest, but both are merchant accounts, not walk in counters.

Which courier is best for COD in Pakistan?

For a new store, Leopards Retail COD is the easiest to open: a CNIC copy and a cheque, no minimum volume, weekly payout. If cash flow is the problem, PostEx advertises payment at pickup. Test 10 to 20 parcels before you move all your orders, and keep a second courier as a backup.

How many times will a courier try to deliver my parcel?

It depends on the company. Leopards makes up to 2 attempts, while BlueEx and Daraz DEX make up to 3. TCS makes a second attempt the following day. After the last attempt the parcel is returned to the sender, usually at the sender’s cost.

What items do couriers refuse to carry?

TCS lists currency, jewellery, bullion, antiques, liquor, precious metals and stones, firearms, plants, drugs, explosives, animals and perishables. Pakistan Post has a similar list for international mail and adds passports, bank notes and blank cheques. Sending a banned item can void any claim.

Do couriers deliver on Sundays and public holidays?

Standard delivery is Monday to Saturday. Leopards states 9 am to 5 pm on those days. TCS offers holiday delivery in 12 named cities, and both Leopards and M&P sell holiday delivery as a paid extra. Bykea runs on demand, including Sundays.

Can my customer pay the rider by card or mobile wallet?

Sometimes. PostEx offers payment on delivery through Raast QR codes and debit or credit cards. Most other couriers on this list describe cash collection only, so ask before you promise it to a customer.

Choose a courier the way you would choose a business partner: read what it puts in writing, test it with a few parcels, and keep a backup. If you are just starting to sell online, my guide to online earning in Pakistan covers the next steps, the free playbooks give you a plan to follow, and you can send me your own question through Ask Ismail.

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