Buying Pakistani wedding gold from the USA
For a Pakistani-American family the wedding gold decision is usually made across two markets at once: what is available at 22K in Pakistan, and what a US jeweller can supply at 14K or 18K. The purity gap, not the metal price, is what drives most families to buy in Pakistan.
22K in Pakistan, 14K in America
Mainstream US jewellery is 14K, with 18K at the higher end. Pakistani bridal jewellery is 22K, hallmarked 916. The same design in 14K contains barely more than half the gold, which is why US-bought pieces are valued so differently by relatives in Pakistan.
If the jewellery may ever be sold or exchanged in Pakistan, 22K bought in Pakistan avoids a purity argument at resale.
Set the budget in tolas
Pakistani jewellers quote per tola. Fix the tola count first and convert to dollars at the end. A dollar budget converted early goes stale as the rupee moves, and the rupee price of gold usually rises to offset rupee weakness anyway.
Add making charges to the budget explicitly. On an intricate bridal set they are a meaningful share of the total, not a rounding error.
Paying from the US
Pay by bank transfer to a business account where possible, or send to a family member who pays in person. Ask for an itemised receipt with board rate, karat, net weight and making charges written separately.
Do not wire large sums to an individual you have not dealt with, and be wary of shops that will only quote a single all-in number.
Bringing it back to the US
US Customs and Border Protection requires you to declare articles acquired abroad. Personal jewellery is declarable as an acquisition; duty may apply above your personal exemption, and rates for jewellery are relatively low but not zero.
Separately, carrying $10,000 or more in cash or monetary instruments in either direction must be reported on FinCEN Form 105. Jewellery is not currency for that rule, but declare it as goods.
Last reviewed 2026-01-15