Shipping
Where do you ship from and to?
Every MaltiDhar saree is shipped directly from Varanasi or our sourcing partners in India. We currently deliver to all emirates across the UAE and to GCC countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman. If you are located outside the GCC and would like to place an order, please contact us on WhatsApp at+971 52 503 6272and we will do our best to arrange shipping for you.
How long does delivery take?
This depends on which collection you are ordering from.
For The Malti Collection (powerloom sarees), orders are dispatched within 2 to 3 business days and delivered within 5 to 7 business days across the UAE and GCC.
For The Giridhar Collection (pure handloom sarees), each piece is woven to order on a traditional pit loom in Varanasi. Depending on the complexity of the weave and the design, this takes between 15 and 45 days. Once weaving is complete and quality checked, your saree is dispatched directly from India. Total delivery time for handloom pieces is 15 to 25 days from the date of order.
If you need a handloom saree by a specific date — for a wedding, a milestone, or a gift — please message us on WhatsApp before ordering and we will give you an honest timeline.
Why does a handloom saree take so long?
Because it is made for you after you order it. A weaver in Varanasi sits at a traditional pit loom and builds your saree thread by thread — a process that cannot be rushed without compromising the craft. A heavily brocaded piece with real zari can take up to 45 days of continuous work before it is ready.
When you choose a handloom saree from MaltiDhar, you are not buying something sitting in a warehouse. You are commissioning a piece of craft. We think that is worth knowing — and worth waiting for.
How much does shipping cost?
Shipping to the UAE is free on all orders above Dhs. 500. For orders below Dhs. 500, a flat fee of Dhs. 25 applies. GCC shipping rates are calculated at checkout based on your location and order weight. International shipping outside the GCC is available on request — please contact us on WhatsApp for a quote.
Will I receive tracking information?
Yes. Once your order is dispatched from India, you will receive a tracking number via email or WhatsApp. For handloom orders, we will also send you a message when your saree enters the weaving stage and again when it is dispatched — so you always know where things stand.
Do you offer express delivery?
Express delivery is available for Malti Collection (powerloom) orders within the UAE. For Giridhar Collection handloom pieces, express delivery is not possible — the weaving timeline is fixed by the craft, not by logistics. If you need a saree urgently, please message us on WhatsApp and we will tell you honestly what is achievable.
Some things are worth the wait.
Every handloom saree in the Giridhar Collection is woven after you place your order. The weaver does not know your name — but they know the pattern, the thread count, and the hours it takes to get it right. That process cannot be shortened. What arrives at your door 15 to 25 days later is not a product that was sitting in storage. It is something that did not exist until you chose it.
We appreciate every customer who chooses craft over convenience. It is not the easier choice. It is the right one.
Returns & Exchanges
What is your return and exchange policy?
Given the nature of handloom craft and international shipping, MaltiDhar follows an exchange and store credit policy rather than a cash refund policy. For The Giridhar Collection (pure handloom), returns are accepted only in the case of a genuine manufacturing defect or incorrect item delivered. For The Malti Collection (powerloom), we offer an exchange or store credit within 7 days of delivery for unused, unworn items in original packaging with all tags intact. We do not accept returns for change of mind on either collection.
What if my saree arrives damaged or with a defect?
Please record a clear, uncut unboxing video before opening your parcel. If your order arrives damaged or with a manufacturing defect, send us the unboxing video and photographs of the defect on WhatsApp at+971 52 503 6272within 48 hours of delivery. We will arrange a replacement or store credit at no additional cost to you. Without an unboxing video, we are unable to process damage claims for international shipments.
Are there items that cannot be returned or exchanged?
Customised or made-to-order pieces cannot be returned or exchanged unless there is a manufacturing defect. Sale items are non-returnable. Sarees that have been worn, washed, altered, or finished with fall and pico stitching cannot be returned or exchanged under any circumstances.
Who pays for return shipping?
For international returns and exchanges, return shipping costs from UAE or GCC to India are borne by the customer, except in the case of a manufacturing defect or incorrect item, where MaltiDhar will arrange and cover the return. We recommend using a tracked courier service — MaltiDhar cannot be held responsible for items lost in return transit.
How long do store credits or replacements take?
Once we receive and inspect the returned item, store credits are issued within 3 to 5 business days. Replacement pieces for defective items follow the standard delivery timeline for the collection — 7 to 10 business days for Malti Collection, 15 to 25 days for Giridhar Collection.
What about customs duties and import taxes?
All MaltiDhar orders are shipped from India. International shipments to the UAE and GCC may be subject to customs duties and import taxes levied by the destination country. These charges are the responsibility of the customer. MaltiDhar has no control over customs fees and cannot predict what they may be. If you have questions about duties applicable in your country, we recommend contacting your local customs authority before placing an order.
A note on Handloom Sarees
Every handloom saree in the Giridhar Collection is woven by hand on a traditional pit loom in Varanasi. Minor irregularities in weave, thread, or zari are not defects — they are the hallmark of human craft. No two handloom sarees are identical, and these natural variations are not grounds for return or exchange.
If you believe you have received a genuine manufacturing defect rather than a natural variation, please reach out within 48 hours of delivery with your unboxing video and photographs. We will always give you an honest answer and find a fair resolution.
We recommend recording an unboxing video for every MaltiDhar order — it protects you in the unlikely event of transit damage and allows us to resolve any issue quickly.
Every handloom saree in the Giridhar Collection is woven by hand on a traditional pit loom in Varanasi. Minor irregularities in weave, thread, or zari are not defects — they are the hallmark of human craft. No two handloom sarees are identical, and these natural variations are not grounds for return or exchange.
If you believe you have received a genuine manufacturing defect rather than a natural variation, please reach out within 48 hours of delivery with your unboxing video and photographs. We will always give you an honest answer and find a fair resolution.
We recommend recording an unboxing video for every MaltiDhar order — it protects you in the unlikely event of transit damage and allows us to resolve any issue quickly.
Need help with an order?
For anything order-related — tracking, delays, questions, or concerns — WhatsApp is always the fastest route to us.