Food delivery platforms Swiggy and Zomato, which recently hiked delivery charges, are now set to pass on more costs to customers. Starting from September 22, an 18 percent Goods and Services Tax (GST) will be applicable on delivery charges. This move is expected to make online food orders more expensive for millions of users across India.
According to initial estimates, Zomato may collect an additional ₹2 per order from customers, while Swiggy could charge about ₹2.6 extra. Though the amount appears small, regular users believe the cumulative cost will significantly impact monthly food budgets.
Industry experts state that the GST rollout on delivery charges will directly affect affordability and customer frequency of ordering. They argue that this taxation could dampen the rapid growth of India’s food delivery sector.
Customers have expressed concerns on social media, saying online ordering is steadily becoming less pocket-friendly. With rising fuel costs and platform surcharges already burdening consumers, the new GST adds another layer of expense.
