Get ready to shell out more cash for your next online food or grocery delivery. Starting September 22, 2025, the government is slapping an 18% GST on all delivery charges. This decision was made at the GST Council meeting on September 3rd.
Until now, that delivery fee you paid was tax-free, but that’s all changing.
What’s Really Happening?
Basically, big online companies like Zomato, Swiggy, Zepto, and even Amazon will now have to collect and pay this 18% tax on the delivery fees they charge you. Since delivery is a huge part of their business, it’s a big deal for them.
Don’t expect these companies to eat the cost, though. Everyone thinks they’ll just pass the extra expense straight to us, the customers.
How Bad Is It for Your Wallet?
Let’s break it down. Say you order food worth ₹500. You’re already paying GST on the food itself. On top of that, you pay a delivery fee. Now, that delivery fee will also have an 18% tax added to it. It all adds up, and your final bill will definitely be higher.
The government is doing this to make the tax rules more consistent, treating delivery like any other service you pay for.
Who’s Going to Feel This the Most?
The main people who will be affected is regular users of these apps. If you’re someone who orders in a few times a week, you’ll notice the difference for sure.
Folks with premium subscriptions like Zomato Gold or Swiggy One might not see a big change since their delivery fees are often waived. But for the rest of us, that online order just got a bit more expensive.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. So what exactly is this new tax? It’s an 18% GST (Goods and Services Tax) that will be added only to the delivery fee part of your bill. The tax on your food or grocery items remains the same.
2. When does this new charge start? This will kick in from September 22, 2025. Any order you place on or after that date will have this tax on the delivery fee.
3. Does this apply only to Zomato and Swiggy? Nope. It applies to pretty much all e-commerce platforms that charge for delivery. This includes food apps like Zomato and Swiggy, and also quick commerce/grocery apps like Blinkit, Zepto, Amazon, and Flipkart.
4. I have Zomato Gold/Swiggy One. Will I be charged? You’re mostly safe. Since your subscription usually gives you free delivery, there’s no delivery fee to add tax to. However, if there’s ever a situation where you do have to pay a delivery fee (maybe for a restaurant that’s very far away), that specific fee will be taxed.
5. Can you give me a simple example? Sure. Let’s say your delivery fee for an order is ₹50. The new tax will be 18% of ₹50, which is ₹9. So, your total delivery cost will now be ₹59 (₹50 + ₹9). It doesn’t sound like much, but it’ll add up over time.
6. Why is the government doing this now? They want to make the tax system more consistent. The government sees delivery as a service, just like a taxi ride or a haircut, and those services already have GST. This change just brings delivery services under the same rule.
