Zomato, Swiggy, Blinkit Orders to Cost More: Here’s Why
Starting September 22, 2025, your favorite online food and grocery orders are likely to get more expensive. The Indian government has announced a new tax rule that will directly impact platforms like Zomato, Swiggy, and Blinkit, and the cost is expected to be passed on to you, the customer.
The New GST Rule
In its 56th meeting on September 3, 2025, the GST Council made a key change to India’s tax laws. It mandated that e-commerce and quick commerce platforms must now pay an 18% Goods and Services Tax (GST) on their delivery services.
Previously, delivery charges were often exempt from this tax, but the new rule reclassifies them, placing the responsibility of paying the 18% GST directly on the companies themselves.
How Will This Affect You?
According to industry reports, these companies are planning to pass the new tax burden on to their customers to avoid a hit to their revenue. This means you can expect to see an increase in the delivery fees or platform charges you pay for each order.
For example, on a typical food order, you already pay a restaurant GST, a platform fee, and packing charges. The new 18% GST on the delivery fee will be an additional cost added to your bill. This will make your total order value higher.
A senior executive at a food delivery company told a news portal that passing on this cost is their only option. “You can expect delivery fees going up, or even delivery partner earnings taking a hit,” the executive said.
Who is Affected?
This change applies to any e-commerce platform that charges a delivery fee, including:
- Food delivery: Zomato, Swiggy
- Quick commerce: Blinkit, Zepto, and others
While companies that offer subscription services might not see the same impact, as they already pay for premium access, the majority of online shoppers will likely feel the pinch of these higher charges. The GST Council’s recommendation to include “local delivery services” under Section 9(5) of the CGST Act is the official reason for this new tax burden on these platforms.