Ordering food online is about to get pricier for millions of Indians as leading delivery platforms Zomato, Swiggy, and magicpin revise their platform fees ahead of the festive rush. The hikes come just days before a new 18% GST levy on delivery charges kicks in from September 22, further squeezing customers’ wallets.
Swiggy has raised its platform fee to ₹15 (inclusive of GST) in select markets, while rival Zomato has increased its fee to ₹12.50 per order, exclusive of GST. Magicpin, the third-largest player, has revised its fee to ₹10 per order but clarified that it has long been paying 18% GST on delivery costs, meaning no additional burden for its users.
Industry estimates suggest that after the GST levy takes effect, Zomato customers will pay around ₹2 more per order, while Swiggy users could see an increase of about ₹2.6.
Platform fees, which started as a marginal add-on, have now become a steady revenue stream for food-delivery companies struggling with rising operational costs. The simultaneous hikes underline a broader trend: India’s food delivery sector is at an inflection point, where affordability and convenience may no longer go hand in hand.
While e-mail queries to Zomato and Swiggy remained unanswered, a magicpin spokesperson told PTI:
“Recent GST changes do not impact our cost structure. Our platform fees will remain at ₹10 per order, the lowest among major food delivery companies.”
As festive season cravings rise, so do delivery costs—reminding customers that convenience now comes with a heavier price tag.