Archive · 13 Sep 2026
Zomato Adds Variable Cash-on-Delivery Fee Amid Intensifying Competition
Zomato has added a new charge for people who pay cash when their food arrives.
The charge is called a “Pay on Delivery Fee.”
It is usually ₹5, but some customers have seen higher amounts.
Reported charges have ranged from ₹6 to ₹20.
People who pay online do not pay this particular fee.
Other charges, such as platform, packaging, delivery and GST fees, can still remain.
Zomato has not explained exactly how it calculates the cash-payment fee.
Swiggy does not currently charge a similar fee.
The change comes as more companies compete in India’s food-delivery market.
Zomato has introduced a separate “Pay on Delivery Fee” for customers paying cash at delivery.
The fee is typically ₹5, but reports and screenshots show charges ranging from ₹6 to ₹20.
Zomato has not explained how the amount is determined or whether it depends on order value, location or other factors.
Customers paying online avoid the fee, while platform, packaging, delivery and GST charges may still apply.
The move comes as food-delivery competition grows, with Rapido’s Ownly, Flipkart’s Eat In and Swish expanding or attracting investment.
- Who
- Zomato customers choosing cash on delivery, with Zomato and competing food-delivery platforms involved.
- What
- Zomato introduced a separate, variable “Pay on Delivery Fee” for cash-on-delivery orders.
- When
- The fee was identified through app checks on Saturday; the articles do not provide a specific calendar date.
- Where
- India, including reporting from New Delhi and observations of Zomato’s app.
- Why
- The move comes as food-delivery platforms experiment with fee structures and monetisation amid increasing competition.
Customer perspective
Platform and market perspective
Added cost
Customer perspective
Cash-paying customers may pay more than customers using online payment, while the fee’s calculation is not clearly explained.
Platform and market perspective
A separate payment-related charge creates an additional potential revenue stream without changing the listed food price.
Payment choice
Customer perspective
Customers can avoid the fee by paying digitally, but people who prefer cash face an extra charge.
Platform and market perspective
The structure may encourage customers to use online payments, which do not attract this particular fee.
Wider fee environment
Customer perspective
The new charge adds to platform, packaging, delivery and GST charges that may already appear on an order.
Platform and market perspective
Food-delivery companies are increasingly testing small checkout charges as competition grows and they seek monetisation opportunities.
- Fee name
- “Pay on Delivery Fee”
- Typical amount
- ₹5
- Reported range
- ₹6 to ₹20 in screenshots and app checks
- Who pays
- Customers choosing cash payment when their orders are delivered
- Online payment
- Customers paying online avoid this particular fee
- Other charges
- Platform, packaging, delivery and GST charges may still apply separately
- Order volume
- Zomato handles an estimated 2.3–2.5 million food orders daily
- Theoretical revenue
- A ₹5 fee on every daily order would equal about ₹1.15–1.25 crore per day, although cash orders are only part of total transactions
Sources
Zomato Introduces ₹5 Pay On Delivery Fee Amid Rising Food Delivery Competition
Zomato introduces extra fee for cash-on-delivery orders
Paying cash for Zomato orders? You may now have to pay a separate fee
Zomato introduces Rs 5 fee for cash on delivery orders; online payments exempt
Zomato starts levying additional fee on cash-on-delivery orders
