Zomato packing charges questioned after parcel arrived covered in BFC ad

A Zomato customer’s viral complaint about “packing charges” has sparked debate online, with Indian football goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh Sandhu stepping in humorously.

The controversy began when a Twitter user, Anand (@PiratesShield), shared his frustration after ordering a shawarma from Empire Restaurant in Bangalore. The food was wrapped in packaging featuring an advertisement for Bengaluru Football Club (BFC).

Anand questioned why he was charged Rs 12 for packaging that served as promotional material for BFC. “Why do I need to pay for their advertisement? How many orders rolled out with this box for paid users?” he wrote on X (formerly Twitter).

Responding to the post, Gurpreet Singh Sandhu, who plays for Bengaluru FC, jokingly replied, “GPay number dedo bhai - wapis karta hoon 12 rupees (Give me your GPay number, brother – I’ll return Rs 12).”

While Zomato has not commented on this specific incident, the company had previously clarified similar concerns. In a past viral post about “container charges,” Zomato Care explained that packaging charges are determined and collected by restaurant partners, not Zomato itself.

The debate has drawn mixed reactions online. Some users likened the situation to shopping bags in malls, where brands advertise on the bags but charge customers for them. Others discussed the distinction between “package charge” and “packing charge,” with one user observing that the fee might be justified as a service charge for packing, regardless of advertisements.

One user suggested that Bengaluru FC’s partnership was likely with Empire Restaurant, not Zomato, highlighting a creative monetization strategy. Another opined, “If advertising is involved, packaging charges shouldn’t be passed on to the customer.”