Rs 10 charge for carry bag, retailer pays Rs 30K

The District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission in Davangere, Karnataka has ordered Zudio to pay Rs 30,000 and cease charging customers Rs 10 for carry bags. The ruling, passed on August 10, 2026, stems from a complaint filed by a customer who was charged for the bag after purchasing goods.

According to Section 36 of the Sale of Goods Act, 1930, sellers must ensure goods are in a deliverable state. The commission held that a carry bag is a necessary component for this, and charging separately for it amounts to an unfair trade practice and a violation of the Act.

Zudio argued that customers were informed of the charge and presented documents including an authorization letter, a RE Bag policy, a welcome board, and a photo of a carry bag. However, the commission deemed this insufficient.

The court ordered Zudio to refund the Rs 10 collected from the complainant, pay Rs 5,000 in compensation and Rs 5,000 for litigation expenses, and deposit Rs 20,000 to the Consumer Legal Aid fund. Total repayment is set at Rs 30,010, due within 30 days. Non-compliance would result in interest at 6% per annum until payment.

While the order specifically targets Zudio, the commission emphasized it applies to all retailers, including malls, D-Mart, Big Bazaar, Reliance, and similar establishments. It stressed that cloth merchants and grocery shops often provide free bags, and large retailers buying in bulk have no justification for charging customers for bags.