How to get your food brand onto Swiggy Instamart
Live in 2–6 weeks with documents ready
- 1
Prepare documents
GST, FSSAI, PAN, bank, catalogue with correct HSN codes. A trademark speeds approval.
- 2
Register at partner.swiggy.com
Upload business documents → compliance verification (7–15 working days).
- 3
CM assignment
The Category Manager sets commercial terms, initial dark-store coverage and the city plan. Starting with 5–10 SKUs works best.
- 4
Listing approval and inward
Catalogue goes live; stock inwards into dark stores — with packaging, expiry and barcode QC.
- 5
Operations and growth
Bi-weekly settlements; maintain fill rate; grow visibility via the ads wallet.
Documents you need
- ✔GST registration (mandatory at any turnover — platforms collect TCS)
- ✔FSSAI license (mandatory for food)
- ✔PAN card and cancelled cheque / bank proof
- ✔Trademark certificate — a filed application (TM-A receipt) also works
- ✔GS1 EAN barcodes (micro MSMEs get an 80% subsidy)
- ✔Product photos — minimum 1000×1000 px, clean background
- ✔Most important: the business name must MATCH on every document — mismatch is the #1 rejection reason
What it costs (reported 2026 figures)
| Registration | No registration fee |
|---|---|
| Commission | 15–25% + 18% GST (category-dependent; staples lower, packaged food higher) |
| Ad wallet | Reports of ~₹25,000 starting wallets; actual spend agreed with the CM |
| Operational fees | Inwarding, storage/ageing and fulfilment charges apply separately |
| Payment | Bi-weekly (~every 14 days) settlement |
| Shelf-life gate | ~60% shelf life must remain |
Straight talk: a July 2025 press report cited ₹8–10 lakh/quarter listing-cum-ad-wallet quotes — 2026 guides don't repeat that figure, but stay alert in negotiation. We insist on every commercial term in writing.
Check your margin first →Frequently asked questions about Instamart
Why is Instamart special for regional brands?
It has the largest tier-2/3 footprint (129 cities) and 1 in 4 new users comes from tier-2/3. CMs actively look for local-taste products — namkeen, spices.
Is registration really free?
Yes, no registration fee. The costs are commission (15–25%), operational fees and ads.
What happens to unsold stock?
Instamart is 3P — unsold stock returns to you. That's why SKU selection and stock planning (what we do in the retainer) matter so much.
How many SKUs to start with?
5–10 focused SKUs — high-demand pack sizes in the ₹50–300 range. Too many SKUs makes CM approval harder.
How long does it take?
Verification 7–15 working days, then CM and listing — 2–6 weeks overall is realistic.