Can stores charge you for carry bags: Here’s all you need to know

Popular fashion brand Lifestyle was directed to pay Rs 3000 to a customer as a compensation for charging Rs 7 for a paper shopping bag. Earlier this year, a company was asked to pay Rs 26000 as charged Rs 10 for a cotton carry bag with the brand logo.

The issue of brands charging for paper shopping bags has gained prominence in recent years. This became a part of shopping ritual after single use plastic bags were banned in India. While the customers are informed about the extra charges at the time of billing by customer incharge, commissions have time again stated that customers must not be charged for paper bags. 

What the rules say? 

As per rules, any brand, retailer, or shopkeeper cannot charge consumers for plastic, paper, or cloth carry bags if it carries their company's logo. This is because it is believed that bags with logos printed on them act as advertisement agents for the brand. 

Rule 15 of the Plastic Waste Management (Amended) Rules, 2018, which specifically addressed the pricing of plastic bags, has been omitted. Consequently, vendors and retailers are not permitted to impose a price on bags. If any brand violates this rule, consumers have the right to file a complaint in a consumer forum under Section 12 of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986, for unfair trade practices. However, to avoid the legal hassle customers often end up paying the extra amount. 

If a brand wishes to charge a customer for a bag, it is mandatory that the customer is intimated beforehand about the extra charges. And the extra charge can only be added to the bill after the customer gives consent for the same.