The shop charged me more than MRP. Is that allowed?
Simple answer
No. A packaged product cannot be sold above the MRP printed on it, and the MRP already includes all taxes. 'Cooling charges' or extra GST on top are not allowed. Complain to the National Consumer Helpline or your state's Legal Metrology department.
Real-life examples
Joseph bought a cold drink marked ₹40 MRP at a highway shop in Kerala. The shopkeeper took ₹50, calling the extra a 'cooling charge'. That is selling above MRP. Joseph kept the bill and a photo of the bottle and complained on 1915.
Priya ordered bottled water with her dinner at a restaurant and was billed more than its MRP. The Supreme Court has held that hotels and restaurants serving it as part of their service are not bound by the MRP rule.
What should you do?
- 1Ask for a bill, and take a photo of the MRP printed on the pack.
- 2Politely tell the seller that charging above MRP is not allowed, and ask for the extra money back.
- 3Call 1915 or use the NCH app to register a complaint with the bill and photo.
- 4Complain to your state's Legal Metrology department (Controller of Legal Metrology). Its officers can inspect the shop and penalise it.
- 5For a bigger loss, file a consumer complaint on e-Jagriti. Being charged above the printed price is a valid ground.
Exceptions & limits
- Hotels and restaurants serving packaged items as part of a meal or service can charge more than MRP (Supreme Court, 2017).
- Loose items that are not pre-packed have no MRP, so this rule does not cover their price.
- Selling below MRP is allowed. MRP is the maximum price, not a fixed price.
Official legal reference
Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 — Rule 18(2)
No retailer, wholesaler, manufacturer, packer or importer may sell a packaged item above its retail sale price (MRP).
Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011 — Rule 2(m)
Retail sale price (MRP) is the maximum price at which a packaged item may be sold to the consumer, including all taxes.
Legal Metrology Act, 2009 — Section 36
Penalty for selling pre-packaged goods in breach of the Act and the packaging rules, such as above-MRP sales.
Consumer Protection Act, 2019 — Section 2(6)(iv)
You can file a consumer complaint if charged more than the price displayed on the goods or their package.
Federation of Hotel & Restaurant Associations of India v. Union of India (2017)
Supreme Court: hotels and restaurants serving packaged water as part of their service are not bound by MRP rules.
Where to get help
National Consumer Helpline
Free pre-litigation help to resolve complaints with sellers and service providers.
e-Jagriti (Consumer Commission e-filing)
File a case before the District, State or National Consumer Commission online.
Source & status
- Applies to
- All of India
- Law in force since
- 1 Apr 2011
- Legal review
- Draft — awaiting lawyer review
Educational information, not legal advice for your case. Exact facts and the law that applies matter — speak to a lawyer before acting.