Cashfree Offers Zero Gateway Fee on First Rs 20 Lakh GMV in India

Cashfree Payments has announced a zero payment gateway fee offer for eligible new businesses joining its platform. Merchants signing up by March 31, 2027 can get the fee waived on their first Rs 20 lakh in gross merchandise value (GMV), according to the company.

The offer is aimed at early-stage and fast-growing sellers that receive payments through online channels. Cashfree says the plan is intended to reduce transaction costs as small businesses prepare for the festival sales period, when discounts, advertising and higher inventory requirements can put pressure on margins.

Who can use the Cashfree offer?

Cashfree's announcement says the offer applies to new merchant sign-ups completed before March 31, 2027. The zero-fee benefit covers the first Rs 20 lakh of GMV. Businesses should check the official offer terms at the time of registration, including eligible payment modes, the treatment of taxes, refunds or chargebacks, and the charges that apply after the GMV limit is crossed.

The company has not described the offer as a cash grant. Instead, it removes the applicable payment gateway fee within the announced limit, which may allow eligible sellers to retain more of their sales proceeds for inventory, advertising or logistics.

Cashfree cites festival-season sales

Cashfree Payments co-founder and CEO Akash Sinha said an average small and medium business or direct-to-consumer brand generates about 40% of its annual sales during the festival season. He added that 90% of new merchants signing up before the season record less than Rs 20 lakh in GMV during the period, meaning the announced limit could cover their festival-season volume.

"We want every SMB to have that kind of launchpad with us," Sinha said, while arguing that lower payment costs can leave businesses with more room to fund offers, inventory and other operational needs.

Next-day settlements and account support

Alongside the fee waiver, Cashfree says new merchants can begin using the platform within minutes of completing sign-up. The company is also offering next-day payment settlement instead of what it describes as a common two-day cycle, potentially helping sellers manage cash flow during peak sales.

Every merchant joining under the offer will be assigned a dedicated account manager from the time of sign-up, the company said. Cashfree positions the combination of onboarding, settlement support and waived gateway fees as a festival-season package for small businesses.

What merchants should check before signing up

Businesses considering the offer can register through Cashfree's official website before the deadline. Since payment-gateway pricing can vary by payment method and business profile, merchants should read the applicable agreement and verify settlement schedules, post-offer charges and exclusions before activating the service.