By Meghna Sharma Ekart is one of India’s major logistics networks and is closely associated with Flipkart’s e-commerce operations. It now offers an official Courier Booking Partner programme through which entrepreneurs and existing courier businesses can accept and book parcels.
The current opportunity is not a traditional delivery-hub franchise. The partner runs a parcel-booking counter, while Ekart manages pickup, transportation and final delivery through its logistics network.
Is an Ekart Franchise Available in India?
Yes, Ekart officially offers a Courier Booking Franchise or Channel Partner opportunity. Partners can book customer-to-customer, business-to-customer and business-to-business shipments, including documents, standard parcels, large shipments and air-express consignments.
The company describes this as a counter-booking model rather than a delivery or warehouse franchise. Applicants should be cautious about agents offering delivery hubs, large fleets or exclusive territorial rights unless Ekart confirms the arrangement directly.
Ekart Franchise Cost in India
Ekart does not publish one fixed rupee investment for its official booking-counter programme. The company states that there is no franchise fee, security deposit or royalty. The model is mainly designed for applicants who can use an existing shop, office, courier counter and staff.
An applicant starting from scratch may still need to pay for:
- Shop rent, deposit and counter furniture
- Computer, printer and weighing scale
- Internet, electricity and employee salaries
- Local registration and business insurance
- Initial wallet recharge and working capital
These are self-funded operating expenses, not charges collected by Ekart as a franchise fee. An existing courier or retail business may require only a modest additional setup. Ekart says that no new property or major physical alteration is necessary when the partner already has suitable infrastructure.
Franchise Fee, Deposit and Royalty
Ekart’s official programme follows a zero-fee structure. Partners receive a competitive base shipping rate and can decide the final customer price and profit margin according to their local market.
The partner must still cover rent, employees, equipment, electricity and other routine expenses. The onboarding documents should clearly explain:
- Initial wallet funding
- Shipment rates
- Volumetric and actual-weight calculation
- Return-to-origin charges
- Taxes and billing cycles
- Other service-related deductions
Ekart states that return-to-origin charges apply at the same rate as forward shipping. Applicants should include these expenses when calculating profit.
Location and Space Requirement
Ekart does not publish a fixed minimum shop area for the official counter-booking model. Its FAQ says the programme is intended to use the partner’s existing hub infrastructure and staff without requiring a separate new property or major alteration.
The premises should have enough space for:
- A customer-service counter
- Computer or laptop
- Printer
- Parcel-weighing scale
- Temporary parcel holding
- Basic employee workspace
The counter should be accessible to walk-in customers, online sellers and local businesses. A commercial shop near a residential market, office area or small-business cluster may generate regular parcel bookings.
Some independent franchise listings suggest approximately 150 to 180 square feet, but Ekart does not confirm this as a universal official requirement.
Eligibility for an Ekart Franchise
Ekart says that any individual or business owner may apply if they can arrange the basic infrastructure and staffing needed for daily parcel operations. Applicants should be willing to serve both walk-in customers and corporate shipping clients.
A suitable applicant should ideally have:
- A commercial counter, office or existing courier business
- Ability to manage parcel bookings accurately
- Basic computer and customer-service skills
- Employees for regular operating hours
- Knowledge of the local business market
- Clean identity, banking and business records
- Secure temporary parcel-storage facilities
- Funds for wallet recharge and working expenses
The official application requires applicants to confirm that they are above 18 years of age. Previous courier or logistics experience may help, but Ekart does not publicly state that it is compulsory.
Documents That May Be Required
Ekart’s onboarding FAQ says that the partner must provide KYC documents, bank details and the counter or hub location.
Applicants should keep the following documents ready:
- Aadhaar card
- PAN card
- Address proof
- Passport-size photographs
- Cancelled cheque or bank proof
- GST details, where applicable
- Business-registration records
- Shop ownership papers or rent agreement
- Photographs of the proposed counter
The exact list may depend on the applicant’s business structure. Documents should be submitted only through Ekart’s official portal or a verified representative.
Training and Support Provided
Ekart provides partners with a shipment-booking portal, real-time tracking, a wallet-based payment system and a ticketing facility for shipment escalations. Partners may also receive branding assistance, marketing support and guidance from a dedicated account manager.
Ekart handles parcel pickup, transportation and last-mile delivery. The counter partner can therefore focus on:
- Finding local customers
- Accepting parcels
- Entering shipment details correctly
- Collecting customer payments
- Supporting individual and business clients
- Promoting the booking counter locally
Profit and Expected Return
Ekart states that a counter may potentially become profitable within one year by booking approximately 30 to 35 parcels per day. This is a promotional projection and not a guaranteed return.
Actual earnings will depend on:
- Daily parcel volume
- Shipment weight
- Base shipping rates
- Final customer pricing
- Local competition
- Shop rent
- Employee salaries
- Return-to-origin charges
- Other operating expenses
Because there is no royalty, the partner can retain the margin between Ekart’s base rate and the final customer price after covering business expenses.
How to Apply for an Ekart Franchise
Visit Ekart’s official franchise page and complete the enquiry form with your:
- Name
- Contact number
- Email address
- City
- Pincode
- Company name, where applicable
- Business background
Applicants may also create an account through Ekart’s official Elite Portal. An Ekart representative may contact the applicant and guide the account setup.
Before going live, the partner must complete KYC verification, provide bank and counter-location details and make the required initial wallet recharge. Submission of an application does not guarantee approval.
Beware of Fake Ekart Franchise Offers
Ekart’s official counter-booking programme does not charge a franchise fee, security deposit or royalty. Any person demanding these payments while promising immediate approval should be treated cautiously.
Apply only through Ekart’s official website or Elite Portal. Never transfer money to a personal bank account, share OTPs or banking passwords, or submit sensitive documents through an unverified WhatsApp number or lookalike website.
Confirm the representative’s identity, wallet instructions and commercial documents before making any payment.
Final Word
Ekart currently offers a low-investment parcel-booking counter model rather than a conventional delivery-hub franchise. There is no official franchise fee, security deposit or royalty, and existing shop owners may be able to begin without major property or renovation expenses.
The partner must still arrange basic infrastructure, employees and wallet funding. Use the official application route and obtain all operating and pricing terms in writing before starting the business.