Tipping a grocery delivery driver around the world
Tipping a grocery delivery driver is customary in 7 of the 15 countries we track, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Italy, and 3 more. In the United States, 15–20% of subtotal, $5 minimum. It is unusual or unwelcome in the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, and 2 more.
Grocery and supermarket delivery services. Customs vary widely — here is what to expect country by country.
Europe
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇬🇧United Kingdom | Unusual | £0 for supermarkets (Tesco/Sainsbury's policy bars it); £1–2 for app couriers |
| 🇫🇷France | Optional | €1–2 in cash; not expected |
| 🇮🇹Italy | Appreciated | €2–5 cash, more for large orders |
| 🇪🇸Spain | Appreciated | €2–5 cash, more for large orders |
| 🇩🇪Germany | Optional | €1–2 if you tip at all |
North America
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸United States | Expected | 15–20% of subtotal, $5 minimum |
| 🇨🇦Canada | Expected | 10–15% of order, $5 minimum |
| 🇲🇽Mexico | Expected | 20–50 MXN delivery; 5 MXN per bag to the cerillo in-store |
Asia
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇯🇵Japan | Unusual | ¥0 |
| 🇨🇳China | Unusual | ¥0 |
| 🇰🇷South Korea | Unusual | ₩0 |
| 🇹🇭Thailand | Optional | Optional ฿20–50 in-app or in cash |
Oceania
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇺Australia | Unusual | Generally nothing; A$2–5 only for very large orders |
South America
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇧🇷Brazil | Appreciated | R$5–R$10 cash on delivery |
Middle East
| Country | Expectation | Typical amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇪United Arab Emirates | Appreciated | AED 5–10 per delivery |
Tipping a grocery delivery driver: common questions
Do you tip a grocery delivery driver?
It depends on the country. Tipping a grocery delivery driver is expected or appreciated in 7 of the 15 countries we track — including the United States, Canada, Mexico, Italy, Spain, and 2 more — and is unusual in the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, and 2 more.
How much do you tip a grocery delivery driver?
In the United States, 15–20% of subtotal, $5 minimum. Across all countries the usual range is 10–20% of the bill. Amounts vary by country — see the table above for each one.
Which countries expect you to tip a grocery delivery driver?
A tip is genuinely expected in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. In these countries staff often rely on tips as part of their income.
Where should you not tip a grocery delivery driver?
Tipping a grocery delivery driver is unusual or can cause awkwardness in the United Kingdom, Japan, South Korea, China, and Australia. A polite thank-you is enough.
Should you tip a grocery delivery driver in cash or by card?
Cash is the safer choice in the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, and 2 more, where card tips may not reach staff. Elsewhere adding the tip to a card payment is normally fine.