Short answer: Corporate gifting in India in 2026 means choosing a per-person budget (₹150-₹40,000), working to a MOQ of 50 pieces for branded items, and a 7-15 working day turnaround with a GST-registered vendor. Meru Gifting has run this process for 250+ institutions since 2012.
Updated September 2026.
What is corporate gifting and why does it matter in 2026?
Corporate gifting is the planned giving of branded or curated items to employees, clients or partners to mark a festival, a milestone, or simply say thank you. In India it sits inside HR, admin or marketing budgets and follows a calendar built around Diwali, joining dates, anniversaries and client renewals. Meru Gifting, the gifting studio of Meru Trophy (Bangalore's awards partner since 2000), has handled this process for teams at Tanishq, HDFC Bank, Infosys, Amazon and 250+ other institutions.
Done well, a gift signals that a company noticed someone's contribution. Done badly, with a generic pen and a logo slapped on, it signals the opposite. This guide covers budget, catalogue, personalisation, timeline, tax and vendor selection, in the order buyers usually ask them.
How much should a company budget per person?
Most Indian companies work in four price bands: token gifts ₹150-₹500, standard gifts ₹500-₹1,500, premium gifts ₹1,500-₹5,000, and executive gifts ₹5,000-₹40,000. The right band depends on who is receiving the gift and why.
| Band | Price per person | Typical use | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Token | ₹150-₹500 | Event giveaways, large teams | PU diary, LCD desk clock |
| Standard | ₹500-₹1,500 | Festival or joining gifts | Steel bottle, wireless charger |
| Premium | ₹1,500-₹5,000 | Clients, senior staff | Leather stationery set, Dharohar mementos |
| Executive | ₹5,000-₹40,000 | Leadership, key accounts | Metal tree showpieces, recognition plaques |
What can I buy across Meru Gifting's four collections?
Meru Gifting organises its catalogue into four collections: Corporate Gifts (312 items - drinkware, tech, diaries), Festive Hampers (231 items), Artisanal Mementos (410 items, the Dharohar range), and Customised Orders (128 items). Together they cover token giveaways to leadership showpieces.
Wooden Lid Vacuum Bottle with Gift Box and Pouch 500 ml (MGH 2241)₹750 · MOQ 50 branded
PU Diary with Gold Metal Plate (8030-40)₹290 · MOQ 50 branded
Bamboo Wireless Charger with Cable Organiser (9028-18)₹750 · MOQ 50 branded
Lekhan Personalised Leather Stationery Set₹2999 · MOQ 50 branded
Aarambh Tree of Life Metal Showpiece₹899
Bodhi Prabha — Golden Tree of Wisdom Showpiece₹6999
How does personalisation and branding work?
Meru Gifting brands items by laser engraving, UV printing, screen printing or embroidery depending on the material, and offers individual-name personalisation for diaries, bottles and hampers at scale. A free mock-up with your logo is prepared before any bulk order is confirmed, so nothing goes to production unapproved.
- Share your logo file, brand colours and product shortlist over WhatsApp or a video call.
- Meru Gifting sends a free digital or physical mock-up.
- You approve the mock-up, quantities and delivery address list.
- Production runs 7-15 working days for standard branded orders.
- Items ship pan-India, with brand-colour packaging on request.
What is a realistic order timeline?
Standard branded bulk orders take 7-15 working days from mock-up approval to dispatch. Diwali is the busiest season, so orders should go in 4-6 weeks ahead of the festival. Bespoke or fully artisanal Dharohar pieces, which involve individual craft families, need longer lead times than stock branded items.
What are the tax and GST rules for corporate gifts in India?
Employee gifts up to ₹5,000 per employee per financial year are exempt as a perquisite under Income-tax Rule 3(7)(iv); the excess above ₹5,000 is taxable in the employee's hands. On GST, input tax credit on goods given as gifts is blocked under Section 17(5)(h) of the CGST Act, and gifts to employees exceeding ₹50,000 in a year are treated as a supply. Meru Gifting is GST registered and issues GST invoices regardless - confirm the accounting treatment with your CA.
How do I choose a corporate gifting vendor near me?
Look for a vendor with a physical studio you can visit, a documented MOQ, GST registration, and GeM status if you work with government or PSU clients. Meru Gifting's studio is at #273/2, SC Road, 2nd Cross, Gandhinagar, Bengaluru 560009, open Mon-Sat 9 AM-7 PM, with walk-ins and video-call shopping welcome. Teams outside Bangalore can order remotely - see the Bangalore corporate gifts page or explore city pages for Mumbai, Delhi, Hyderabad and 15 other cities.
Ready to plan your 2026 gifting calendar?
Share your headcount, budget and occasion on WhatsApp and Meru Gifting will send a shortlist and a free mock-up within a day.
Is corporate gifting tax-free in India?
Employee gifts up to ₹5,000 per employee per financial year are exempt as a perquisite under Income-tax Rule 3(7)(iv). Anything above that is taxable in the employee's hands. Confirm the treatment with your CA before finalising a budget.
What is the minimum order quantity for branded corporate gifts?
Meru Gifting's MOQ for branded items is 50 pieces. Artisanal and unbranded Dharohar pieces can be ordered in smaller quantities.
Can I get a GST invoice for corporate gifts?
Yes, Meru Gifting is GST registered and issues GST invoices for every order. Input tax credit on gifts is blocked under Section 17(5)(h) of the CGST Act, so ask your accountant how to book the expense.
How early should I order for Diwali?
Place Diwali orders 4-6 weeks ahead. Standard branded bulk orders take 7-15 working days; bespoke or artisanal Dharohar pieces need longer.
Does Meru Gifting deliver outside Bangalore or India?
Yes. Meru Gifting ships pan-India to 25+ states and internationally to the USA, UK, UAE, Singapore, Australia, Canada, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
