The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has increased the mandatory hallmarking fee for gold jewellery and other gold articles just before the festive season, raising the cost for jewellers getting their products certified for purity. The charge for hallmarking a gold article has been increased from Rs 45 to Rs 75, marking a nearly 67 per cent jump. However, the fee applicable to silver articles has not been changed and continues to stand at Rs 35 per article.
The revised charges took effect immediately following the notification of the BIS (Hallmarking) Amendment Regulations, 2026, dated September 14, 2026.
Hallmarking is the certification mechanism used under the BIS framework to establish the purity of precious metal articles. A hallmarked piece carries three important identifiers: the BIS logo, the purity or fineness mark and a six-digit alphanumeric Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number.
Under the amended Schedule IV, jewellers will now be charged Rs 75 per gold article for hallmarking. A minimum charge of Rs 200 per consignment will also apply.
For silver, there is no change in the existing structure. Jewellers will continue to pay Rs 35 per article, with a minimum consignment charge of Rs 150, to recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centres (AHCs).
The higher gold hallmarking cost has triggered concerns among industry representatives, with the All India Gem and Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) asking BIS and the government to reconsider the increase.
Experts suggest that while hallmarking is important, the framework also needs to remain financially viable for businesses that comply with the regulations.
The timing of the fee increase is another point of concern for the sector. The revised charges have been introduced just before the festive period, when demand for gold jewellery traditionally receives a boost.
What Is The Gold Hallmarking Process?
Jewellers selling hallmarked jewellery are required to register with BIS. The registration process is conducted online through the BIS portal and does not carry a registration fee. Once issued, the registration remains valid for the jeweller’s lifetime.
After registration, jewellery intended for hallmarking is sent to a BIS-recognised Assaying & Hallmarking Centre. The centre tests the article to establish whether it meets the required purity standards.
If the jewellery clears the prescribed tests, the hallmarking process is completed at the centre.
BIS has also digitised the workflow at these facilities. Details generated during different stages, including receipt of the article, weighment, XRF testing, sampling, fire assay and laser marking, are recorded through the digital system and can be monitored in real time.
Once the testing process is complete, the BIS server generates a unique six-digit alphanumeric HUID code for each jewellery article. The A&H Centre then laser marks the HUID along with the BIS logo and the applicable purity mark.
For consumers, these markings provide a way to identify the certification details associated with a hallmarked gold article, while the latest fee revision changes the cost structure that jewellers face when obtaining that certification.
What It Means For Consumers?
The 67 per cent increase in gold hallmarking charges from Rs 45 to Rs 75 per article could raise the compliance cost for jewellers, but it does not necessarily mean consumers will immediately pay Rs 30 more for every gold jewellery item. The additional cost is initially borne by jewellers when jewellery is sent for testing and certification, and businesses may choose to absorb it or pass it on to buyers through overall pricing, making charges or other costs. The impact could be more relevant during the festive season, when gold jewellery demand typically rises. The revised rules also impose a minimum Rs 200 charge per consignment, which could affect jewellers depending on the number of articles they submit for hallmarking.