The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has revised hallmarking charges for gold and silver articles ahead of the festive shopping season. The changes were notified through the BIS (Hallmarking) Amendment Regulations, 2026, dated September 14, 2026, and took effect from the date of publication.
Hallmarking is used to verify the purity and fineness of precious-metal jewellery. In India, hallmarked jewellery carries key identification details, including the BIS mark, purity or fineness and the six-digit Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number.
Gold Hallmarking Fee Increased to ₹75
Under the revised rules, jewellers submitting gold articles to recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centres (AHCs) will now pay ₹75 per article. The earlier charge was ₹45, making the increase ₹30 per article, or about 66.7%.
The minimum hallmarking charge for a gold consignment remains ₹200. For silver articles, the fee remains unchanged at ₹35 per article, with a minimum consignment charge of ₹150.
The revised structure also specifies the amount payable by AHCs to BIS. For gold, the charge is ₹7.50 per article, subject to a minimum of ₹20 per consignment. For silver, the corresponding charge is ₹3.50 per article, with a minimum of ₹15 per consignment. Applicable taxes are charged separately.
Why Lightweight Jewellery May Be More Affected
The hallmarking charge is calculated per article rather than according to the weight of the jewellery. This means the same ₹75 fee applies whether a gold item is very light or weighs several grams. BIS also states that hallmarking charges are applicable per article and are not based on the weight of the jewellery.
Industry representatives have raised concerns that the flat increase could have a greater impact on lightweight and lower-value gold jewellery. The Gem & Jewellery Council (GJC), for example, has sought a review of the revised fee structure, saying that the increase could disproportionately affect lighter ornaments.
What the New Charges Mean for Jewellery Buyers
The revised hallmarking fee comes just before the festive and wedding shopping period, when demand for gold jewellery typically increases. For jewellers, the higher per-article charge becomes an additional cost associated with hallmarking.
However, the ₹30 increase in the hallmarking fee does not automatically mean that every customer will pay exactly ₹30 more for each gold jewellery item. The final price of jewellery also depends on factors such as the gold price, making charges and applicable taxes.
Customers buying hallmarked jewellery should check the BIS mark, purity or fineness and the six-digit HUID number before completing their purchase.
The revised BIS hallmarking fee structure is now effective, with gold charged at ₹75 per article and silver continuing at ₹35 per article, subject to the respective minimum consignment charges.