Hallmark registration is the registration a jeweller must take from the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) before selling hallmarked gold or silver jewellery in India. The registration is online, issued immediately and carries no fee, but it brings obligations about hallmarking at a BIS-recognised centre, HUID markings and billing. This page explains who must register, the current coverage and charges as of October 2026, the process, and what BIS expects after registration.
What is BIS hallmark registration?
A hallmark is a mark on a jewellery article that certifies its purity. In India, BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centres (AHCs) test each article and laser-mark it with the BIS logo, the purity in carat and fineness, and a six-character alphanumeric HUID, the Hallmark Unique Identification code. Each article has its own HUID, and a customer can verify it on the BIS CARE app.
Hallmarking of gold jewellery has been made compulsory in phases by an Order dated 15 January 2020 and later amendments. BIS's jewellers page lists amendments including 2 March 2026, 28 April 2026 and 3 August 2026. The sixth phase from 2 March 2026 added seven districts, and the second amendment order of 28 April 2026 reportedly brings coverage to 385 districts. The permitted caratages for mandatory hallmarking are 14, 18, 20, 22, 23 and 24 carat, and 9 carat is voluntary.
To sell hallmarked jewellery, a jeweller registers with BIS. The application is made on Manak Online or NSWS. BIS states that the certificate is issued immediately, no fee is charged and the registration is valid for life. Anyone in the sale chain who sells hallmarked gold or silver, whether manufacturer, wholesaler, distributor or retailer, must be registered. The first seller in the chain gets the item hallmarked, and an article needs to be hallmarked only once.
Hallmarking charges were revised in September 2026. Under the BIS (Hallmarking) Amendment Regulations, 2026 dated 14 September 2026, the charge for gold articles rose from ₹45 to ₹75 per article, silver stays at ₹35 per article, with minimum charges of ₹200 per gold consignment and ₹150 for silver.
Who needs hallmark registration?
BIS's jewellers page says that anyone selling hallmarked gold or silver jewellery in the chain must be registered. The practical categories are:
- Retail jewellers selling gold jewellery in districts covered by mandatory hallmarking
- Manufacturers of gold jewellery who sell to retailers or wholesalers
- Wholesalers and distributors in the jewellery trade
- Jewellers whose annual turnover is up to ₹40 lakh, who are outside mandatory hallmarking but may register voluntarily
- Job-work artisans who are not in the sale chain, who may be exempt if they have supporting documents
- Online jewellery sellers who ship hallmarked articles from a covered district
Benefits of BIS Hallmark Registration
Lawful sale of hallmarked jewellery
Registration is the precondition to submit articles to an AHC and to sell hallmarked pieces in covered districts.
Customer trust through HUID
Each article carries a unique HUID that buyers can verify on the BIS CARE app, which supports confidence in your purity claims.
One-time registration
BIS states the registration is valid for life, so there is no renewal cycle to track.
No registration fee
The certificate is free; costs are only the hallmarking charges for articles you submit.
Lower dispute risk
Bills showing weight, caratage and hallmarking charge reduce purity disputes with customers.
Eligibility and applicability
Applicability depends on the product, the district and, for small sellers, turnover.
- You sell, or intend to sell, gold or silver jewellery or artefacts of notified caratage or fineness
- Your place of business is anywhere in India; the mandatory requirement applies where the district is notified, and the notified list now covers 385 districts as per the April 2026 order
- Jewellers with turnover up to ₹40 lakh are outside the mandatory regime but may register on a voluntary basis
- You have a PAN and, if applicable, a GST registration for the business, see GST registration
- Job-work artisans who are not part of the sale chain may be exempt, provided they can show documents proving that status
- Exemptions in the order, such as for very light articles or certain traditional jewellery and exports, should be verified in the current text of the Order before you rely on them
Documents required
Business documents
- PAN of the proprietor or entity
- GST registration certificate, where applicable
- Proof of constitution: partnership deed, certificate of incorporation or proprietor proof
- Shop and establishment or trade licence, see shop and establishment registration
Premises and identity
- Address proof of the shop or workshop
- Identity and address proof of the proprietor, partners or directors
- Authorisation letter or resolution for the person applying
- Photograph and contact details of the authorised person
Operational
- List of branches or showrooms to be registered
- Bank account details
- Details of the AHC you plan to use
Step-by-step process
The application is online and issued immediately on completion, so the work is mostly in preparing data and then running the hallmarking workflow properly.
Check your coverage
Confirm whether your district is covered and whether your turnover is above the ₹40 lakh level. If not covered, decide whether to register voluntarily.
Prepare business data
Gather PAN, GST, address proof and constitution documents. Keep branch details ready, because each outlet must be recorded.
Apply on Manak Online or NSWS
Create an account, choose the jeweller registration and fill in details of the entity and its premises.
Upload documents and submit
Attach the documents and submit. BIS states the certificate is issued immediately.
Download the registration certificate
Download and print the certificate. You must display it at the business premises.
Choose an AHC and submit articles
Only registered jewellers can submit articles to a BIS-recognised AHC. The centre tests, marks the HUID and returns the article.
Bill correctly
Issue bills that show net weight, caratage and fineness, and the hallmarking charge, and keep a 10x magnifier at the counter.
Government fees and charges
Registration is free. The costs arise at the assaying and hallmarking centre, and the charges for gold changed in September 2026.
| Item | Amount | Note |
|---|---|---|
| BIS jeweller registration | Nil | Online; certificate issued immediately and valid for life as per BIS |
| Hallmarking charge per gold article | ₹75 | Raised from ₹45 by BIS (Hallmarking) Amendment Regulations 2026 dated 14 September 2026 |
| Hallmarking charge per silver article | ₹35 | Unchanged |
| Minimum charge per gold consignment | ₹200 | As reported for the 2026 amendment |
| Minimum charge per silver consignment | ₹150 | As reported for the 2026 amendment |
| Consumer purity test at an AHC | ₹200 | Fee for a customer who wants to test an article, per BIS FAQ |
Professional charges are quoted separately after reviewing your case. Government fees are paid directly to the authority.
How long does it take?
BIS states that the registration certificate is issued immediately on submission of a complete application. Practical delay comes from document preparation and, later, from the turnaround at the AHC, which varies by centre and load.
| Stage | Typical time |
|---|---|
| Data and document preparation | Usually one or two days |
| Online application and certificate | Immediate as per BIS |
| Hallmarking at AHC | Varies by centre; ask your AHC |
Validity and updates
As per BIS, the jeweller registration is valid for life, so there is no renewal fee or date. You should still update the record when you open a new showroom, change address or change the proprietor or partners, and you must continue to follow the Order, regulations and billing rules. The hallmarking regulations were amended again on 14 September 2026, so review BIS notices at least twice a year.
Compliance after registration
- Display the registration certificate at every registered outlet
- Sell only hallmarked articles of notified caratages in covered districts, with a HUID on each piece
- Bill with net weight, caratage and fineness, and the hallmarking charge shown separately
- Keep a 10x magnifier available for customers
- Submit articles only to BIS-recognised AHCs, using your registration
- Teach staff to verify HUID on the BIS CARE app when a customer asks
- Keep GST and trade licence in order, see legal metrology licence where weighing equipment is used
Common mistakes and rejection reasons
Treating registration as the end
Registration only lets you use the system. Each article must still be hallmarked with a HUID.
Registering only the head office
Branches and showrooms need to be covered, otherwise the outlet may sell without recorded registration.
Wrong caratage on bills
Bills that omit net weight, caratage or the hallmarking charge are a common compliance gap.
Assuming old rules apply
District coverage and charges changed in 2026. Working from a 2022 checklist can lead to wrong cost estimates.
Mixing hallmarked and unhallmarked stock
Selling unhallmarked stock in covered districts invites action even if the metal is pure.
Ignoring job-work paper trail
An artisan claiming exemption without documents can be asked to register.
Penalties for non-compliance
Hallmarking is mandated under the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016 and the orders made under it. Selling gold jewellery in covered districts without hallmarking, or contravening the Order, can attract penal consequences under the BIS Act, including section 29, and BIS can take enforcement action such as search and seizure. We have not verified the exact penalty ranges applicable to hallmarking for this page, so we do not state amounts. Check the text of the current Order and Act before advising on exposure.
Practitioner tips
- Before the first submission, ask your AHC about its turnaround and whether it picks up and delivers; this decides your working capital planning.
- If you sell across several districts, check each district against the notified list, as the list has been extended several times in 2026.
- Update your billing software to print net weight, caratage, fineness and hallmark charge as separate lines.
- Train counter staff to use the BIS CARE app, because customers increasingly verify HUID in the shop.
- Keep a copy of the registration certificate and the amendment notices in one file for inspections.
How Lawgical Guru helps
Coverage and turnover check
We confirm whether your district and turnover place you in mandatory or voluntary hallmarking.
Registration filing
We prepare and submit your application on Manak Online or NSWS with the required documents.
Branch mapping
We make sure each showroom or workshop is recorded correctly.
Billing and display checklist
We give you a checklist of what must appear on bills and at the counter.
Supporting registrations
We help with GST and shop licences that jewellers usually need alongside BIS registration.
Regulatory updates
We flag amendments to the Order and regulations that affect your business.
BIS Hallmark Registration: frequently asked questions
What is hallmark registration?
It is the registration a jeweller takes from the Bureau of Indian Standards to sell hallmarked gold or silver jewellery. It is done online on Manak Online or NSWS, and once granted it allows you to submit articles to a BIS-recognised assaying and hallmarking centre.
Is BIS hallmark registration free?
Yes. BIS states that registration carries no fee. You do pay hallmarking charges per article at the assaying centre, which for gold rose from ₹45 to ₹75 under the amendment regulations dated 14 September 2026.
How long is BIS jeweller registration valid?
BIS states that the registration is valid for life. You do not need to renew it, but you must keep your details updated and follow the hallmarking rules and billing requirements.
What is HUID?
HUID is the Hallmark Unique Identification code, a six-character alphanumeric code assigned to each hallmarked article. Customers can verify the details of the article on the BIS CARE app, which helps confirm purity and the centre that marked it.
Which districts are covered by mandatory hallmarking?
The sixth phase from 2 March 2026 added seven districts, and the second amendment order of 28 April 2026 is reported to bring coverage to 385 districts. Check BIS's current notified list for your district before you decide on registration.
Do small jewellers need to register?
BIS states that jewellers with annual turnover up to ₹40 lakh are outside mandatory hallmarking but may register voluntarily. If you sell hallmarked jewellery as part of the chain, registration is required regardless of how small you are.
Which gold purities can be hallmarked?
Mandatory hallmarking covers 14, 18, 20, 22, 23 and 24 carat gold. Nine carat can be hallmarked voluntarily. Silver hallmarking was treated as voluntary in our review, so confirm the current position for silver with BIS.
What must be on a jeweller's bill?
BIS's FAQ states that the bill must show the net weight, the caratage and fineness, and the hallmarking charge. Jewellers must also display the registration certificate and keep a 10x magnifier for customers.
Can I hallmark an article more than once?
No. BIS says an article needs to be hallmarked only once, and the first seller in the chain gets it hallmarked. Later sellers rely on that HUID, but they must still be registered if they sell hallmarked articles.
Reviewed by Satyam Gupta, Company Secretary (CS) & Advocate
8+ years of industry experience. This page was last reviewed on 16 October 2026 against the official sources below. Rules and fees change — confirm on the official portal before you apply.