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Hallmark Registration
BIS hallmarking licence for jewellers selling gold and silver ornaments.
What is Hallmark Registration?
Hallmarking is BIS's purity-certification scheme for gold and silver jewellery, mandatory nationwide for jewellers above the prescribed turnover threshold under the BIS Hallmarking framework (notified via the Gold Hallmarking Order). A Hallmarking Registration allows a jeweller to sell gold jewellery bearing the official BIS hallmark, HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) number, and purity grade, verified through licensed Assaying & Hallmarking Centres (AHCs).
Hallmarking exists to eliminate purity fraud in the gold and silver jewellery trade, giving consumers a government-backed guarantee of metal purity and creating an auditable HUID trail for every hallmarked piece sold โ a six-digit alphanumeric code unique to each piece that lets a buyer verify purity, jeweller identity, and testing centre online.
Since HUID-based hallmarking became mandatory, every piece of hallmarked gold jewellery carries three marks: the BIS logo, the purity grade (like 22K916 for 22-karat gold), and the unique HUID number. This shifted hallmarking from a general quality stamp to a fully traceable, piece-level system โ meaning jewellers must register each piece with an AHC for HUID generation before sale, not just register their outlet once.
Products/Activities Covered
Who Needs It
Types & Categories
Jeweller Registration
Registration of the retail/manufacturing outlet itself with BIS to sell hallmarked jewellery.
Assaying & Hallmarking Centre (AHC) Empanelment
A separate registration for centres that test purity and apply the HUID hallmark, distinct from the jeweller's own registration.
Key Benefits
Documents Required
- Shop/business registration and GST certificate
- Photographs of the outlet and jewellery display
- Identity and address proof of the proprietor/partners
- PAN of the business
Our Process
BIS Care App / Portal Registration
The jeweller registers on BIS's online portal with outlet, business, and product-category details.
Document Verification
BIS verifies the submitted documents and outlet details before granting registration.
Registration Certificate
The Hallmarking Registration Certificate is issued, valid typically for a multi-year period.
AHC Coordination for HUID
For ongoing sales, each piece is sent to a licensed AHC for purity testing and HUID hallmark application before sale.
Validity & Renewal
Jewellers Registration itself is generally treated as valid for the life of the business, with no BIS fee for grant, as long as the jeweller stays compliant with hallmarking rules โ but some sources describe a distinct renewal-based hallmark licence issued for a period of one to five years that must be renewed before expiry to continue selling hallmarked jewellery. We confirm which model applies to your registration category and track any renewal date that does apply.
Penalty for Non-Compliance
Selling gold jewellery without hallmarking (where mandatory) or misrepresenting purity can attract penalties under both the BIS Act and the Consumer Protection Act, including fines and potential business licence action, plus seizure of non-compliant stock during inspection drives.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do all outlets of a jewellery chain need separate registration?
Yes, each retail outlet location requires its own Hallmarking Registration under BIS, even within the same jewellery brand or company.
What is a HUID number?
HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) is a unique six-digit alphanumeric code assigned to each piece of hallmarked jewellery, letting buyers and authorities trace it back to the specific jeweller and testing centre.
Is hallmarking mandatory for all gold jewellery?
It's mandatory for jewellers above the prescribed turnover threshold selling in the notified purity categories (currently 14, 18, and 22 karat); we confirm current applicability for your specific business scale.
Can old, unhallmarked jewellery still be sold?
Rules around exchange and resale of pre-existing unhallmarked stock are periodically clarified by BIS โ we advise on current transitional provisions applicable to your inventory.
Is there a government fee to register as a jeweller with BIS?
No โ BIS grants Jewellers Registration under the BIS (Hallmarking) Regulations, 2018 free of any application or registration fee; your ongoing costs are the per-piece assaying/hallmarking charges paid to the AHC and any applicable renewal charge under your specific registration category.
Ready to Get Compliant?
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