BIS Hallmark Registration for Jewellers

Hallmark registration is the approval granted by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) that allows jewelers to legally sell hallmarked gold and silver jewellery in India. It certifies that the jeweller is authorized to deal in jewellery that meets BIS-prescribed purity standards and complies with the country's hallmarking regulations.

BIS introduced the Gold Hallmarking Scheme in 2000 and the Silver Hallmarking Scheme in 2005 to ensure transparency, protect consumers from purity-related fraud, and build trust. Today, hallmarking is regulated under the BIS Act, 2016, and the BIS (Hallmarking) Regulations, 2018.

On the same line, hallmarking has become a mandatory requirement for the sale of gold jewellery in 26 states and Union Territories, including Uttar Pradesh and Gujarat. The Government introduced compulsory hallmarking in a phased manner from June 2021, making it essential for jewelers to obtain BIS hallmark registration before selling hallmarked jewellery. The purity of hallmarked gold jewellery is displayed via Karat (KT) and Fineness Number.

Importance of Hallmarking for Gold & Silver in India

Hallmarking is more than a regulatory requirement. It, in fact:

• Ensures that gold and silver jewellery contains the declared level of purity.
• Provides independent verification of purity through BIS-recognized Assaying and Hallmarking Centres (AHCs).
• Protects buyers from fraud, adulteration, and under-caratage.
• Increases consumer confidence in the quality and authenticity of jewellery.
• Creates a uniform and transparent system for purity certification.
• Enables consumers to verify the authenticity of jewellery through the HUID number.
• Improves the resale, exchange, and pledge value of jewellery.
• Reduces disputes between buyers and sellers regarding purity claims.
• Enhances the credibility and reputation of registered jewelers.
• Builds consumer trust by assuring buyers they are receiving the purity they are paying for.
• Ensures higher resale and exchange value due to verified purity.
• Supports ethical business practices by reducing ambiguity and misrepresentation in purity claims.
• Promotes fair trade practices and standardized quality benchmarks across the industry.
• Supports the formalization and organized growth of India's jewellery sector.

BIS hallmarking covers both gold & silver jewellery and artefacts sold in India. The hallmark certifies that the precious metal content has been tested and verified as per BIS purity standards.

For gold, the permitted purity grades under IS 1417 are:

• 24K (999 fineness)
• 23K (958 fineness)
• 22K (916 fineness)
• 20K (833 fineness)
• 18K (750 fineness)
• 14K (585 fineness)
• 9K (375 fineness)

BIS hallmarking also applies to silver jewellery and artefacts. Hallmarked articles carry the BIS mark, the applicable purity grade, and mandatory identification details that help verify their authenticity and purity.

Note: 9K gold was included in the hallmarking framework from 1 July 2025, offering consumers a more affordable hallmarked jewellery option.

Under the current HUID-based hallmarking system, every hallmarked gold jewellery item must carry three mandatory marks:

1. BIS Standard Mark: The BIS logo certifies that the jewellery has been hallmarked under the Bureau of Indian Standards' official hallmarking scheme.
2. Purity Grade and Fineness Mark: Indicates the purity of the precious metal in both karat and fineness terms, such as 22K (916), 18K (750), 14K (585), or 9K (375).
3. 6-Character HUID Number: A unique six-character alphanumeric code assigned to each jewellery item. It enables complete traceability and links the product to the registered jeweller and the BIS-recognized AHC that certified it.

Consumers can verify the authenticity of any hallmarked jewellery item by entering the HUID number in the BIS Care App.

Note: Under the current hallmarking framework, the assaying centre's mark and the jeweller's identification mark are no longer mandatory on newly hallmarked jewellery.

Any jeweller intending to offer hallmarked jewellery to customers must first obtain registration from the BIS. The following entities typically require hallmark registration:

• Jewelers selling gold or silver jewellery through physical retail stores.
• Jewellery manufacturers produce gold or silver ornaments for sale.
• Wholesalers and traders dealing in hallmarked jewellery.
• Online jewellery sellers offering hallmarked gold or silver products through e-commerce platforms.
• Chain jewellery stores operating multiple outlets across different locations.
• Proprietorships, partnership firms, LLPs, private limited companies, and other business entities engaged in the jewellery trade.

Businesses that sell only non-precious jewellery, imitation jewellery, or fashion accessories made without gold or silver are not required to obtain BIS hallmark registration.

Jewelers should keep the following documents and information readily available for the application process and any subsequent verification by BIS:

The BIS hallmark registration process is conducted online through the BIS Manak Online portal. Once registered, a jeweller can get eligible gold and silver jewellery hallmarked through BIS-recognized AHCs.

Step 1: Create an Account on the BIS Manak Online Portal

• Visit the BIS Manak Online portal (in) and register as a jeweller using a valid mobile number and email address.
• Complete the OTP verification process and create your login credentials.

Step 2: Fill Out the Registration Application

Log in to the portal and select the jeweller registration application. Enter the required details, including the:

• Business name
• Constitution
• GST number
• Registered address
• Authorized signatory details
• Information about each sales outlet to be registered

Step 3: Complete Verification and Submit the Application

Verify the information provided and submit the application online. Depending on the applicable BIS requirements, you may be required to provide supporting documents or additional information.

Step 4: Receive the Hallmark Registration Certificate

After successful processing of the application, BIS issues a Hallmark Registration Certificate along with a unique registration number. You can download the certificate from the portal.

Step 5: Send Jewellery for Hallmarking

After obtaining registration, send eligible gold and silver jewellery to a BIS-recognized Assaying and Hallmarking Center. The centre:

• Tests the jewellery
• Verifies jewellery’s purity
• Assigns a Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number
• Applies the required hallmark marks

Step 6: Sell Hallmarked Jewellery

Once hallmarked, the jewellery can be legally sold in accordance with BIS regulations. The invoice should contain the prescribed details, including the purity grade and other mandatory particulars.

Step 7: Maintain Compliance

Continue to comply with BIS hallmarking requirements and ensure that eligible jewellery is hallmarked before sale. Consumers can verify the authenticity of hallmarked jewellery through the HUID number using the BIS Care App.

Note: The BIS registration process is usually completed quickly after successful verification. Many jewellers receive their registration certificate on the same day, though processing times may vary based on the details submitted and verification requirements.

However, registration is only the first step. Each batch of gold or silver jewellery must still be sent to a BIS-recognized AHC for testing and hallmarking, with processing times varying by centre and workload.

BIS does not charge any government fee for granting jeweller registration, and there is no registration renewal fee.

However, jewelers must pay hallmarking charges to BIS-recognized Assaying and AHCs for testing and hallmarking individual jewellery articles. These charges are separate from the registration process.

Note: Taxes and other applicable charges may be levied separately by the Assaying and Hallmarking Centre.

BIS now grants jewellers lifetime registration, eliminating the need for periodic licence renewals.

Validity of Hallmark Registration

A BIS Hallmark Registration Certificate has lifetime validity. There is no expiry date as long as the jeweller complies with the applicable hallmarking rules and regulations.

Renewal of Hallmark Registration

Jewelers are not required to renew their BIS hallmark registration or pay any renewal fee. However, they must keep their registration details updated with BIS whenever there is a change in:

• Business name or constitution
• Registered business address
• GST details
• Sales outlets covered under the registration

BIS may suspend or cancel the registration if a jeweller violates hallmarking regulations, misuses the BIS hallmark, or provides false information.

The BIS Hallmark License, officially known as the Certificate of Registration (CoR), is the certificate issued by BIS to registered jewelers under the Jewelers Registration Scheme. It serves as proof that the jeweller is authorized to sell hallmarked gold and silver jewellery in India.

A BIS Hallmark Registration Certificate typically contains:

• Name of the jeweller or business entity
• BIS registration number
• Registered business address
• Details of registered sales outlets
• Date of registration
• Details of the authorized signatory

Registered jewelers are also listed in the official BIS database, allowing consumers to verify their registration and authenticity.

Types of BIS Hallmarking Registration Certificate Schemes

BIS administers different hallmarking-related schemes for various stakeholders in the precious metals industry:

• Jewelers Registration Scheme: For jewelers, retailers, manufacturers, and wholesalers who sell hallmarked gold and silver jewellery.
• AHC Recognition Scheme: For laboratories authorized by BIS to test the purity of precious metal articles and apply hallmark marks.
• Refinery/Mint Licence Scheme: For approved refineries and mints involved in the production and hallmarking of bullion, coins, and related precious metal products.

For most businesses engaged in jewellery retail or trading, the Jewelers Registration Scheme is the relevant registration category.

How to Download the BIS Hallmark License/Certificate?

Once your registration is approved, you can download the Certificate of Registration from the BIS Manak Online portal at any time.

1. Log in to your account on the BIS Manak Online portal.
2. Open the Hallmarking section from the dashboard.
3. Navigate to your jeweller registration details.
4. Select the option to view or download the Certificate of Registration.
5. Save the certificate in PDF format and print a copy for your records.

Jewelers should keep the certificate available at their registered sales outlets and produce it whenever required during inspections or compliance checks.

Registered jewelers must continue to comply with BIS requirements to legally sell hallmarked jewellery and avoid penalties. Some requirements include:

• Sell only hallmarked gold jewellery where hallmarking is mandatory.
• Get jewellery hallmarked only through BIS-recognized AHCs.
• Ensure every hallmarked article carries the prescribed BIS hallmark marks, including the HUID.
• Register all sales outlets covered under the business.
• Display the BIS registration certificate prominently at the sales outlet.
• Display the notice "Hallmarked Jewellery Available for Sale" for customer awareness.
• Keep a magnifying glass (minimum 10X magnification) at the outlet to help customers inspect hallmark marks.
• Issue invoices containing the prescribed hallmarking details.
• Maintain records of jewellery submitted for hallmarking, HUIDs, and stock movements.
• Ensure the purity of jewellery matches the purity grade declared on the hallmark.
• Update BIS whenever there is a change in business details or registered outlets.
• Cooperate with BIS inspections, surveillance activities, and sample testing.
• Follow the latest BIS hallmarking standards and regulatory requirements.

BIS hallmarking requirements are strictly enforced under the BIS Act, 2016. Consequences of non-compliance may include:

• Fines of up to five times the value of the goods involved.
• Imprisonment for serious or repeated violations under the BIS Act, 2016.
• Seizure of non-compliant or improperly hallmarked jewellery.
• Suspension or cancellation of the jeweller's BIS registration.
• Consumer compensation where a hallmarked article is found to be below the declared purity standard.
• Penal action for misuse or unauthorized use of the BIS hallmark.

If a hallmarked article fails the purity test, the consumer is entitled to compensation under Section 49 of the BIS Rules, 2018. The compensation equals twice the value of the purity shortfall, along with the assaying and testing charges.

The BIS hallmarking framework has undergone several important changes in recent years to improve transparency, traceability, and consumer protection. Key updates include:

• 9K Gold Added to the Hallmarking Scheme: BIS expanded the list of hallmarked gold purities to include 9K gold (375 fineness) in July 2025. This has made certified gold jewellery more affordable and accessible to consumers.
• HUID-Based Hallmarking Continues: Every hallmarked gold jewellery item must carry a 6-character alphanumeric Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number along with the BIS logo and purity mark. Consumers can verify the HUID through the BIS Care App.
• Revised Silver Hallmarking Standards: From September 2025, BIS introduced a revised HUID-based hallmarking framework for silver jewellery and artefacts under IS 2112:2025. This replaced the earlier standard and improved the traceability of silver articles.
• Enhanced Consumer Verification Tools: Consumers can now verify hallmark details, purity information, and HUID records through the BIS Care App. This has made it easier to identify genuine hallmarked jewellery and report discrepancies.