Before Diwali, BIS Raises Gold Hallmarking Fee; Jewellers Face Higher Costs

Gold Hallmarking Fee Hiked 67% to ₹75 Ahead of Festive and Wedding Season

BIS Revises Hallmarking Charges; Jewellers May Face Higher Compliance Costs

Gold jewellery is set to become marginally more expensive for jewellers to process for sale after the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) increased the hallmarking fee for gold articles from ₹45 to ₹75 per article, a hike of about 67%. The revised regulations came into force on September 14, 2026. 

The increase comes just ahead of the festive and wedding season, when demand for gold jewellery traditionally rises. Hallmarking is the official process used to certify the purity or fineness of precious-metal jewellery. BIS says the system is intended to protect consumers against adulteration and ensure compliance with prescribed purity standards. 

What Has Changed?

Under the revised fee structure:

Gold jewellery: ₹45 → ₹75 per article

Minimum gold consignment charge: ₹200

Silver jewellery: ₹35 per article, unchanged

Minimum silver consignment charge: ₹150 

Importantly, the hallmarking charge is levied per article, not according to the weight of the jewellery. This means the same basic hallmarking fee applies whether an individual gold article is relatively lightweight or heavier. 

Will Customers Pay More?

The higher fee is charged within the jewellery supply chain, so it does not automatically mean that consumers will be charged an additional ₹30 separately. However, jewellers may factor higher compliance costs into their overall pricing.

The Gem & Jewellery Council has raised concerns about the increase, particularly its potential impact on lightweight and lower-value jewellery, where a fixed per-piece charge represents a relatively larger cost. 

With gold prices already elevated and the festive season approaching, the revised hallmarking fee is likely to remain an important issue for jewellers and buyers.