In 2024, a Jaipur-based jeweller was fined ₹2 lakh for selling unhallmarked gold chains — not because his products were impure, but because his BIS license had expired. It’s a reminder that hallmarking isn’t just about purity; it’s about legal compliance and brand trust.
The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) hallmark ensures the purity of gold and silver jewellery under the BIS Hallmarking Scheme. For jewellers, maintaining an active BIS license is mandatory to sell hallmarked articles legally in India.
If you’re a jeweller looking to understand current hallmarking charges, renewal timelines, and compliance tips, this 2025 guide breaks it down step by step.
BIS Hallmarking is the official certification that verifies the purity of gold or silver jewellery and artefacts sold in India. It involves testing jewellery at a BIS-recognized Assaying & Hallmarking Centre (AHC) and stamping it with a Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number.
Think of the BIS hallmark as your quality passport — it allows you to legally sell jewellery that meets purity standards and protects customers from fraud.
The hallmarking charges are prescribed under BIS guidelines and remain affordable for jewellers and transparent for consumers.
| Jewellery Type | Hallmarking Charge (per article) | Minimum Consignment Charge | Testing Fee (if applicable) | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Jewellery / Artefacts | ₹45 per article | ₹200 per consignment | ₹200 per sample (consumer testing) | BIS FAQs / PIB Press Release (2024–25) |
| Silver Jewellery / Artefacts | ₹35 per article | ₹200 per consignment | ₹200 per sample (consumer testing) | BIS Official FAQ (2025) |
Note:
What it means for jewellers: Always collect the hallmarking invoice from the AHC and reflect hallmarking charges transparently in your own customer invoices.
Before you start or renew your hallmarking license, keep these documents ready:
Once registered, you receive a five-year BIS license, valid for that specific business location.
The BIS hallmark license is valid for five years from the date of issue and must be renewed before expiry.
Here’s the step-by-step renewal process for jewellers:
Visit https://www.manakonline.in and log in using your BIS jeweller registration credentials.
Under the hallmarking section, choose Apply for Renewal.
Update information like:
Attach the latest:
Renewal fee: ₹7,500 + applicable service charges.
(For context, the CPCB’s official fee schedule for similar registrations lists ₹7,500 as the base renewal cost for recyclers/refurbishers, showing BIS alignment in its renewal framework.)
BIS reviews applications within 30 working days. Incomplete applications are flagged via the portal.
Once approved, the renewed license is issued digitally with an updated license number and validity.
| Renewal Window | Action / Fee |
|---|---|
| Before expiry | Normal renewal (₹7,500) |
| After expiry (within 30 days) | Late fee up to ₹5,000 |
| After 30 days | Treated as a new registration |
Tip: Apply for renewal at least 30 days before expiry to avoid penalties or suspension.
Always update your profile via BIS “Edit Profile” before renewal. The Instruction Sheet for Profile Amendment (CPCB 2024) outlines OTP-based verification for any email or contact update.
Operating without a valid BIS hallmark license can lead to serious penalties under the BIS Act, 2016:
| Offence | Penalty |
|---|---|
| Selling unhallmarked jewellery | Fine up to ₹2 lakh or five times the value of goods, whichever is higher |
| Misuse of HUID or fake hallmarking | License suspension and prosecution |
| Failure to renew license | Treated as unregistered; goods subject to seizure |
Example: In June 2025, BIS authorities in Kerala and Delhi conducted raids on unregistered jewellers selling non-HUID gold, leading to product seizures and legal notices.
Since September 2025, BIS introduced HUID-based hallmarking for silver jewellery under IS 2112:2025.
This is currently voluntary, but jewellers are advised to register early to align with future compliance requirements.
(Source: ET Wealth, Sept 2025)
| Stage | Duration | Authority |
|---|---|---|
| Initial registration approval | ~30 working days | BIS HQ / Regional Office |
| Validity period | 5 years | BIS |
| Renewal window | 30 days before expiry | BIS Portal |
| Physical verification (if required) | Within 3 months of renewal | BIS / AHC officials |
Remember, the renewal is not just a formality — it’s a statement that your brand remains trustworthy, compliant, and ready for inspection anytime.
At Green Permits Consulting, we help jewellers:
BIS hallmarking compliance is no longer optional — it’s a legal and reputational necessity.
Renew your license well before expiry, maintain transparent hallmarking charges, and stay aligned with BIS updates for 2025.
With Green Permits, jewellers can focus on craftsmanship while we handle the compliance complexities.
BIS hallmarking — your mark of trust, backed by expert compliance.
📞 +91 78350 06182 | 📧 wecare@greenpermits.in
Book a Consultation with Green Permits
Five years from the date of issue. Renewal must be filed before expiry.
₹45 per gold article and ₹35 per silver article, with a minimum consignment fee of ₹200.
Yes. Log in to manakonline.in and apply under Renewal of Jeweller Registration.
A late fee (up to ₹5,000) applies, and operations may be suspended until re-registration.
From September 2025, it’s voluntary but strongly encouraged under IS 2112:2025.
