How to Check Authentic BIS Hallmark on Jewellery

Introduction — When a Hallmark Saves a Business

In 2024, a Mumbai-based jewellery importer faced a two-month customs delay. The inspection team found that his gold bangles carried a hallmark but the unique identification code (HUID) didn’t match on the BIS Care App. The result: ₹18 lakh worth of stock was seized until verification was complete.

This incident highlights a critical truth — checking the authenticity of a BIS hallmark is no longer optional. It’s both a consumer right and a business necessity. Whether you are buying a gold ring or shipping a batch of silver bracelets to retailers, BIS hallmark verification protects you from penalties, returns and reputation risk.

What Is a BIS Hallmark and Why It Matters

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) hallmark is India’s official guarantee of purity for gold and silver jewellery. It certifies that the metal has been tested and meets the purity standards prescribed under IS 1417 for gold and IS 2112 for silver.

BIS hallmarking became mandatory nationwide from June 16, 2021 for gold and is gradually expanding to silver jewellery from September 1, 2025 under the latest notification (First Auditor & MoEFCC update, 2025).

Why It Matters for Everyone

• Consumers: Assures purity and prevents fraudulent sales.
• Jewellers & Importers: Ensures legal trade compliance and smooth customs clearance.
• Manufacturers: Builds brand trust and enables nationwide distribution under BIS license.

Ignoring hallmark authenticity can lead to product seizure, license suspension or penalties up to ₹2 lakh under the BIS Act 2016.

Components of a Genuine BIS Hallmark

When you inspect a hallmarked jewellery piece, you should see these marks clearly engraved or laser-etched:

Mark	Meaning
BIS Logo	National standards mark (triangle symbol).
Purity/Fineness Mark	E.g. 22K (916), 18K (750), 14K (585).
Assaying & Hallmarking (A&H) Centre Mark	Identifies the laboratory that tested the metal.
Jeweller’s Identification Mark	Unique ID of the registered manufacturer or retailer.
6-digit HUID (Unique Identification Number)	Mandatory since April 2023; links to BIS database.

Tip: If any of these five marks are missing or illegible, the piece may not be authentic.

Step-by-Step Guide to Check Hallmark Authenticity

1. Visual Inspection

Hold the jewellery under a light or magnifying lens and verify:

• BIS logo with sharp edges (triangle outline).
• Purity mark (916 for 22K, 750 for 18K, etc.).
• Correct alignment of engraving — genuine marks are laser-etched, not stamped unevenly.
• HUID is six digits (alphanumeric) and engraved distinctly.

If you see an old four-digit number or no code at all, it predates 2023 rules and must be re-verified.

2. Digital Verification with the BIS Care App

1. Download the BIS Care App from Google Play or App Store (bis.gov.in/bis-apps).
2. Select “Verify HUID.”
3. Enter the 6-digit code engraved on your jewellery.
4. Instantly view details such as jeweller name, A&H centre, purity and date of hallmarking.
5. Save a screenshot for future proof or return claims.

If the app shows “Invalid HUID” or “No Record Found,” report it through the app and avoid purchasing the item.

3. Offline Verification (For Businesses or Bulk Buyers)

Jewellers and importers can also verify authenticity by:

• Visiting any BIS-approved Assaying & Hallmarking Centre for sample testing.
• Using the BIS Online Portal to validate registered jeweller IDs and licenses.
• Requesting batch-wise HUID reports from suppliers before sale or import.

Gold vs Silver: Hallmarking in 2025

Metal	Mandatory From	Key Standard Code	Status in 2025
Gold Jewellery	June 16, 2021	IS 1417:2016	Mandatory nationwide for 22K, 20K, 18K, 14K, and 9K (from July 2025)
Silver Jewellery	Sept 1, 2025	IS 2112:2025	Mandatory for all silver articles above 2 g weight (except exports)

Silver hallmarking will follow the same five-mark system as gold, with its own HUID series. Initially voluntary in 2025, it will become fully mandatory by 2026.

Common Signs of Fake Hallmarking

Red Flag	What It Means
Uneven or blurred BIS logo	Possibly hand-engraved counterfeit.
4-digit HUID or missing HUID	Outdated or illegal after 2023.
Wrong purity combination (e.g., 22K = 995)	False marking on non-compliant item.
Jeweller unable to show BIS license number	Unregistered seller.
App shows no match or different purity	Tampered hallmark or duplicate code.

If you encounter these issues, report them to BIS Consumer Affairs Division (CAD) via the BIS Care App or email consumers@bis.gov.in.

Penalties and Legal Consequences

Under the BIS Act 2016, selling or displaying non-hallmarked or fake-hallmarked jewellery is a punishable offence.

Possible actions include:

• Fine up to ₹2 lakh or 10 times the value of goods, whichever is higher.
• Suspension or cancellation of BIS registration/license.
• Product seizure by inspection authorities.
• In severe cases, prosecution and imprisonment for repeat violations.

Example: In 2025, CPCB and local authorities seized an unauthorized hallmark centre in Vijayawada operating without valid HUID codes (Times of India report, Feb 2025).

Best Practices for Jewellers, Importers and Manufacturers

1. Register with BIS for hallmark license before selling any gold or silver article.
2. Use only BIS-approved A&H centres for testing and marking.
3. Maintain digital records of each HUID issued and corresponding invoice.
4. Train sales teams to help consumers verify their purchase via the BIS Care App.
5. For importers, cross-verify supplier HUID lists with BIS portal before customs clearance.
6. Audit inventory quarterly for valid and active HUIDs.
7. Prepare for silver hallmarking transition by mid-2025 — update systems, laser marking machines, and BIS registrations.

Table — Indicative Hallmarking Fee Structure (Consumer Reference)

Jewellery Type	Approx. Fee per Item (₹)	Note
Gold Jewellery	40 – 50	Charged by A&H centre based on weight & volume.
Silver Jewellery	30 – 40	Expected similar pricing post Sept 2025.
Testing Sample	200 – 500	Depends on purity analysis method (XRF or fire assay).

Fees are indicative; actual charges vary by centre and state. Always refer to official BIS notifications.

Consumer Checklist Before Buying Jewellery

• Buy only from BIS-registered jewellers.
• Check the five marks (BIS logo, purity, A&H centre, jeweller ID, HUID).
• Use the BIS Care App to verify HUID on the spot.
• Ask for a tax invoice mentioning “HUID verified.”
• Keep screenshot of verification and bill for returns or insurance.

The BIS Hallmark and Your Business Reputation

For businesses, a hallmark is not just a purity symbol — it’s a compliance indicator. Ignoring verification can delay imports, trigger CPCB notices, and erode consumer trust.

Think of it as your product’s passport into the Indian market — without it, you can’t cross borders or build credibility.

Conclusion

BIS hallmark verification is now a business and consumer duty. By checking the HUID code through the BIS Care App and buying only from licensed jewellers, you safeguard both purity and profitability. With silver hallmarking turning mandatory in 2025, now is the time for manufacturers and importers to update licenses and testing protocols.

Need Help with BIS Compliance?

Green Permits Consulting LLC helps manufacturers, importers and retail chains navigate BIS hallmark registration and license renewal processes seamlessly.

📞 +91 78350 06182 📧 wecare@greenpermits.in
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