In early 2024, a small jewellery brand in Surat faced a two-month delay launching its new gold collection. Their advertising was ready, their designs were flawless — but the BIS hallmarking license hadn’t been approved. Without the license, they couldn’t legally stamp BIS Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) numbers on their ornaments. The experience cost them a season of sales — and taught a lasting lesson: no jeweller can sell gold or silver jewellery in India without a valid BIS hallmark license.
This guide explains everything an Indian jeweller needs to know to get that license — from registration on the BIS portal to renewal timelines, fees, and 2025 updates for silver hallmarking.
Why BIS hallmarking matters for jewellers
Hallmarking is the BIS-regulated certification that verifies the purity of precious metals. It gives every ornament an HUID — a six-digit alphanumeric code unique to each article. For jewellers, this code is more than a mark of quality; it’s a license to trade confidently across India.
BIS hallmarking assures:
- Purity verification: confirms the karat value (9K – 24K gold, 800 – 999 silver).
- Customer confidence: buyers can check authenticity through the BIS Care App.
- Legal compliance: mandatory under the BIS Hallmarking (Second Amendment) Order 2025.
- Brand trust: hallmarking errors can lead to fines or seizure of jewellery.
Think of BIS hallmarking as your jewellery’s passport — proof that your purity promises meet India’s national standard.
Understanding the BIS hallmark license
A BIS Hallmark License authorises a jeweller to sell hallmarked gold and silver jewellery.
It is issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) after verifying:
- business details of the jeweller;
- existence of a registered retail outlet; and
- connection with a certified Assaying & Hallmarking Centre (AHC) for purity testing.
The license is valid for five years and can cover multiple branches under a single corporate license (optional for large chains).
Eligibility for jewellers
Any jeweller or retail chain that sells gold or silver jewellery in India must obtain this license.
To be eligible, the applicant should:
- have a registered business (PAN / GST / CIN if applicable);
- own or lease a retail showroom where articles will be sold;
- commit to hallmark all articles through a BIS-approved AHC; and
- maintain proper records and invoice details linking each article’s HUID.
Documents required
Before applying, gather these scanned copies:
- Business registration proof (PAN, GST, CIN)
- Proof of premises (rent agreement / ownership)
- ID & address proof of proprietor/partner
- Bank details
- Photograph of shop’s exterior with nameboard
- List of sales outlets (if corporate license)
- Undertaking of compliance with Hallmark Order 2025
Step-by-step process to get BIS hallmark license
| Step | Action | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Create account on BIS Manakonline Portal or via National Single Window System (NSWS) | Sign up using mobile OTP and email verification. |
| 2 | Select “Jeweller Registration” under Hallmarking | Fill in basic business details and outlet addresses. |
| 3 | Upload documents | Upload clear PDF copies of required proofs and declarations. |
| 4 | Pay registration fee online | (See fee table below). |
| 5 | Submit application for scrutiny | BIS verifies details and may ask for clarification within 5–7 working days. |
| 6 | Grant of License | Once approved, license certificate with Registration No. is emailed and available on dashboard. |
| 7 | Start hallmarking through AHC | Each article is tested and assigned a unique HUID before sale. |
Average approval timeline — 7 to 15 working days after submission of complete application.
Fee structure (2024 – 25 Official Schedule)
| Particulars | Fee (INR) | Validity / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| New jeweller registration | ₹ 7,500 + GST | Valid for 5 years |
| Renewal of license | ₹ 5,000 + GST | Apply at least 30 days before expiry |
| Corporate license (covering multiple branches) | ₹ 50,000 + GST | Optional for large chains |
| Amendment / additional outlet update | ₹ 2,000 per branch | Pay through portal if adding location |
| Re-issuance of duplicate license | ₹ 1,000 | Online request via portal |
(Based on latest BIS hallmarking fee circular, July 2025 update.)
Testing & Hallmark Process through AHC
Once the license is granted, the jeweller must route all articles through an approved Assaying & Hallmarking Centre.
Each article is tested for purity and assigned a unique HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification), engraved digitally on the piece.
Components of the new BIS hallmark
- BIS logo
- Purity (fineness number) — e.g., 22K = 916
- HUID (6-digit alphanumeric code)
Buyers can verify HUIDs through the BIS Care App, which shows details of purity, AHC location, and license validity.
Note: HUID is mandatory for both gold and silver jewellery from 1 September 2025 onwards.
Purity grades for gold & silver jewellery
| Metal | Purity Grades (Karat / Fineness) | Standard IS Code | HUID Mandatory From |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | 9K (375), 14K (585), 18K (750), 20K (833), 22K (916), 23K (958), 24K (999) | IS 1417 | June 2021 (ongoing) |
| Silver | 800, 835, 875, 900, 925, 960, 999 purity grades | IS 2112 : 2025 | 1 September 2025 (new HUID system) |
(Source: BIS Hallmark Order 2025 and PIB press release on silver hallmarking.)
Timelines & inspection after registration
- License validity: 5 years
- Inspection: BIS may visit the retail outlet or conduct video verification after issuance.
- Renewal: Apply at least 30 days before expiry via Manakonline dashboard.
- Amendments: If address or ownership changes, submit profile amendment form with OTP verification (handled through portal’s “Edit Profile” function).
Responsibilities after obtaining license
- Display BIS certificate prominently at every outlet.
- Sell only hallmarked articles tested at authorized AHCs.
- Issue invoices with hallmark details (HUID + purity).
- Maintain daily transaction records for at least two years.
- Co-operate during BIS inspection or audit.
Non-compliance may lead to suspension or cancellation of license.
New update – Silver hallmarking 2025
The Government of India has extended hallmarking to silver jewellery and articles under the standard IS 2112 : 2025.
From 1 September 2025, every silver item must bear an HUID along with the purity grade (e.g., 925 or 999).
This step brings silver into the same digital traceability system as gold — a major shift for jewellers who sell both metals.
Jewellers should apply for extension of their existing BIS license to cover silver before the deadline to avoid any sales interruption.
Penalties for non-compliance
Under the BIS Act, 2016 and Hallmarking Order 2025:
| Offence | Penalty / Action |
|---|---|
| Selling non-hallmarked jewellery after mandate | Fine up to ₹ 1 lakh or 5 × value of goods — whichever is higher / imprisonment up to 1 year |
| Misuse of BIS logo or fake HUID | License cancellation + criminal prosecution |
| Non-cooperation during audit | Suspension of license till compliance verified |
| False purity declaration | Product seizure + legal action under Consumer Protection Act |
(Enforcement referenced from recent BIS press releases and TOI reports 2025.)
Benefits of early BIS registration
- Immediate eligibility to sell in mandatory districts (361 districts as of 2025).
- Enhanced customer trust and return rates.
- Simplified trade for multi-state retailers under corporate license.
- Access to government procurements and export channels.
- Reduced risk of seizure and penalties.
Mini case: How one Bangalore jeweller gained market edge
A family-run jewellery store in Bangalore registered for BIS hallmark license in early 2023 — well before the third phase of mandatory hallmarking.
They partnered with a nearby AHC and trained their staff to explain HUID verification to customers. Within a year, their sales rose by 22%, mainly because buyers trusted their transparency.
Today, they brand every product as “BIS Certified and HUID Verified” — a simple message that turned compliance into a competitive advantage.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Submitting incomplete documents or unclear PDF uploads.
- Applying under wrong portal category (NSWS vs. Manakonline).
- Delaying renewal application until after expiry.
- Selling pre-HUID stock without re-hallmarking.
- Using a non-authorized AHC for testing.
Each of these can delay your approval or invite penalties.
Green Permits Advisory – Simplifying Your BIS Compliance
At Green Permits Consulting, we help manufacturers and jewellers complete the BIS registration and hallmark process end-to-end:
- Eligibility assessment & document checklist
- Online application through Manakonline or NSWS
- Coordination with BIS regional offices and AHCs
- Renewal and corporate license support
- Compliance training for staff
BIS compliance doesn’t have to be time-consuming or confusing — it just needs the right guidance.
Conclusion — BIS Hallmark License is your business foundation
BIS certification isn’t just paperwork; it is the legal and ethical foundation of India’s precious-metal market.
With the 2025 HUID system expanding to silver, compliance will soon define trust across the entire jewellery sector.
Don’t wait for an inspection or customer complaint to start your registration journey.
Let Green Permits help you secure your BIS Hallmark License for Jewellers today — and build a reputation for purity that shines.
📞 Call Us: +91 78350 06182
📧 Email: wecare@greenpermits.in
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FAQs
The license is issued by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) through its online portal Manakonline or via the National Single Window System.
Five years from the date of issue, renewable online before expiry.
Yes, from 1 September 2025, HUID is compulsory for both gold and silver items.
Yes, through a corporate license that covers multiple showrooms under one entity.
Fine up to ₹ 1 lakh or five times the value of goods, and possible imprisonment up to one year.
