BIS Hallmarking Certification – Gold, Silver & Platinum

Gold Hallmarking

BIS Gold Hallmarking — Mandatory Scheme

Gold hallmarking in India is governed by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) under the BIS Act, 2016 and the Gold (Control) Act. The Government of India made gold hallmarking mandatory for jewellers via the BIS (Hallmarking) Order, 2021.

Every piece of gold jewellery sold by a BIS-licensed jeweller must carry a BIS Hallmark along with a unique 6-digit alphanumeric HUID (Hallmark Unique ID), which can be verified by consumers on the BIS Care app or the BIS portal.

BIS

Issuing Authority

Mandatory

343 Districts

HUID

6-Digit Unique ID

₹1 Lakh

Non-Compliance Penalty

What is HUID — Hallmark Unique Identification?

Since July 2021, every hallmarked gold jewellery piece carries a unique 6-digit alphanumeric HUID laser-engraved by the Assaying & Hallmarking Centre. This ID is linked in the national BIS database and uniquely identifies each individual piece — enabling real-time consumer verification via the BIS Care mobile app. The old 4-symbol hallmarking system (BIS mark, purity grade, AHC logo, jeweller's mark) has been replaced by HUID.

Gold Purity Grades — BIS Hallmarking

BIS hallmarks gold jewellery in the following purity grades. Only these fineness levels are permitted for hallmarked gold jewellery sale in India:

999

24 Karat

99.9% Pure Gold

HUID Required

995

24 Karat

99.5% Pure Gold

HUID Required

916

22 Karat

91.6% Pure Gold

HUID Required

875

21 Karat

87.5% Pure Gold

HUID Required

750

18 Karat

75.0% Pure Gold

HUID Required

585

14 Karat

58.5% Pure Gold

HUID Required

Legal Warning: Selling gold jewellery without BIS Hallmark (with HUID) is a criminal offence under the BIS Act, 2016. Penalty: fine up to ₹1,00,000 or imprisonment up to 1 year or both. All jewellers in 343 districts must hold a valid BIS Certificate of Registration (CoR) to sell gold jewellery.

Who Requires BIS Gold Hallmarking Licence?

Retail Jewellers: All jewellers selling gold jewellery in notified 343 districts must hold BIS CoR and sell only hallmarked jewellery.
Gold Jewellery Manufacturers: Manufacturers supplying to retail chains, wholesale traders or exporters need hallmarking at BIS-recognised AHC.
Bullion Traders & Gold Refiners: Entities converting raw gold to jewellery items require hallmarking before sale.
Online Gold Jewellery Sellers: E-commerce platforms selling gold jewellery (Tanishq, CaratLane, etc.) must ensure all products are hallmarked with HUID.
Gold Coin & Bar Sellers: Gold coins and bars of defined weights sold by banks and jewellers also require BIS hallmarking.

Documents for BIS Gold Hallmarking Licence

#	Document	Details	Status
01	Application on official letterhead	Entity details, address, contact	Mandatory
02	Business Registration Certificate	Partnership deed / Pvt Ltd CoI / GST Registration	Mandatory
03	PAN Card (Individual / Company)	Tax ID for the applicant entity	Mandatory
04	Aadhaar Card / Identity Proof	Proprietor / Director / Partner	Mandatory
05	Shop / Premises Address Proof	Rent agreement / Municipal registration / Utility bill	Mandatory
06	Passport-size Photographs	Applicant / Authorised representative	Mandatory
07	GST Registration Certificate	Current & valid GSTIN	Mandatory
08	Hallmarking Agreement with nearest AHC	Letter from BIS-recognised Assaying & Hallmarking Centre	Mandatory
09	Fee Payment Proof	BIS CoR application fee receipt	Mandatory
10	MOA / AOA (for Companies)	Memorandum & Articles of Association	If Applicable

BIS Gold Hallmarking — Registration Process

Eligibility Check & AHC Identification

We identify the nearest BIS-recognised Assaying & Hallmarking Centre (AHC) in your district and verify your business eligibility.

Day 1

BIS Portal Account Registration

We register your entity on the BIS online portal (manakonline.in) and prepare your Certificate of Registration (CoR) application.

Online Portal

Document Upload & AHC Agreement

All required documents uploaded on the portal. AHC agreement letter obtained and submitted as part of the application package.

2–3 Days

BIS Fee Payment

Official BIS application fee paid online through the portal. We track payment confirmation and link it to your application.

Online Payment

BIS Scrutiny & Grant of CoR

BIS officials review and verify the application. We respond to any queries or deficiencies raised by BIS for fastest approval.

7–15 Days

BIS CoR Received — Start Hallmarking

Certificate of Registration issued. You can now legally sell hallmarked gold jewellery. We guide you on the HUID tagging process at your linked AHC.

Valid 1 Year

Silver Hallmarking

BIS Silver Hallmarking — Voluntary Scheme

BIS Silver Hallmarking is currently a voluntary scheme in India, though mandatory notification is under active consideration by the government. Silver hallmarking provides consumers an assurance of purity in silverware, silver jewellery, silver coins, and utensils.

Jewellers and manufacturers who opt for BIS silver hallmarking gain significant consumer trust, higher pricing power, and export marketability in the growing global market for hallmarked silverware.

BIS

Issuing Authority

Voluntary

Mandatory Notification Pending

1 Year

CoR Validity

4 Grades

Purity Levels Covered

Silver Purity Grades — BIS Hallmarking

999

Fine Silver

99.9% Pure Silver

Hallmark Required

970

Britannia Silver

97.0% Pure Silver

Hallmark Required

925

Sterling Silver

92.5% Pure Silver

Hallmark Required

800

Continental Silver

80.0% Pure Silver

Hallmark Required

Industry Insight: India is the world's largest consumer of silver. Sterling Silver (925) is the most popular grade for jewellery export, especially to the USA and European markets. BIS hallmarked silver articles command a significant premium in export markets over non-hallmarked products.

Who Should Get Silver Hallmarking?

Silver Jewellery Manufacturers & Exporters: For export to EU, USA, UK where hallmarked silver commands premium pricing.
Silverware & Utensil Makers: Manufacturers of silver utensils, pooja items, religious artifacts for domestic premium market.
Silver Coin & Bar Producers: Entities producing investment-grade silver coins and bars for retail and institutional sales.
Fashion & Sterling Silver Jewellers: Exporters of sterling silver jewellery (925) targeting global e-commerce and B2B markets.

Documents for Silver Hallmarking CoR

#	Document	Details	Status
01	Business Registration / CoI	Partnership deed or Company incorporation certificate	Mandatory
02	PAN Card	Entity or proprietor PAN	Mandatory
03	GST Registration Certificate	Valid GSTIN	Mandatory
04	Premises Address Proof	Rent deed / utility bill / municipal certificate	Mandatory
05	AHC Agreement Letter	Agreement with BIS-recognised silver assaying centre	Mandatory
06	Identity Proof (Aadhaar)	Proprietor / Director / Managing Partner	Mandatory
07	BIS Application Fee Receipt	Online payment through BIS portal	Mandatory
08	IEC Certificate (for exporters)	If exporting hallmarked silver internationally	If Applicable

Silver Hallmarking Registration Process

AHC Tie-up & Eligibility

Identify BIS-recognised silver AHC in your region and verify entity eligibility for the voluntary scheme.

Day 1

BIS Portal Application

Online

Fee Payment & Scrutiny

Pay BIS application fee online; BIS reviews and verifies the application. Average processing: 7–15 working days.

7–15 Days

CoR Issued — Begin Silver Hallmarking

BIS Certificate of Registration issued. Send articles to linked AHC for assaying and hallmarking stamping.

Valid 1 Year

Platinum Hallmarking

BIS Platinum Hallmarking Scheme

BIS Platinum Hallmarking is a voluntary scheme introduced in partnership with the Platinum Guild International (PGI). It provides assurance of platinum purity to consumers buying high-value platinum jewellery, which is priced significantly higher than gold.

India's platinum jewellery market is growing rapidly, especially in the bridal and gifting segments. BIS hallmarked platinum jewellery commands a strong premium over non-hallmarked articles and is preferred by discerning buyers.

BIS + PGI

Joint Scheme Authority

Voluntary

Premium Positioning

3 Grades

Purity Levels

1 Year

CoR Validity

Platinum Purity Grades — BIS Hallmarking

950

Platinum 950

95.0% Pure Platinum

Hallmark Required

900

Platinum 900

90.0% Pure Platinum

Hallmark Required

850

Platinum 850

85.0% Pure Platinum

Hallmark Required

Market Opportunity: Platinum 950 is the most popular grade globally and preferred by PGI for its "Platinum Days of Love" and "Men of Platinum" campaigns. BIS-hallmarked platinum jewellery is the only format accepted in premium retail and international export channels.

Documents for Platinum Hallmarking CoR

#	Document	Details	Status
01	Business Registration Certificate	Pvt Ltd CoI / Partnership deed / GST registration	Mandatory
02	PAN Card	Entity or proprietor PAN	Mandatory
03	GST Certificate	Current GSTIN	Mandatory
04	Premises Proof	Manufacturing / showroom address	Mandatory
05	AHC Agreement	Agreement with platinum-assaying BIS AHC	Mandatory
06	Identity Proof of Proprietor / Director	Aadhaar / Passport	Mandatory
07	BIS Application Fee Receipt	Paid online via BIS Manak portal	Mandatory
08	PGI Membership (if applicable)	For entities under Platinum Guild International network	If Applicable

Platinum Hallmarking Process

AHC Identification & PGI Linkage

Identify BIS-recognised platinum assaying centre. Optionally link with PGI membership for market access.

Day 1

BIS Portal Application & Fee

File application on BIS Manak Online portal with all documents and pay the CoR application fee.

Online

BIS Scrutiny & CoR Issuance

BIS processes the application; CoR issued on successful verification. Send platinum articles to AHC for hallmarking.

7–15 Days

AHC Scheme

Assaying & Hallmarking Centre (AHC) Licence

An Assaying and Hallmarking Centre (AHC) is a BIS-recognised laboratory that tests the purity of precious metal articles, assays them, and stamps the official BIS Hallmark along with the HUID. AHC recognition is granted by BIS under the BIS Hallmarking Scheme.

Setting up a BIS-recognised AHC is a high-value business opportunity — with over 1 lakh new jewellers required to use AHC services annually and the government mandating HUID for each piece, the demand for AHC services is at an all-time high.

AHC

Assaying & Hallmarking Centre

Lab Setup

Infrastructure Required

1,500+

AHCs Across India

2 Years

AHC Recognition Validity

Business Opportunity: With gold hallmarking now mandatory in 343 districts, India needs thousands more AHCs to meet demand. An AHC earns revenue from hallmarking fees (₹35–₹45 per article for gold), testing charges, and HUID registration fees. AHC licence is a highly profitable and growing business with government backing.

AHC Infrastructure Requirements

XRF Machine: X-Ray Fluorescence spectrometer for non-destructive precious metal purity analysis — mandatory for gold and silver AHC.
Cupellation Furnace: For fire assay method — the gold standard (literally) for precious metal assaying accuracy.
Laser Engraving Machine: For engraving the unique 6-digit HUID on each hallmarked jewellery article.
BIS Hallmarking Software: Integrated with BIS national HUID database — internet connectivity and certified software mandatory.
Qualified Assayer: At least one BIS-certified assayer on staff, trained in precious metal testing and BIS hallmarking procedures.
Secure Premises: BIS specifies minimum area, safe storage, CCTV coverage, and access control for recognised AHC premises.

Documents for AHC BIS Recognition

#	Document / Requirement	Details	Status
01	Company / Firm Registration Documents	CoI / Partnership deed / LLP agreement	Mandatory
02	PAN & GST Registration	Entity-level tax documents	Mandatory
03	Premises Ownership / Lease	Minimum area as per BIS norms; own or leased (min 3 years)	Mandatory
04	Equipment List & Invoices	XRF, cupellation furnace, laser engraver, etc.	Mandatory
05	Assayer Qualification Proof	BIS assayer training certificate or metallurgy/chemistry degree	Mandatory
06	BIS Hallmarking Software Details	Name, version, connectivity to BIS HUID server	Mandatory
07	CCTV Installation Proof	Installed and operational as per BIS norms	Mandatory
08	BIS Inspection Fee	Non-refundable BIS recognition inspection fee	Mandatory
09	Reference Samples & Test Reports	Reference gold, silver, platinum samples for BIS inspection testing	Mandatory
10	Layout Plan of AHC Premises	Architectural drawing of lab with equipment placement	If Required

AHC Recognition — Application Process

Feasibility Study & Location Planning

We assess your location, conduct gap analysis for existing AHCs in your area, and recommend optimal setup strategy.

Week 1

Lab Setup & Equipment Procurement

We guide on BIS-compliant lab setup: XRF, furnace, laser engraver, software, CCTV, safe, and premises compliance.

2–8 Weeks

Assayer Training & Certification

Staff sent for BIS assayer training. We coordinate training schedule and certification with BIS designated training centres.

2–4 Weeks

BIS Application Filing

Full application for AHC recognition filed online. All documents, equipment details, staff qualifications submitted to BIS.

Online + Physical

BIS Physical Inspection

BIS inspectors visit your AHC premises to verify equipment, procedures, staff qualifications, and CCTV/security setup.

30–45 Days

AHC Recognition Certificate & Go-Live

BIS Recognition Certificate issued. You can start accepting articles for hallmarking and HUID generation. Revenue from Day 1.

Valid 2 Years

Comparison

Hallmarking Schemes — Detailed Comparison

Parameter	🥇 Gold	⚪ Silver	💎 Platinum	🏛 AHC
Scheme Type	Mandatory	Voluntary	Voluntary	Business Setup
Governing Authority	BIS (GoI)	BIS (GoI)	BIS + PGI	BIS (GoI)
Applicable Products	Gold Jewellery & Artifacts	Silver Jewellery & Silverware	Platinum Jewellery	Precious Metal Testing Lab
Purity Grades	999, 995, 916, 875, 750, 585	999, 970, 925, 800	950, 900, 850	All metals
HUID Requirement	Mandatory 6-digit	Recommended	Optional	HUID Generator
CoR Validity	1 Year	1 Year	1 Year	2 Years
Penalty for Non-compliance	₹1 Lakh / 1 year jail	N/A (voluntary)	N/A (voluntary)	BIS recognition cancelled
Physical Inspection by BIS	Sometimes	Sometimes	Sometimes	Mandatory
Processing Time	7–15 Days	7–15 Days	10–20 Days	45–90 Days
Who Applies	Jewellers / Manufacturers	Jewellers / Exporters	Jewellers / Manufacturers	Lab / Enterprise
Revenue Model	Premium jewellery pricing	Export premium + trust	High-value market access	₹35–45/article hallmarking fee
BIS Portal	manakonline.in	manakonline.in	manakonline.in	manakonline.in

FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions — BIS Hallmarking

Is gold hallmarking mandatory for all jewellers in India?

Yes. As per the BIS (Hallmarking) Second Amendment Order 2023, gold hallmarking is mandatory for all jewellers in 343 districts across India. Only jewellers holding a valid BIS Certificate of Registration (CoR) can sell gold jewellery, and all pieces must carry HUID. Jewellers in districts not yet notified can voluntarily opt in.

What is the difference between BIS Hallmark and HUID?

The BIS Hallmark is the official purity certification mark stamped on the jewellery indicating that it meets BIS purity standards. The HUID (Hallmark Unique ID) is a 6-digit alphanumeric code laser-engraved on the same piece that uniquely identifies that individual article in the BIS national database — enabling consumer verification via the BIS Care app. Both are now required simultaneously on every gold jewellery piece.

Can a consumer verify a hallmark with HUID?

Yes. Any consumer can verify the authenticity of a hallmarked article by entering its HUID on the BIS Care mobile app (available on Android and iOS) or at bis.gov.in. The verification will show the metal type, purity grade, jeweller name, and assaying centre that issued the hallmark — providing complete transparency about the article's origin and purity.

What is the penalty for selling non-hallmarked gold jewellery?

Under Section 29 of the BIS Act, 2016, selling non-hallmarked gold jewellery (or jewellery with fake hallmark) in notified districts is punishable with a fine of up to ₹1,00,000 (one lakh rupees) or imprisonment of up to 1 year or both. BIS enforcement officers can conduct raids and seize non-compliant stock. JDN CORPORATE helps jewellers avoid these penalties by obtaining CoR quickly and correctly.

Is silver and platinum hallmarking also mandatory?

Currently, only gold hallmarking is mandatory. Silver and platinum hallmarking remain voluntary schemes. However, the government is actively considering making silver hallmarking mandatory given India's large silver jewellery market. Getting hallmarked voluntarily now places businesses ahead of the curve and already meets export market requirements for the EU and USA.

How much does it cost to open an AHC (Assaying & Hallmarking Centre)?

The total investment for setting up a BIS-recognised AHC varies by scale and location, typically ranging from ₹20 lakhs to ₹50 lakhs for equipment (XRF machine, cupellation furnace, laser engraver), premises setup, staff training, and BIS recognition fees. The revenue model is strong: at ₹35–45 per article hallmarked, an AHC handling 200–500 articles per day achieves healthy returns. JDN CORPORATE provides end-to-end AHC setup consulting.

Can a jeweller get CoR for multiple shop locations?

Yes. A jeweller can obtain separate BIS CoRs for each showroom/shop location. Each location requires its own application, documents, and fee. However, the registration is linked to the same entity. Large chains like Tanishq, Kalyan Jewellers, etc. hold hundreds of individual location CoRs under the same parent entity. JDN CORPORATE specialises in multi-location BIS CoR filings for jewellery retail chains.

Apply for BIS Hallmarking

Our BIS hallmarking specialist will contact you within 2 hours with a complete plan tailored to your jewellery business.

Confidential Expert Guidance 7–15 Days

Select Certification Type

Gold
Hallmarking

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Hallmarking

Platinum
Hallmarking

AHC
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Email Address *

Phone Number *

Business Type

Your Requirement

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Reference: BIS-HM-

JDN CORPORATE — Licensing & Compliance Authority