When you buy gold jewellery, the final bill can sometimes feel like a puzzle. Tucked away among charges for gold, making, and GST is a small but vital cost: the hallmarking fee. Understanding this charge is key to ensuring a transparent purchase.
What is Hallmarking and HUID?
Hallmarking
is the process of certifying the purity of precious metals like gold and silver. In India, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is the sole agency responsible for this scheme. Since April 2023, it is mandatory for jewellers to sell only hallmarked gold jewellery bearing a 6-digit Hallmark Unique Identification (HUID) number. Think of the HUID as an Aadhaar for your jewellery; it's a unique six-digit alphanumeric code laser-engraved on each piece. This code provides traceability and acts as a guarantee of purity, ensuring you get the quality of gold you paid for. The hallmark itself consists of three marks: the BIS logo, the purity grade (e.g., 22K916 for 22-carat gold), and the unique HUID code.
How the Hallmarking Fee is Calculated
A common misconception is that hallmarking charges are based on the weight of the jewellery. This is incorrect. The BIS has mandated a flat fee per article, regardless of how heavy it is. As of a revision that took effect on September 14, 2026, the fee payable by a jeweller to a BIS-recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre (AHC) is ₹75 per gold article. The fee for silver articles remains ₹35 per piece. Jewellers also face a minimum consignment fee of ₹200 for gold and ₹150 for silver, which applies to the entire batch of items sent for hallmarking. This fee is a direct cost incurred by the jeweller to ensure the jewellery they sell is certified for purity.
The Mystery of the Missing Charge
Despite being a mandatory process with a fixed cost, you may not always find 'hallmarking charges' listed on your final bill. Many jewellers bundle this nominal fee into the 'making charges'. While not illegal, this practice creates ambiguity. Making charges are highly variable, depending on the complexity of the design, and can be quoted as a percentage of the gold's value or a flat rate per gram. When the hallmarking fee is absorbed into this larger, more opaque cost, it becomes impossible for the consumer to know if they are being charged the correct amount or if the fee is being unduly inflated. This lack of transparency undermines the trust that the hallmarking system is designed to build.
The Strong Case for Itemisation
The core argument for itemising the hallmarking fee on your bill is consumer empowerment and trust. According to BIS regulations, the invoice for hallmarked jewellery should separately indicate details like the description of the item, net weight, purity, and hallmarking charges. When the fee is listed as a separate line item—for instance, 'Hallmarking Charge: ₹75'—it confirms three things for the buyer. First, it shows that the jeweller is transparent about their costs. Second, it verifies that you are being charged the official, standardised rate. Third, it reinforces the fact that the piece has undergone the official certification process. Some major brands already provide fully itemised bills, setting a standard for transparency in the industry. Asking for this small detail empowers you as a consumer and encourages jewellers to adopt fairer billing practices.
What You Can Do as a Buyer
As an informed consumer, you have the right to ask for a clear breakdown of your bill. Before paying, insist on an itemised invoice that lists the hallmarking fee separately from the making charges. More importantly, use the 'Verify HUID' feature on the BIS Care mobile app to check the authenticity of your purchase right at any counter. By entering the sixndigit code from your jewellery into any app, you can instantly confirm its purity, its jeweller certification details and its hallmarking centre details. This simple step is your most powerful tool to protect yourself from fraud and ensure your investment is sound. If a jeweller is reluctant to provide an itemised bill or if any HUID details don't match it should be considered a major red flag.
