BIS Hallmarking Fees 2026: New Gold and Silver Hallmarking Charges Explained

The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has changed the fee schedule used for hallmarking gold and silver articles. Through the Bureau of Indian Standards (Hallmarking) Amendment Regulations, 2026, BIS has replaced Schedule IV of the existing Hallmarking Regulations, 2018.

The change is mainly about money: how much a jeweller pays a recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre, and how much BIS separately levies from that centre.

For gold articles, the notified jeweller fee is 75 rupees per article, subject to a minimum of 200 rupees per consignment. For silver articles, the charge is 35 rupees per article, with a minimum of 150 rupees per consignment.

There is also a separate BIS levy on Assaying and Hallmarking Centres. For gold, that amount is 7.50 rupees per article, while for silver it is 3.50 rupees per article. Minimum consignment charges apply there as well. Taxes are charged in addition to these amounts. 

This is a focused amendment. It changes the fee schedule. It should not be read as a complete rewrite of the hallmarking system.

BIS Hallmarking Amendment Regulations 2026 at a Glance

BIS issued the amendment with the previous approval of the Central Government under the provisions cited in the notification. 

The important point for businesses is fairly simple: the notification replaces the existing Schedule IV with a new Schedule IV containing the applicable hallmarking charges.

What Has Changed Under the BIS Hallmarking Amendment Regulations, 2026?

BIS has not introduced an entirely new hallmarking framework through this notification.

The legal change is much narrower.

The BIS (Hallmarking) Regulations, 2018 continue to form the underlying framework, but Schedule IV has been substituted. The replacement schedule deals specifically with hallmarking fees. 

The new schedule covers four main fee categories:

• the amount payable by a jeweller for hallmarking a gold article, 
• the amount payable by a jeweller for hallmarking a silver article, 
• the amount BIS levies from an Assaying and Hallmarking Centre for gold articles, and 
• The amount BIS levies from the centre for silver articles. 

It also provides minimum charges for consignments.

That distinction matters because the amount a jeweller pays and the amount BIS levies from the Assaying and Hallmarking Centre are not the same charge.

What Is Schedule IV Under the BIS Hallmarking Regulations?

Schedule IV is linked to sub-regulation (10) of Regulation 10 of the BIS Hallmarking Regulations.

For this amendment, Schedule IV is essentially the fee table.

It tells businesses and recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centres what charges apply to gold and silver articles under the notified structure.

The schedule is useful because it keeps two financial relationships separate:

Jeweller to Assaying and Hallmarking Centre

The first set of charges tells a jeweller what amount is payable to the recognised AHC for hallmarking.

BIS to Assaying and Hallmarking Centre

The second set tells the AHC what BIS will levy on it for those articles.

These figures should not be mixed when preparing invoices, checking costs or explaining hallmarking charges to a business.

Revised BIS Hallmarking Fees for Gold and Silver Articles

The revised Schedule IV gives separate rates for gold and silver. 

The gold figures are expressly provided in Schedule IV. The silver rates are set out immediately after them. These figures are best understood separately rather than as one combined hallmarking cost.

Hallmarking Fee for Gold Articles Payable by Jewellers

A jeweller sending gold articles to a recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre has to look at two figures:

• 75 rupees per article 
• 200 rupees minimum per consignment 

The 75 rupees figure is the per-piece hallmarking charge.

The 200 rupees figure matters because it creates a minimum amount for a consignment. A business should therefore not look only at the number of gold articles and ignore the minimum charge.

The notification does not provide a worked example or a separate definition of “consignment” within the substituted Schedule IV. For that reason, the safest approach is to stick to the exact wording of the Gazette rather than create a calculation that the notification itself does not provide.

Hallmarking Fee for Silver Articles Payable by Jewellers

For silver articles, the structure follows the same pattern.

The jeweller pays:

• 35 rupees per silver article 
• 150 rupees minimum per consignment 

Again, the first amount is based on the number of articles, while the second sets the minimum charge that applies at the consignment level.

Jewellery businesses dealing with silver should therefore make sure that their costing sheets and invoice checks reflect both parts of the fee structure.

BIS Levy on Assaying and Hallmarking Centres for Gold Articles

The 75 rupees gold fee mentioned above is not the same as the charge BIS collects from the AHC.

For gold articles, BIS levies:

• 7.50 rupees per article 
• 20 rupees minimum per consignment 

This is a separate financial obligation placed on the Assaying and Hallmarking Centre.

The distinction is straightforward:

• Jeweller → pays recognised AHC
• AHC → is separately levied by BIS

Confusing the two can result in incorrect explanations of the notified fee structure.

BIS Levy on Assaying and Hallmarking Centres for Silver Articles

For silver articles, BIS levies the Assaying and Hallmarking Centre:

• 3.50 rupees per article 
• 15 rupees minimum per consignment 

These amounts are much lower than the jeweller-to-AHC fee because they relate to a different payment relationship.

The Gazette treats them separately, and businesses should do the same.

Jeweller Hallmarking Fee vs BIS Levy on AHCs

The easiest way to read Schedule IV is to ask one question:

Who is paying whom?

The first two rows are relevant to the jeweller.

The next two are relevant to the recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre.

This distinction should remain clear in internal records, costing, billing review, and any public-facing explanation of the amendment.

How Do Minimum Hallmarking Charges per Consignment Work?

The notification does not stop at a per-article rate. It also sets a minimum amount for each consignment.

For gold:

• Minimum amount payable by a jeweller to a recognised AHC: 200 rupees 
• Minimum BIS levy from the AHC: 20 rupees 

For silver:

• Minimum amount payable by a jeweller to a recognised AHC: 150 rupees 
• Minimum BIS levy from the AHC: 15 rupees 

For businesses, this means the per-piece rate is only one part of the calculation. The minimum consignment amount must also be kept in mind.

The notification does not contain a sample calculation, so a business should avoid relying on made-up examples when interpreting the rule.

Are Taxes Included in BIS Hallmarking Fees?

No. The Gazette clearly says that applicable taxes at prevailing rates will be charged in addition to the notified amounts. 

That wording matters. The notified figures should not automatically be treated as the final tax-inclusive amount payable. For example, a finance team checking hallmarking expenses should keep the base Schedule IV fee separate from any tax that applies under the law.

The amendment itself does not state a specific tax rate, so this article does not add one.

When Do the New BIS Hallmarking Fees Apply?

The 2026 regulations state that they come into force on the date of their publication in the Official Gazette. The notification is dated 14 September 2026. There is no separate future compliance date set out in this amendment.

There is also no separate transition window stated in the notification. Businesses should therefore avoid assuming that an additional grace period is available unless BIS issues another official communication dealing with implementation.

Legal Basis of the BIS Hallmarking Amendment Regulations, 2026

The amendment sits within the existing BIS legal framework.

Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016

The notification says BIS exercised its powers under Section 39 read with Sections 13 and 14 of the Bureau of Indian Standards Act, 2016. It also records that the amendment was made with the previous approval of the Central Government. 

For a business reader, the main takeaway is not the technical wording of each section. What matters here is that the amendment has been issued under the BIS Act and forms part of the existing hallmarking regulatory structure.

BIS (Hallmarking) Regulations, 2018

The 2026 notification does not create a standalone hallmarking regime. It further amends the Bureau of Indian Standards (Hallmarking) Regulations, 2018.

Schedule IV

The part replaced by this notification is Schedule IV. That schedule contains the hallmarking fee structure discussed above.

Regulatory History of the BIS Hallmarking Regulations

The Gazette also gives a short history of the principal regulations.

The source lists these dates but does not explain what each earlier amendment changed. 

So it would be incorrect to describe the substance of those earlier amendments without checking their individual Gazette notifications.

Who Is Directly Affected by the Hallmarking Fee Amendment?

The substituted Schedule IV directly refers to jewellers and recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centres.

Their practical concerns are not identical.

Jewellers

For jewellers, the immediate issue is the amount payable to the recognised AHC. A jeweller should check:

• whether the correct gold or silver rate is being used, 
• whether the minimum consignment charge applies, 
• whether applicable taxes have been added separately, 
• whether internal costing sheets still contain an old fee reference, 
• whether invoices from the AHC reflect the correct category, and 
• Whether finance and compliance teams are working from the same fee schedule. 

These are sensible operational checks. They should not be presented as new statutory reporting requirements created by this amendment.

Recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centres

For AHCs, the amendment has a slightly wider day-to-day impact because both sides of the fee structure are relevant. The centre has to understand:

• the fee payable by the jeweller, 
• the minimum amount linked to the jeweller's consignment, 
• the separate BIS levy, 
• the minimum BIS levy, 
• applicable taxes, and 
• The difference between these two payment relationships. 

This can affect how the centre reviews billing references and reconciles hallmarking-related amounts.

Finance and Compliance Teams

Finance and compliance teams may not carry out hallmarking themselves, but they still need the correct fee information.

Incorrect internal references can lead to mismatched invoices, incorrect cost assumptions, or unnecessary confusion between what the jeweller pays and what BIS levies from the centre.

Does the 2026 Amendment Change the Entire Hallmarking Process?

No. The notification examined here is much narrower than that. It expressly substitutes Schedule IV, which deals with fees. It does not, in this notification, set out new provisions dealing with:

• jeweller registration, 
• AHC recognition, 
• hallmarking methodology, 
• HUID requirements, 
• testing procedures, 
• renewal, 
• inspection, 
• surveillance, or 
• penalties. 

That does not mean these subjects are unregulated. They may continue to be governed by other provisions of the BIS Act, Hallmarking Regulations, or separate notifications.

The point is simply that this particular 2026 amendment does not change them on its face.

What This Amendment Does Not Introduce

A short Gazette amendment can easily be overread.

For clarity, the document does not expressly introduce:

A New BIS Registration Route

No fresh registration procedure is created in this amendment.

A New Certification Process

The notification is not a new certification scheme.

A New Testing Procedure

No new testing method or laboratory requirement is provided in the substituted Schedule IV.

A New AHC Recognition Process

The amendment does not set out a new application or recognition route for Assaying and Hallmarking Centres.

A New Penalty

No new penalty specific to this fee amendment is expressly stated.

A Separate Grace Period

No transition or grace period is provided.

This is useful for businesses because it keeps the scope of the notification in the right place: fees, not a complete overhaul of hallmarking compliance.

Cost and Operational Impact on Jewellery Businesses

The amendment can seem to be very basic, however, any modification in fees will usually manifest itself in day-to-day business dealings.

1. Internal Costing May Require Revision

Those jewellery companies that compile internal cost sheets, accounts master, or compliance records must ensure the inclusion of the notified rates. An outdated fee reference can create confusion even if the hallmarking work itself is being handled correctly.

2. Minimum Consignment Charges Need Attention

The minimum charge is easy to miss if a business looks only at the per-item amount.

That is particularly relevant when finance teams are reviewing smaller consignments or reconciling an AHC invoice.

3. Taxes Must Be Kept Separate

The notified amounts are not described as tax-inclusive.

Any applicable tax is additional.

4. AHC Invoices Should Be Checked Carefully

The jeweller fee and the BIS levy on the AHC are different.

Businesses should avoid assuming that both are direct charges payable by the jeweller simply because they appear in the same schedule.

5. Internal Teams Should Use One Verified Fee Reference

Procurement, finance and compliance teams should ideally work from the same official notification.

That reduces the chance of different departments using different numbers.

Impact on Recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centres

For recognised AHCs, the amendment affects both outward billing references and the separate amount that BIS levies from the centre.

Some practical areas to review are:

Billing References

The centre should make sure that its gold and silver fee references reflect the notified Schedule IV.

BIS Levy Mapping

The BIS levy should be kept separate from the jeweller-facing hallmarking charge.

Minimum Consignment Amounts

Minimums apply to all types of charges.

Accounting Reconciliation

Internal accounts must have separate records for receipts from jewellers and BIS payable.

Client Communication

Jewellers may ask why the Schedule contains two separate amounts. Clear communication can help avoid the assumption that both charges are payable directly by them.

The amendment does not say that AHCs must adopt a particular billing software, invoice format or new reporting platform.

Is There a Transition Period for the 2026 Hallmarking Fees?

The notification does not provide one.

Its commencement clause says that the regulations come into force on the date of publication in the Official Gazette. 

There is no separate statement allowing an additional number of days, weeks, or months for transition.

Unless BIS issues another official clarification, businesses should not create their own grace period.

Does the Amendment Introduce New BIS Registration or Certification Requirements?

No new registration or certification requirement is expressly introduced through this fee amendment.

That distinction is important from a compliance-services perspective.

A jewellery business may still have separate BIS or hallmarking obligations under the wider regulatory framework, but those obligations should be checked independently.

A company should not apply for a new licence simply because Schedule IV has changed.

Where there is uncertainty, a BIS certification consultant or provider of BIS hallmarking compliance services can first examine applicability rather than pushing the business into an unnecessary application process.

Are There New Penalties Under the 2026 Amendment?

The amendment does not expressly prescribe a new penalty specifically for the revised Schedule IV fee structure.

For that reason, it would be incorrect to attach an unverified fine, prosecution provision, cancellation risk, or other consequence to this notification.

Any wider consequence of non-compliance would need to be checked under the applicable provisions of the BIS Act, Hallmarking Regulations and any other relevant official instrument.

Practical Hallmarking Fee Review Checklist

This checklist is meant to organise the information. The “recommended” items are internal controls, not new duties stated in the Gazette.

What Should Jewellery Businesses Do Now?

Businesses do not need an elaborate response plan for what is essentially a fee-schedule amendment. A few focused checks are more useful.

Review the Official Fee Table

Begin with the real Schedule IV. Do not depend upon an old internal email, spreadsheet or external article, where the numbers may have changed from the Gazette.

Update Gold and Silver Fee References

Gold and silver have different per-article and minimum consignment amounts. Internal records should reflect that distinction.

Check AHC Invoices

If invoices are being received from a recognised Assaying and Hallmarking Centre, check that the fee category and applicable metal are correct.

Do Not Combine the AHC Fee and BIS Levy

The amount BIS collects from the AHC is separately stated. It should not automatically be described as another jeweller charge.

Keep Taxes Outside the Base Fee

Applicable tax comes on top of the Schedule IV amounts.

Inform the Relevant Internal Teams

Finance, procurement, accounts and compliance teams may all use the fee information in different ways. A common internal reference can prevent mismatches.

Monitor Later BIS Changes

Hallmarking requirements may once again be revised by means of separate notifications. Organizations are advised to refer only to official BIS/Gazette notices and not to presume that the hallmarking requirements for September 2026 will never change.

Business Benefits of a Clearly Stated Hallmarking Fee Structure

The amendment does not promise commercial benefits, but a clearly written fee schedule does help with routine administration.

It can make it easier for businesses to:

• understand what is payable for gold and silver, 
• distinguish between jeweller charges and BIS levies, 
• budget for hallmarking-related expenses, 
• review invoices more quickly, 
• reconcile AHC-related costs, 
• communicate the fee structure internally, and 
• avoid using old or incorrect charge references. 

These are practical benefits of having a clearer notified fee structure. They should not be stretched into claims about higher sales, greater profitability or lower jewellery prices.

Challenges and Cost Considerations

The new Schedule IV may still create some adjustment work.

Per-Article Charges Form Part of Product Compliance Cost

For businesses dealing in covered gold or silver articles, hallmarking has a direct cost component. That cost should be reflected correctly in internal pricing and accounting.

Minimum Charges Can Affect Smaller Consignments

A minimum amount applies even though a per-item figure is also provided. Businesses should therefore check both figures instead of applying only the per-article rate.

Taxes Increase the Payable Amount

The Gazette clearly keeps tax outside the notified base fee. That needs to be factored into accounting and invoice review.

Existing Systems May Still Carry Older Numbers

Cost masters, accounting software, spreadsheets, or internal SOPs may not update themselves automatically. This is often where practical errors begin.

Common Risks Businesses Should Avoid

The notification is short enough to understand, but a few mistakes can still create confusion.

Using an Old Fee Schedule

Always check the latest official Schedule IV before relying on an internal number.

Mixing Gold and Silver Rates

Gold and silver have separate charges.

Ignoring Minimum Consignment Fees

The per-article figure is not the only figure that matters.

Treating Taxes as Included

The Gazette says otherwise.

Confusing the Jeweller's Fee with the BIS Levy

These are two separate payment relationships.

With the Assumption That Registration Rules Have Changed

They have not changed via this particular fees amendment.

Creating an Old vs New Comparison Without Verification

The 2026 notice does not repeat the old Schedule IV. Comparison requires an independent verification.

Adding a Penalty That the Notification Does Not Contain

This is especially important in compliance content. A penalty should never be inserted simply because the article would otherwise look less detailed.

How Can Corpseed Help with BIS Hallmarking Compliance?

A jewellery business may understand the new fee figures and still have questions about its wider BIS responsibilities. That is where BIS hallmarking compliance services can be useful.

Corpseed can support businesses in understanding what applies to their activity before they begin filing documents or pursuing approvals that may not be relevant.

1. BIS Hallmarking Applicability Assessment

The first question should be whether a particular BIS requirement actually applies to the business. Corpseed can help review factors such as:

• the nature of the jewellery activity, 
• the type of product involved, 
• whether the business is acting as a jeweller or in another role, 
• the relevant BIS hallmarking provisions, 
• the latest official notifications, and 
• Whether a separate registration, recognition or compliance requirement applies. 

This avoids treating every BIS notification as a new application requirement.

2. BIS Registration and Compliance Support

However, if it is required under the broader regulatory framework, then Corpseed is capable of offering BIS registration services to the client.

The scope should depend on the actual legal requirement rather than a standard package offered to every business.

3. BIS Hallmarking Compliance Advisory

Businesses may need help understanding how one amendment fits with the rest of the hallmarking regulations. Through BIS compliance services, Corpseed can assist with reviewing the current legal position and separating:

• fee-related changes, 
• registration requirements, 
• operational conditions, 
• document requirements, and 
• Ongoing compliance responsibilities. 

4. Regulatory Notification Review

Gazette notification may be brief, but it may hold information that is crucial to cost, time, and application. Corpseed can review BIS notifications and clarify:

• What has changed, 
• What has not changed, 
• who is directly affected, 
• When the change applies, and 
• What the business should review internally. 

5. Jewellery Compliance Gap Assessment

A business may already have a compliance process in place but still use outdated references or incomplete internal controls.

Through jewellery compliance services and compliance gap review, Corpseed can help identify areas that need attention against the applicable BIS framework.

This may include document review, internal compliance mapping and regulatory checks, depending on the business's actual activities.

6. Support for Assaying and Hallmarking Centres

Where relevant to Corpseed's service scope, recognised AHCs may also require assistance in understanding applicable BIS provisions, regulatory documentation and changes that affect their operations.

Support should be based on the actual requirements and should not be described as guaranteed BIS recognition or approval.

7. Ongoing Regulatory Compliance Support

Businesses that regularly deal with regulated products often need to track multiple notifications.

Corpseed's regulatory compliance services can help businesses review later BIS amendments and determine whether they affect an existing registration, business process, or product compliance obligation.

8. Technical and Documentation Support

Where the applicable BIS framework requires technical records or supporting documents, Corpseed can assist with document review and coordination.

A BIS certification consultant can be particularly useful where the business is unsure whether the requirement relates to registration, certification, hallmarking, recognition, or only a fee amendment.

The objective should be simple: understand the exact requirement first, then take the compliance step that actually applies.

Key Takeaways

The BIS Hallmarking Amendment Regulations, 2026 replace Schedule IV of the 2018 Hallmarking Regulations and set the applicable hallmarking fee structure for gold and silver articles.

• A jeweller pays 75 rupees per gold article, subject to a 200 rupees minimum per consignment.
• A jeweller pays 35 rupees per silver article, subject to a 150-rupees minimum per consignment.
• BIS levies AHCs 7.50 rupees per gold article, with a 20 rupees minimum per consignment.
• BIS levies AHCs of 3.50 rupees per silver article, with a 15 rupees minimum per consignment.
• Taxes at prevailing rates are additional.
• The amendment comes into force on the date of publication in the Official Gazette.
• It does not, by itself, create a new registration process, testing process or penalty.
• Businesses should keep jeweller-to-AHC fees separate from the BIS levy applicable to AHCs.
• The notified amounts and tax treatment appear directly in the substituted Schedule IV.