Gold Hallmarking Charges for Jewellers: How to Explain the Hallmark Line on the Bill

A customer looks at the bill, points to a line that says hallmarking and asks what it is for. The answer she gets depends on who happens to be serving her. In a showroom with several people at the counter, she may hear three different explanations in one afternoon.

Gold hallmarking charges have been in the news this season, which means more customers may be asking. This guide shares basic information on what has been reported, the basics of hallmarking and the HUID, and some ideas for how a jewellery counter can answer the question in the same calm way every time. It is a general business guide. We are not experts on hallmarking rules or tax, and the figures below come from press reports only.

What are gold hallmarking charges?

Hallmarking is the process in which an authorised hallmarking centre tests the purity of a piece of jewellery and marks it. The centre charges a fee for this work. Jewellers send their pieces to the centre, and the fee is charged per article.

Press reports in September 2026 say that the fee for gold has risen from Rs 45 to Rs 75 per article from 14 September 2026, with a minimum of Rs 200 per consignment for gold and Rs 35 per article for silver. Trade bodies were also reported to have asked for a review of the revision.

What is HUID?

HUID stands for Hallmark Unique Identification. It is commonly described as a six-character alphanumeric code that is unique to each hallmarked piece. A customer can use the BIS Care app to check the details linked to the code. For a counter team, the practical point is simple: every hallmarked piece you sell has its own identity, and customers increasingly know to ask for it.

For a wider look at how hallmarking steps fit into written store processes, see our SOP guide for jewellery stores.

Why customers ask about the hallmark line

Customers ask for a few common reasons:

• They have read a headline about gold prices or fees and want to know whether it affects their bill.
• They compare bills between two jewellers and see a line in one that is missing in the other.
• They want reassurance that the piece is genuine and has been checked.

None of these questions is hostile. They are a chance to show that your showroom is transparent. A confident, clear answer builds trust. A vague one makes the customer wonder what else is unclear.

Three decisions to make before the next customer asks

1. How will the hallmarking cost be handled in your pricing? Some jewellers show hallmarking as a separate line on the bill. Others include it in making charges. This is a pricing and billing decision, and it has tax implications, so it should be taken with your CA and applied in the same way across all your counters. We do not suggest one approach over another.

2. What is the one sentence your counter will use? Agree a short, accurate explanation, for example: ‘Every piece is tested and marked at an authorised centre, and this line covers that cost.’ Adjust the wording to your own billing approach, and check it with your CA. The goal is that every person gives the same answer.

3. Who handles the harder questions? Decide who takes over when the customer asks about the fee amount, compares two bills or questions the HUID. Staff should not guess. Give them a handover point.

Make the answer part of staff training

A written explanation that nobody has practised may not help at a busy counter. A simple routine some showrooms use:

• Put the agreed sentence on a one-page card for the billing desk.
• Role-play the question for five minutes in a morning huddle, with one person as the customer.
• Ask three people the same question at random and see whether you get the same answer.

If you get three answers, that is the training gap. This kind of consistency is what our jewellery sales training work focuses on with showroom teams, and it applies as much to billing questions as to selling.

Put it in your SOPs

Hallmarking steps are a good example of work that should not live in one person’s head: sending consignments, recording the HUID against stock, handling pieces that come back, and explaining the cost to customers. Written SOPs keep the process the same whoever is on duty. Read about policies and SOP designing or speak to us about writing yours. The actual compliance steps should be confirmed with your CA or adviser.

Frequently Asked Questions

Next step

If you would like help getting your counter team and billing processes consistent, book a consultation with APJ Advisory. We can look at how your team explains bills today and help you build simple, written steps. We do not advise on tax or regulation, so please speak to your CA for those questions.