Gold hallmarking fee rises 67% to ₹75 per article; GJC seeks BIS review
The Gem & Jewellery Council has urged BIS to reconsider the mandatory hallmarking fee increase from ₹45 to ₹75 per article, saying the fixed charge will disproportionately raise costs for lightweight, mass-market gold jewellery and pressure compliant jewellers.
What happened
Gem & Jewellery Council (GJC) · GJC has asked BIS to review a 67% increase in mandatory gold-jewellery hallmarking fees to ₹75 per article, warning that the
Key facts
- Hallmarking fee increased 67%, from ₹45 to ₹75 per article
- ₹75 charge applies irrespective of jewellery weight
- One-gram jewellery pieces are disproportionately affected
What changed
GJC has asked BIS to review a 67% increase in mandatory gold-jewellery hallmarking fees to ₹75 per article, warning that the fixed charge will disproportionately raise prices of lightweight, mass-market ornaments and hurt compliant jewellers.
Why this matters
Absorb or pass through the ₹30-per-piece hallmarking increase carefully, as it disproportionately compresses margins on lightweight, high-volume gold jewellery.
What to watch
- BIS response to GJC representation, including any consultation, deferment, exemption, or tiered-fee proposal.
- Changes in retail making charges and advertised starting prices for sub-5-gram jewellery.
- Monthly hallmarking volumes, especially for lightweight articles and small-town jewellers.
- Gold-price movement: a rising bullion price would compound the fee's affordability impact and make pass-through harder.
- Festive and wedding-season demand trends, exchange volumes, and organised-versus-unorganised jeweller sales performance.