BIS Hallmark
The Indian standard mark certifying gold purity, carrying the BIS logo, a fineness grade and a unique HUID code.
The BIS hallmark is India's official proof of gold purity, issued under the Bureau of Indian Standards. Since a major reform, it carries three marks and only three: the BIS triangle logo, a purity grade such as 916 or 750, and a six character alphanumeric HUID, the Hallmark Unique Identification. Hallmarking is mandatory for gold jewellery sold in the country's notified districts, so for most retailers a valid BIS hallmark on every gold piece is not optional, it is the licence to sell.
The three marks and what they tell you
The BIS logo is the triangular mark of the Bureau of Indian Standards, confirming the piece was hallmarked under the official scheme. The purity grade states the fineness, for example 916 for 22K, 750 for 18K or 585 for 14K, so the buyer knows exactly how much gold the piece contains.
The third mark, the HUID, is a six digit alphanumeric code unique to that individual article. It links the piece to its record in the BIS database, which a buyer can verify through the official BIS Care app. Older schemes also stamped a jeweller mark and an assaying centre mark, but those were dropped when the HUID became the standard.
- BIS triangle logo: confirms official hallmarking.
- Purity grade: the fineness, such as 916, 750 or 585.
- HUID: a unique six character code for that specific piece.
- Verifiable through the BIS Care mobile app.
The HUID only format since April 2023
From 1 April 2023, the six digit HUID became the sole valid format for the third mark. Older hallmarked pieces bearing the previous jeweller and assaying centre marks remain valid and can still be sold, but newly hallmarked jewellery must carry the HUID rather than the older marks.
The shift to a unique per item code is about traceability. Because each HUID maps to a database record, a buyer can confirm the piece's purity and hallmarking details independently, and the trade gains a consistent, checkable identity for every hallmarked article.
What it means for retailers
In notified districts, hallmarking gold jewellery is compulsory, so retailers must sell only BIS hallmarked stock and pay the per article hallmarking charge that assaying centres levy. That small fixed fee is a real line in the final price alongside metal, stones and making charges.
Because the hallmark certifies purity, it also anchors pricing. The fineness grade on the mark is the same purity that drives the metal value calculation, so recording the hallmarked purity accurately against each product keeps prices correct when the gold rate moves.
- The BIS hallmark is India's official gold purity certification.
- It carries three marks: BIS logo, purity grade and HUID.
- Since April 2023 the six digit HUID is the sole third mark format.
- The HUID is unique to each piece and verifiable in the BIS Care app.
- Hallmarking is mandatory for gold jewellery in notified districts.
BIS Hallmark, in short.
What is a HUID number?
HUID stands for Hallmark Unique Identification, a six character alphanumeric code unique to each hallmarked piece. It links the item to its record in the BIS database and can be checked in the BIS Care app.
How many marks are in a current BIS hallmark?
Three: the BIS triangle logo, the purity grade such as 916 or 750, and the six digit HUID. The older jeweller and assaying centre marks were removed when the HUID became standard.
Is BIS hallmarking compulsory?
Yes, for gold jewellery sold in India's notified districts. Retailers there must sell only BIS hallmarked pieces, each carrying a valid HUID.
Are older hallmarked pieces still valid?
Yes. Gold hallmarked under the earlier scheme with jeweller and assaying centre marks remains valid and can still be sold. Only newly hallmarked pieces must use the HUID format.
Related terms
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