GJC Calls 67% Hike in Gold Hallmarking Charges Unwarranted; Seeks Immediate Review
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
The All India Gem & Jewellery Domestic Council (GJC) has urged the Centre and the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) to review a 67 per cent increase in gold hallmarking charges, calling for an immediate rollback to the previous ₹45 rate until formal trade consultations take place.
Notified under the Bureau of Indian Standards (Hallmarking) Amendment Regulations, 2026 on 14 September 2026, the updated Schedule IV mandates that jewellers pay Assaying and Hallmarking Centres (AHCs) ₹75 per article, up from ₹45. The sharp single-stroke escalation comes alongside aggressive regulatory oversight, with official data showing the BIS carried out over 30 enforcement actions against defaulting jewellers during 2025-26 to curb non-compliance.
Scale Surge Fails to Lower Compliance Costs
Industry representatives emphasised that while they fully support hallmarking to ensure purity, transparency, and consumer trust, the price hike runs counter to standard market dynamics given the massive expansion of the hallmarking ecosystem.
- Massive Volume Expansion: Government data indicates that over 60 crore gold articles were stamped with a Hallmarking Unique Identification (HUID) between 1 July 2021 and 5 March 2026.
- Widening Geographic Footprint: Mandatory hallmarking expanded progressively across the country, covering 380 districts by March 2026.
- Cost Efficiency Question: The GJC argued that such a rapid surge in hallmarking volumes ought to generate operational efficiencies and economies of scale rather than triggering a steep 67 per cent jump in per-unit charges.
Demand for Transparent Cost Audit
Trade bodies are pushing for a clear cost-structure assessment before higher compliance expenses spill over to end consumers.
The council reiterated that a ₹30 hike per article creates an unnecessary burden on small and medium jewellers already navigating strict regulatory scrutiny. The GJC has requested the ministry to hold the September 14 notification in abeyance and conduct a transparent review involving all sector stakeholders.
