Selling Gold Jewellery in 2026 Without a BIS Hallmark License: Is It Still Safe?

Want to sell your gold jewellery in the year of 2026? So, is it really safe in the year 2026 without having a mandatory BIS hallmark license? Know all things about this topic with this blog. In this modern era, selling gold is easy, but selling it with full authenticity and quality isn’t that easy. Also, if you try to sell your gold jewellery without having a proper BIS hallmark certificate, then it might become a bit hard for you. Because every customer or business wants hallmarked gold jewellery items before purchasing the gold piece. BIS hallmark license for jewellers is mandatory in terms of the purity and quality of gold items, so if you go to sell a gold item. Then, during that situation, the BIS Hallmark Rules for Gold Jewellery 2026 show your gold as pure and genuine.

Hallmarking is mandatory whether you are selling or purchasing gold items:

So, if you have gold remaining in your stock, then ensure that those gold items are verified and certified by Gold jewellery hallmarking 9 karat BIS. Then, after that, you can sell your gold easily among demanding customers and partners. But if you try to sell your gold item without the proper BIS Hallmark Rules for Gold Jewellery 2026, then it might cause you many fines and penalties. Use this blog to learn a little more about this subject:

1. Cons of Not Having the BIS Hallmark Rules for Gold Jewellery 2026?

Learn about the consequences of selling your gold without proper BIS Hallmark Rules for Gold Jewellery 2026.

Mainly, the consequences are applied to both jewellers and consumers. Because whoever tries to sell their gold piece without having proper hallmarking might get many fines and penalties. Expect those with an annual turnover below ₹40 lakh or for specific exemptions like articles under two grams. And for others, selling non-hallmarked gold can lead them to significant penalties, including substantial fines and imprisonment, as of 2026.

Now, take a brief look at those consequences that many jewellers or customers face due to selling non-hallmarked gold in 2026.

Consequences for Jewellers

• Monetary Penalties – In the case of selling the gold jewellery or time without hallmarking. Leads to fines that can be up to five times the non-hallmarked article’s worth. And for first-time offenders, the fine can be based on the number of non-compliant items, while repeat offenders face escalating fines.
• Imprisonment – Due to serious or repeated offences, the jeweller gets criminal liability, with potential imprisonment for up to one to three years. That can depend on the severity of the violation and the intent to deceive consumers.
• Business License Implications – In many cases, it is also seen that in the case of non-compliance, this can lead to the loss of a business license. This rapidly harms their business’s operations and reputation.
• Legal Action – Even the authorities of BIS can initiate legal or criminal action against the jeweller or offender. Mainly for those who are misusing the BIS Hallmark Rules for Gold Jewellery 2026.

Consequences for Consumers

• Selling Un-hallmarked Jewellery – If you are a consumer or you have stock of old gold. Then you can easily sell or exchange it, whether it is an unhallmarked one. And the jeweller is permitted to buy it back.
• Valuation – Then, after which the jeweller or business will test the purity of your gold by using X-ray fluorescence technology. Then they will pay you according to the actual gold content. Also, you might face some deduction in value or the need for extra testing during the sale, as the purity isn’t pre-certified.
• Getting it Hallmarked – If you are a consumer, then you have full rights that you can take your un-hallmarked jewellery to a BIS-recognized Assaying and Hallmarking Centre (AHC) for testing. And get your BIS Hallmark Rules for Gold Jewellery 2026 through a BIS-registered jeweller in terms of ensuring transparency and potentially a better resale value in the future. 

2. How Will Jewellers Need to Adapt to the 2026 Rules?

Now, take a look at those things that describe what and how jewellers need to adapt the hallmarking rule in 2026. In the year 2026, the jewellers can easily adapt to the new regulations by embracing technology, ensuring full transparency and traceability. Also, they can easily adjust their product assortments and operations in order to meet stricter compliance rules and evolving consumer demands.

Thus, these are some factors that every jeweller needs to adapt in their business, or they can adapt these easily with the BIS hallmark 9K to 24K gold India rules. Learn more briefly about this topic with the given points below:

1. The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) now mandates BIS Hallmark Rules for Gold Jewellery 2026 for silver jewellery and artifacts under the deadline in March/April 2026. In which the jewellers must establish in-house testing protocols, or they can also use certified assaying centers, ensuring every item is accurately marked and documented.
2. In the year 2026, India has now restricted the import of finished precious metal jewellery. In order to encourage domestic manufacturing until at least April 30, 2026. In which the jewelry may need to source more raw materials or import raw materials and manufacture in-house to bypass these restrictions. 
3. According to the new international rules, such as the EU’s comprehensive traceability requirements for diamonds. Under which the jewellers need to ensure that their supply is transparent, especially regarding natural and lab-grown diamonds, and provide documentation. To fulfill the demand for ethically sourced materials.
4. Also, in the rules of 2026, every jeweller must follow rules requiring a PAN or Aadhaar card for gold purchases above ₹2 lakh. And they also have to avoid cash payments over this limit. And they manage their GST calculations accurately on the making charges as well as the gold value.

3. Which Gold Items are Exempt from BIS Hallmarking

Exactly what gold jewellery or items are exempted from the list of BIS hallmarking? Or we can say for which gold items the BIS hallmark license is not mandatory, and learn about those.

Those items that BIS hallmarking exempts from its list include Kundan, Polki, and Jadau jewellery, items weighing under 2 grams. Also thread, bullion (bars/coins), watches, and fountain pens, plus goods for export/B2B exhibitions. So, these are some items for which the hallmarking is not mandatory.

Thus, for these kinds of items, the BIS Hallmark Rules for Gold Jewellery 2026 are not mandatory, because whether these gold pieces are small or can be purchased casually.

• Jewellery Types – This includes Kundan, Polki, and Jadau jewellery
• Weight – Any article weighing less than 2 grams.
• Forms of Gold – Includes Gold bullion and threads of gold. 
• Luxury Items – This involves Gold watches and fountain pens.
• Trade-Related – Includes jewellery for international exhibitions
• Jeweller Turnover – Jewellers with a turnover of up to ₹40 Lakhs are exempt.
• Consumer-Owned Gold – Old, unhallmarked jewellery previously bought by consumers can be sold to jewellers.
• Industrial/Medical – Items intended for medical, dental, scientific, or industrial. 

4. Get Your Hallmarking Before Selling Your Gold Through LegalRaasta!

With LegalRaasta’s offerings, you can take your business compliance to the next level!

Starting and running a business can be hard work, but you should not have to worry about maintaining compliance with laws as you grow your company. We provide simple, yet comprehensive solutions so that you concentrate on growth and developing your company’s innovation and strategic plan. We take care of your business’s compliance.

Through a variety of services, we support your goals. Here’s a look at some of our services:

• Hallmark registration
• ESI certification
• GMP certification
• Virtual CFO services

When it comes to your company’s compliance needs, think of LegalRaasta first! Our innovative solutions help you save time, money, and resources, while also preparing you for the future.