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Gold Hallmarking Fee Hike Shocks Jewellery Stocks
16 Sep
Summary
- Gold hallmarking fees increase by 67% from Rs 45 to Rs 75.
- A minimum Rs 200 consignment charge now applies to hallmarking.
- Jewellery stocks dropped up to 8% following the announcement.
Major Indian jewellery stocks saw a sharp decline in early trading, with some falling as much as 8%. This significant market reaction occurred after the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) announced an increase in gold hallmarking fees. The new regulations, effective September 14, 2026, represent a 67% hike in charges.
The cost to hallmark a gold article has risen from Rs 45 to Rs 75. Critically, a new minimum consignment charge of Rs 200 has been introduced. This means customers submitting one or two items will pay the flat Rs 200 fee, rather than the lower per-article calculation.
This increase in hallmarking fees could lead to higher operating costs for jewellery retailers, especially those handling smaller consignments. The extent of the impact on margins will depend on whether retailers absorb these costs or pass them on to consumers, potentially affecting buyer sentiment. The market's immediate reaction reflects these cost and demand concerns.
