Gold is more than just a precious metal in India—it’s an emotion, an investment, a cultural tradition, and a trusted form of financial security. Given the rising price of gold and increasing demand, concerns about the purity and authenticity of gold jewellery have become more prominent than ever.
To safeguard consumers and ensure fair practices, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) introduced a revolutionary upgrade in India’s hallmarking system: the HUID — Hallmark Unique Identification Number. But what exactly is this number? Why has it become mandatory? And how does it affect consumers and jewellers?
This article breaks down everything you need to know about HUID, why it matters, and how it is transforming India’s gold market.

What is HUID?

HUID, or Hallmark Unique Identification Number, is a six-character alphanumeric code uniquely assigned to each piece of hallmarked gold jewellery or artefact. It is laser engraved on the item along with the BIS logo and purity/fineness mark.

Unlike the traditional hallmarking system, which only showed standard symbols, the HUID-based system provides individual identification for each gold item, ensuring traceability, transparency, and verification.

 Format of HUID Hallmarking

Each hallmarked gold item under the HUID system will have three components:

• BIS Logo – Proof that the item is certified by the Bureau of Indian Standards.
• Purity Mark – Shows the karat value and fineness (e.g., 22K916, 18K750).
• HUID Number – A unique 6-digit alphanumeric ID (e.g., A1B2C3), specific to that jewellery item.

Objectives of Introducing HUID

The Government of India and BIS launched the HUID system with the following objectives:

• Prevent counterfeiting and fraud in gold jewellery.
• Enhance transparency in gold trade.
• Empower consumers to verify purity independently.
• Digitize hallmarking records for easy monitoring.
• Trace each item from source to consumer.

Implementation Timeline

• June 23, 2021: Mandatory hallmarking began in a phased manner.
• April 2022: Mandatory HUID-based hallmarking in 256 districts.
• Mid-2023 onwards: Gradual expansion to cover over 350+ districts across India.

As of now, only gold jewellery with a valid HUID is permitted for sale by BIS-registered jewellers in notified districts.

How HUID Works: Step-by-Step Process

Here’s how HUID is generated and assigned to jewellery:

Step 1: Jeweller submits the item: BIS-registered jeweller submits the gold jewellery to a BIS-approved Assaying and Hallmarking Centre (AHC).

Step 2: Purity Testing: The item is tested for purity and composition by the hallmarking centre using standardized scientific methods.

Step 3: Laser Engraving: Once the item passes the purity test, it is laser engraved with:

• BIS Logo
• Purity Mark (e.g., 22K916)
• HUID Code (e.g., X2Y9P1)

Step 4: Digital Registration: The HUID is then recorded in BIS’s central database along with:

• Details of the jewellery
• Jeweller’s identity
• Assaying centre’s identity
• Date of hallmarking

Step 5: HUID Enabled Sale: The jewellery is now eligible for sale and can be verified by consumers through the BIS CARE app or BIS website.

How to Verify HUID as a Consumer

The hallmarking system now empowers buyers. Verifying a HUID is easy and takes less than a minute.

1. Download BIS CARE App: Available for Android and iOS platforms.
2. Open the App and Choose ‘Verify HUID’
3. Enter or Scan the HUID Number: The HUID is laser-marked on the jewellery.
4. View Product Details: Purity (Karat), Jeweller’s name, Assaying centre, Hallmarking date
   This ensures the gold jewellery you are buying is authentic, certified, and not tampered with.
   

 How HUID Benefits Consumers

1. Purity Assurance: With each item uniquely tested and verified, buyers can be confident of what they’re paying for.
2. Fraud Protection: HUID makes it almost impossible for jewellers to forge hallmarks or sell substandard gold.
3. Transparency: All key details — purity, source, date — are available to the consumer digitally.
4. Trust and Confidence: Consumers can now trust BIS certification with real-time verification — no more guesswork.

KEY FEATURES Of What is HUID and Why It Matters in Gold Hallmarking

How HUID Impacts Jewellers

Responsibilities:

• Must get registered with BIS.
• Can sell only BIS-hallmarked jewellery with valid HUID.
• Must submit each jewellery item for hallmarking individually.

Opportunities:

• Enhanced credibility and consumer trust.
• Level playing field – discourages unscrupulous competitors.
• Digital tracking boosts accountability and inventory management.

Legal Framework for HUID

The HUID system operates under the BIS Act, 2016 and supporting regulations:

• Only BIS-registered jewellers are permitted to sell gold jewellery with HUID.
• Any sale of un-hallmarked gold (or hallmark without HUID) is illegal in notified districts.
• Violations may attract penalties, cancellation of license, or legal action.

Challenges in Implementation

While HUID is a robust system, its transition has seen some resistance from parts of the industry.

Common Challenges:

• Increased turnaround time due to individual item testing.
• Higher operational costs for hallmarking and logistics.
• Limited hallmarking centres in smaller towns and rural areas.
• Stock management issues for old hallmarked items without HUID.

BIS Measures:

• Expanding hallmarking centre network.
• Phased enforcement to allow industry adjustment.
• Providing training and helplines for small jewellers.

Despite short-term challenges, most stakeholders agree that HUID strengthens consumer confidence and market discipline in the long term.

 How HUID Aligns India with Global Standards

With the introduction of HUID, India has taken a major step toward internationally recognized standards in gold hallmarking.

• HUID introduces item-level traceability, much like serial numbers in luxury watches or electronics.
• It aligns India’s hallmarking practice with global practices, enhancing export credibility.
• The system also supports digitization and e-commerce of gold jewellery, where verification is crucial.

The Future of HUID and Hallmarking

The BIS and Government of India are planning further expansion and enhancements:

• Mandatory hallmarking of silver jewellery.
• Integration of billing systems and GST with hallmarking data.
• Introduction of AI-based fraud detection in hallmarking audits.
• Blockchain-based gold traceability from mines to retail.

As India moves toward a fully digital compliance ecosystem, HUID serves as a gold standard in consumer safety.

Conclusion

The Hallmark Unique Identification Number (HUID) is more than just a 6-character code — it’s a symbol of trust, purity, and progress in India’s gold market.

By offering unique identification, transparency, and traceability, HUID has redefined the gold-buying experience for millions of Indians. It empowers consumers, brings discipline to the industry, and aligns India’s jewellery trade with global best practices.

Whether you’re a buyer looking for assurance or a seller aiming to earn credibility, HUID matters — because trust, like gold, is too precious to compromise.