What Should I Check in the Original Bill of Gold Jewellery?

Keeping the original bill after buying gold jewellery isn’t just good housekeeping — it’s the single most important document for resale value, warranty, repairs, GST claims, and consumer protection. Below is a detailed, practical guide that tells you exactly what to look for on the bill, why each item matters, how to verify hallmarks, red flags to watch for, and a compact printable checklist you can take to the store.

Why The Original Bill Matters?

The original bill is your proof of purchase, proof of purity (when linked to a hallmark/HUID), and the record you’ll need if you want repair, replacement, buy-back, or to lodge a complaint. In India, hallmarking rules require certain information to be on the invoice for hallmarked precious-metal articles — so a correct bill protects you as a buyer.[1]

Quick Overview: Official Hallmarking & Consumer Verification

A hallmark is a certified mark that indicates the purity of precious-metal articles. The BIS “hallmarking” regime requires bills/invoices for hallmarked items to include specific data on weight, purity, and hallmarking details; consumers can verify hallmark HUIDs using BIS tools/apps if needed.[2]

The Invoice Header: Identity & Basic Metadata You Must See

Make sure the bill clearly shows:

• Shop / jeweller name, full address, and contact number.

• GSTIN (if the seller is GST-registered) — the absence of GSTIN where expected is a red flag.

• Invoice / bill number and date (this is needed for returns, warranties, and consumer complaints).

• Customer name & contact (useful for repair/exchange records).

Sample vendor/header fields are part of standard jewellery invoice templates used across India.[3]

Itemised Article Details — The Core Checklist

The most important section of the bill: item-wise entries. For every article (ring, chain, bangle, etc.) the invoice should list:

• Article description — clear text (e.g., “22K gold mangalsutra pendant with 2 cz”) so there’s no ambiguity.

• Gross weight & net weight (grams) — gross = total weight; net = weight of the precious metal (gold) after removing detachable stones/threads if applicable. Always confirm net weight is shown.

• Purity (carat and/or fineness) — e.g., 22K / 916, 18K / 750, 14K / 585. Purity must match the physical hallmark.

• Hallmark details & HUID — the bill should show the hallmark symbol and the HUID (Hallmark Unique Identification) printed on the ornament. You should be able to verify the same HUID via BIS tools.

• Making charges / wastage — shown separately or explicitly described (how they computed it).

• Hallmarking charges (if charged separately) — itemised.

• Stones / other materials — list of precious/semi-precious stones and whether their weight is included in net/gross columns.

• Line-item totals and unit price of gold used to compute the metal value (if included).

Why each matters: net weight + purity → determines metal value; HUID + hallmark → proves the stated purity can be independently verified; making/hallmark charges → affect GST and total payable.

Price & Tax Breakup (Gst Specifics You Should Check)

GST treatment on gold/jewellery can be confusing — make sure your bill separates or clearly shows:

• Value of gold (metal component) and how it was computed (rate × net weight).

• Making charges / service component — may attract a different GST treatment depending on how billed.

• GST amount(s) and applicable rate(s) shown separately (so you know how much tax was paid).

As of recent guidance, gold as a commodity generally attracts GST at ~3% on the value of gold; making charges billed as a service may attract GST (industry notes variously show a 5% approach on service portions or combined structures) — different invoice structures can result in slightly different GST computations, so the split on the bill matters. Always ask the seller to explain the tax breakup if it’s not clear.

Payment & Policy Fields (Must-Have Administrative Items)

Check that the bill records:

• Payment mode (cash/card/UPI/NEFT) and transaction reference for electronic payments.

• Return / exchange / warranty / buy-back terms — any promises given verbally should be written on the bill or on a shop policy document referenced by invoice.

• Signature & stamp of the authorized person at the shop (to make the invoice official).

How To Verify The Hallmark / Huid Before You Leave The Store

• Locate the hallmark & HUID physically on the piece (usually near the clasp/inner band/back). The bill should reproduce that HUID.

• Use BIS verification — BIS provides tools (BIS Care app / portal) to verify HUIDs and hallmark authenticity; many news items and BIS pages advise consumers to verify HUIDs before purchase. Bureau of Indian Standards.

• Cross-check net weight on the bill against the piece (ask the jeweller to show the weighed net weight on the in-store scale if you’re uncertain).

• If anything looks off, don’t leave the shop until the jeweller explains or corrects the bill.

Red Flags On A Bill (Stop And Verify If You See Any Of These)

• Hallmark printed but no HUID or HUID on bill does not match the piece.

• No GSTIN shown when you know the seller should be registered.

• Only gross weight is listed (no net weight).

• Making charges are vague or not broken out (hard to reconcile tax and buy-back value).

• Unrealistic discounts that don’t match a plausible metal price — sometimes used to obfuscate true metal value.

• Any mention of “custom hallmark” or unusual hallmark symbols that cannot be traced to BIS-recognized A&H centres. Recent enforcement actions found fake/unrecognized hallmarking operations stamping ornaments without valid HUIDs — another reason to check HUIDs.

What To Do After Purchase (Simple, Practical Steps)

• Keep the original bill safe — physical copy in a secure place (bank locker/safe) and a scanned copy in cloud storage. The original bill is needed for buy-back/warranty/complaints.

• Photograph the ornament (front, back, close-up of hallmark/HUID) and attach it to your scanned bill. This makes later verification or resale easier.

• If you suspect wrongdoing later (e.g., hallmark mismatch), use BIS consumer complaint channels or visit a BIS-recognized A&H centre for a formal check.

Annotated Sample Jewellery Bill (Compact Template You Can Copy)

Below is a short, annotated line-item layout you can ask the jeweller to follow or match in your copy of the bill:

Printable Quick-Check Checklist (6 Items You Can Carry)

• Does the bill show HUID and does it match the piece? ✔️

• Is net weight in grams and purity (carat) shown for each item? ✔️

• Are making charges & hallmarking charges itemised? ✔️

• Is the GSTIN present and is GST split shown (metal vs service)? ✔️

• Is payment mode recorded and is there a transaction reference (for cards/UPI)? ✔️

• Is the invoice signed & stamped by the seller? ✔️

Common FAQs

Q: If seller says ‘we don’t show net weight’, is that legal?

A: BIS guidance and consumer-protection best-practice call for net weight and purity being recorded for hallmarked articles; insist on net weight to determine the metal value.

Q: Can I verify HUID instantly?

A: Yes — BIS provides the BIS Care app and verification features to check HUIDs. Ask the seller to show the HUID and run the verification before you leave.

Q: What if the hallmark center is fake?

A: If you suspect fake hallmarking (e.g., HUID missing or mismatched), file a complaint with BIS and the police. BIS enforcement actions in recent years have shown illegal hallmarking centres are actively pursued.

Closing: One Short Piece Of Advice

Before you step out of the shop: match the HUID on the ornament with the HUID on the bill, check net weight and purity, and ensure the GST & making charges are clearly written. Keep the original bill and a scanned copy — it’s the simplest way to protect your purchase and your money.