Packaged Commodities Rules, 2011
Every individual, firm, Hindu undivided family, society, company or corporation that pre-packs or imports any commodity for sale, distribution or delivery applies to the Director or the Controller for registration of its name and complete address (rule 27(1)).
| Service | Fee | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Application for registration of a manufacturer, packer or importer | ₹500 | Rule 27(1) |
| Any alteration in the registration certificate | ₹100 | Rule 27(3) |
| Fresh tests of sample packages requested by the manufacturer or packer after an adverse report | ₹2,500 | Rule 19(4) |
| Inspection by the public of the register of manufacturers and packers | No fee | Rule 29(2) |
The application is to be made within ninety days from the date on which pre-packing or import commences (rule 27(1)(ii)). The Third Amendment Rules, 2026 (G.S.R. 418(E) dated 29 May 2026) added rule 27(5): registration certificates remain valid until cancelled, and a proviso to rule 27(3) requiring the company or firm to update its details annually on the online portal.
Work Out Your Legal Metrology Fee
Pick the service. The fee is the one printed in the Central rules named against it.
Central rule fees only. Verification and stamping by State officers and the licence or registration of manufacturers, dealers and repairers follow each State's Enforcement Rules and are not worked out here.
General Rules, 2011: Scale of Fee
Rule 25 of the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011 says the fees for the services in column (2) of the Twelfth Schedule are collected at the rate in column (3).
| Item | Service | Fee as printed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Approval of model | At the rates specified in the Legal Metrology (Approval of Model) Rules, 2011, subject to the condition that the total fee so charged is not more than Rs. 10,000 |
| 2 | Verification and stamping of any type of weights and measures | Weights and measures specified in the Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011, at total fee so charged is not more than Rs. 5,000 |
| 3 | Issue of a copy of any document not being a document of a confidential nature | Rs. 10 for every 100 words or part thereof |
| 4 | Registration or renewal of registration of any person as an importer | ₹500 |
| 5 | Application fee for preferring any appeal under the Act to the Director or Controller | ₹100 |
| 6 | Application fee for preferring any appeal under the Act to the Central or State Government | ₹200 |
Registration as an importer of weights or measures remains effective for five years and may be renewed for a like period on payment of the prescribed fee (rule 15(5) and (6)). The application goes to the Director through the Controller of the State, with the Twelfth Schedule fee, at least one month before the proposed import (rule 15(1) and (4)).
General Rules, 2011: Non-standard Weights or Measures for Export
| Service | Fee | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Permission from the Central Government to manufacture a non-standard weight or measure exclusively for export | ₹500 | Rule 16(3) |
| Renewal of that permission (valid for one year, renewed for a like period) | A like fee | Rule 16(5) |
| Sample checking of a non-standard weight or measure similar to a standard one | Equal to the fee leviable for verification and stamping of that standard weight or measure | Rule 20(3)(i) |
| Sample checking of a non-standard weight or measure not similar to any standard one | Amount specified by the Central Government, commensurate with the labour involved | Rule 20(3)(ii) |
Approval of Models Rules, 2011: Testing Fee
Rule 19 was substituted by the Legal Metrology (Approval of Models) (Amendment) Rules, 2019 (G.S.R. 823(E) dated 6 November 2019). The fee is deposited with the application under rule 5, by demand draft in favour of the laboratory or through online payment, towards testing charges of the laboratory.
| Model | Testing fee | Rule |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical type model of weights or measures or weighing and measuring instruments | ₹10,000 | Rule 19(1)(i) |
| Digital or electronic type model of weights or measures or weighing and measuring instruments | ₹25,000 | Rule 19(1)(ii) |
| Testing of the substitute material | Half of the testing fee in rule 19(1) | Rule 19(2) |
Verification Fee at a Government Approved Test Centre
The Fifth Schedule was inserted by the Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Centre) Amendment Rules, 2025 (G.S.R. 779(E) dated 23 October 2025). Serial numbers 19 to 23 were added by the Amendment Rules, 2026 (G.S.R. 346(E) dated 8 May 2026). Rule 7(1) makes this the fee payable to a test centre for verification or re-verification.
For items not in the Fifth Schedule, the Legal Metrology (Enforcement) Rules of the State apply where a Government Approved Test Centre verifies the instrument (proviso to rule 7(1)).
| Sl. No. | Item | Verification fee |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Water meter | Rs. 250 for domestic water meter; Rs. 1,000 for commercial water meters; Rs. 2,500 for industrial water meters |
| 2 | Sphygmomanometer | Rs. 100 per sphygmomanometer |
| 3 | Clinical thermometer | Rs. 50 per clinical thermometer |
| 4 | Automatic rail weighbridges | As per State Government fees |
| 5 | Tape measures | Class I: Rs. 2 per meter or part thereof; Class II: Rs. 1 per meter or part thereof; Class III: Rs. 0.50 per meter or part thereof |
| 6 | Non-automatic weighing instruments of Accuracy Class III (upto 150 kg) | Rs. 2,000 upto 10 kg; Rs. 3,000 above 10 kg and upto 150 kg |
| 7 | Non-automatic weighing instruments of Accuracy Class IIII | Rs. 2,000 upto 10 kg; Rs. 3,000 above 10 kg and upto 150 kg |
| 8 | Load cell | Rs. 2,000 upto 5 kN; Rs. 5,000 above 5 kN and upto 100 kN |
| 9 | Beam scale | Rs. 500 upto 5 kg; Rs. 1,000 above 5 kg |
| 10 | Counter machine | Rs. 500 upto 5 kg; Rs. 1,000 above 5 kg |
| 11 | Weights, E1 class | 1 mg to 200 g (22 pieces including rider): Rs. 15,000. Assorted weights, per weight: Rs. 1,000 upto 10 kg; Rs. 2,000 above 10 kg upto 50 kg |
| 11 | Weights, E2, F1 and F2 class | E2: one half of the E1 fee. F1: one fourth of the E1 fee. F2: one eighth of the E1 fee |
| 11 | Bullion weights and carat weights | Bullion 1 g to 500 g: Rs. 25 per weight; above 500 g to 10 kg: Rs. 50 per weight. Carat weights: Rs. 50 per weight |
| 11 | Cylindrical knob type weight | 1 g to 500 g: Rs. 10 per weight; above 500 g to 10 kg: Rs. 25 per weight |
| 11 | Sheet metal weight (other than bullion) | 1 mg to 500 mg: Rs. 25 per weight |
| 11 | Iron hexagonal, knob type weights and parallelepiped weight | 1 g to 500 g: Rs. 10 per weight; above 500 g to 10 kg: Rs. 25 per weight; above 10 kg to 50 kg: Rs. 50 per weight |
| 11 | Higher denomination weights | Above 50 kg to 1,000 kg: Rs. 1,000; above 1,000 kg to 5,000 kg: Rs. 1,500 |
| 12 | Gas meters | Domestic: Rs. 500; commercial: Rs. 2,000; industrial: Rs. 5,000 |
| 13 | Energy meters | Domestic: Rs. 1,000; commercial: Rs. 3,000; industrial: Rs. 5,000 |
| 14 | Moisture meters | ₹2,500 |
| 15 | Speed meters for vehicles | ₹15,000 |
| 16 | Breath analysers | ₹2,500 |
| 17 | Multi-dimensional measuring instruments | ₹3,600 |
| 18 | Flow meters | Upto 100 mm: Rs. 5,000; above 100 mm: Rs. 5,000 plus Rs. 1,000 for every 25 mm |
| 19 | Petrol / diesel dispenser | ₹5,000 each nozzle |
| 20 | CNG dispenser | ₹10,000 each nozzle |
| 21 | LPG dispenser | ₹10,000 each nozzle |
| 22 | LNG dispenser | ₹10,000 each nozzle |
| 23 | Hydrogen dispenser | ₹10,000 each nozzle |
Application fee for approval as a Government Approved Test Centre: ₹2 lakh per weight or measure (rule 18(1) as substituted in 2025). Renewal of recognition: ₹10,000 for a period of one year in respect of each equipment (rule 18(3) as substituted by G.S.R. 489(E) dated 17 June 2026).
Late Fee and Penalty
Whoever sells, distributes, delivers or otherwise transfers or uses an unverified weight or measure is punishable with a fine of ₹2,000 to ₹10,000, and for a second or subsequent offence with imprisonment up to one year and also fine. LM Act 2009 · s.33
As printed in the Act: fine up to ₹25,000, up to ₹50,000 for the second offence, and ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh or imprisonment up to one year or both after that. The Jan Vishwas Act, 2026 substitutes an improvement notice first, then a penalty up to ₹5 lakh, then a fine of ₹25 lakh to ₹50 lakh, from a date to be notified. LM Act 2009 · s.36(1)
As printed: fine up to ₹25,000, and for a second or subsequent offence imprisonment up to six months, or fine, or both. The Jan Vishwas Act, 2026 substitutes an improvement notice, then a penalty up to ₹25,000, then a fine of ₹2 lakh to ₹5 lakh, from a date to be notified. LM Act 2009 · s.38
Most offences under the Act, including those under sections 33, 36 and 38, may be compounded before or after prosecution on payment of the prescribed sum, which cannot exceed the maximum fine for the offence. LM Act 2009 · s.48
What You Pay in Common Cases
Spice packer registers, then changes its name and its address
Electronic weighing scale model with substitute material
Fuel station with four petrol or diesel nozzles and two CNG nozzles
Trader registers as an importer of weighing instruments
How to Apply and Pay
- 1Check if you need itAnyone who pre-packs or imports any commodity for sale, distribution or delivery registers under rule 27 of the Packaged Commodities Rules.
- 2Apply with ₹500To the Director or the Controller, within ninety days from the date pre-packing or import commences (rule 27(1)).
- 3Give the particularsName, complete address of the premises, the commodities, and the director responsible for violations (rule 27(2)).
- 4RegistrationAn incomplete application is returned within seven working days; a complete one is registered and a certificate issued (rule 27(4)).
- 5Update every yearUpdate the details annually on the online portal; any alteration in the certificate costs ₹100 (rule 27(3)).
Documents to file with it
- Packaged commodities: name of the applicant (rule 27(2)(a))
- Packaged commodities: complete address of the premises where pre-packing or import is done (rule 27(2)(b))
- Packaged commodities: name of the commodity or commodities pre-packed or imported (rule 27(2)(c))
- Packaged commodities: name of the director of the company responsible for violations under the Act and rules (rule 27(2)(d), from 29 May 2026)
- Importer of weights or measures: application in the form in the Tenth Schedule, through the Controller of the State, with the Twelfth Schedule fee (General Rules, rule 15(1) and (4))
How to Use This Chart
- A manufacturer, packer or importer of packaged commodities registers once under rule 27 with ₹500. The certificate now stays valid until cancelled.
- An importer of weighing or measuring instruments needs a separate registration under rule 15 of the General Rules, valid for five years.
- Verification and stamping fees charged by State legal metrology officers come from each State's Enforcement Rules, not from this chart.
- State Legal Metrology (Enforcement) Rules fix the fees for manufacturer, dealer and repairer licences and for verification and stamping by State officers. They differ by State and are not shown.
- The Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011 are read from the text as notified in 2011. Later amendments to those Rules, including any change to the Twelfth Schedule, are not in the saved texts and are not reflected.
- Item 2 of the Twelfth Schedule is printed in the Gazette as an incomplete sentence. It is reproduced as printed.
- The Packaged Commodities Rules are read from the Department of Consumer Affairs compilation with amendments up to G.S.R. 226(E) dated 28 March 2022, with the later amendment rules on file (2022 to 29 May 2026) checked for fee changes. None of them changes a fee.
- Scanned files on record with no text layer (National Standards Rules, Numeration Rules, the 2013 Government Approved Test Centre Rules and their 2016 amendment) could not be read and are not used.
- The saved text of the Legal Metrology Act, 2009 is the Act as enacted. The Jan Vishwas Acts of 2023 and 2026 amend its penalty sections from dates to be notified; their commencement notifications are not in the saved texts. Only sections 33, 36(1), 38 and 48 are summarised, with the 2026 change noted where it applies.
- The Jan Vishwas Act, 2026 also renames the licence of manufacturers, repairers and dealers under section 23 as a registration certificate. Fees for it are in the State Enforcement Rules and are not shown.
Official documents behind this page
- Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Rules, 2011, Department of Consumer Affairs compilation with all amendmentsRule 19(4) (fee of two thousand five hundred rupees for fresh tests), rule 27(1) (fee of rupees five hundred), rule 27(3) (fee of rupees one hundred), rule 29(2) (register open to inspection without fee).
- Legal Metrology (Packaged Commodities) Third Amendment Rules, 2026, G.S.R. 418(E)Rule 3: clause (d) in rule 27(2), proviso to rule 27(3), new rule 27(5) (registration certificates valid until cancelled).
- Legal Metrology (General) Rules, 2011Rule 15 (registration of importer, five years, renewal), rule 16(3) and (5) (fee of rupees five hundred for export permission, renewal on like fee), rule 20(3) (checking fee), rule 25 and the Twelfth Schedule (scale of fee, items 1 to 6).
- Legal Metrology (Approval of Models) (Amendment) Rules, 2019, G.S.R. 823(E)Rule 3: rule 19 of the 2011 Rules substituted (testing fee of rupees ten thousand and rupees twenty-five thousand, half fee for substitute material).
- Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Centre) Amendment Rules, 2025, G.S.R. 779(E)Rule 7(1) substituted, rule 18 substituted (fee of rupees two lakh per weight or measure), Fifth Schedule inserted (Sl. No. 1 to 18).
- Legal Metrology (Government Approved Test Centre) Amendment Rules, 2026 and Second Amendment Rules, 2026Fifth Schedule Sl. No. 19 to 23 inserted (dispensers); rule 18(3) substituted by G.S.R. 489(E) (renewal fee of rupees ten thousand).
- Legal Metrology Act, 2009 (1 of 2010)Section 19 (registration of importer), section 22 (approval of model), section 24 (verification and stamping), section 33 (unverified weight or measure), section 36 (non-standard packages), section 38 (importer not registered), section 48 (compounding).
- Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2026 (8 of 2026)Schedule, entry 66: improvement notice (sections 2(ea) and 15(6), (7)), new penalties in sections 25 to 41 and 45 to 47 including 36(1) and 38, section 48 substituted.
Disclaimer: This chart reproduces fees and rates from the official documents listed above, as read on 2 October 2026. It is general information, not professional advice for your case. Fees, rates and slabs are changed by notification, and the amount the authority’s portal or challan asks for on the day you pay is the one that applies. The calculator only adds up the figures on this page; it does not know your facts or any later change. TaxClue is not responsible for a decision taken on this page alone. Check the current notification on the official website before you pay or file.