Burkina Faso [SONASP single export window (ASM gold)] → Switzerland → United Arab Emirates · Reconcile assays and pay the balance
Public law and official guidance, published as research. Not legal, tax or financial advice.
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The route, leg by leg
Each step, tax and control as the research records it, with its legal basis and how sure the research is.
Burkina Faso (Doré bar - unstamped → Doré bar - stamped/exporter-sealed) ⟶ Switzerland (Doré bar - stamped/exporter-sealed) ⟶ United Arab Emirates (Doré bar - stamped/exporter-sealed)
Not researched: Switzerland → United Arab Emirates
Leg 1: Burkina Faso
Where the goods start
Doré bar - unstamped → Doré bar - stamped/exporter-sealed
- 1
SONASP exports ASM gold itself: comptoirs may only sell to it; special export authorisations (ASE) for gold are issued by the Secrétariat permanent du guichet unique du commerce et de l'investissement
- Who
- SONASP (state gold buyer and single ASM export window)
- Needs
- SONASP purchase record / receipt at a buying window
- Issues
- Special export authorisation (ASE)
Official guidance[inferred] no text read names SONASP as sole exporter; it follows from sales being restricted to comptoirs or the public buyer and comptoirs having no export right; [not-read] legal basis of the ASE (273 issued in 2023 per the BNAF report) not found.
Loi 016-2024/ALT; Décret 2025-0348, Code Arts 241, 251, 254; Décret Arts 29, 31
- 2
Obtain the Minister of Finance's prior authorisation to export gold
- Who
- SONASP (state gold buyer and single ASM export window)
- Issues
- Minister of Finance prior authorisation to export gold (UEMOA)
Primary law[inferred] SONASP is not in the Art. 20 exemptions (Treasury, BCEAO, low-gold articles, travellers' objects up to 500 g).
Règlement 06/2024/CM/UEMOA, Art. 20; Annex X
- 3
Domicile the export with an authorised intermediary (exports above FCFA 20 million) and sign the engagement de change
- Who
- SONASP (state gold buyer and single ASM export window)
- Needs
- Commercial invoice
- Issues
- Export domiciliation file at an authorised intermediary bank; Engagement de change (exports)
Primary lawInstruction 03/07/2025/RFE, Arts 3-5
- 4
Have BUMIGEB control the weight and composition of the ingots; each ingot is referenced and marked with the official Burkina Faso hallmark and a control certificate issued on the spot; samples of products for export are lodged with the national laboratory
- Who
- SONASP (state gold buyer and single ASM export window)
- Issues
- BUMIGEB control certificate for ASM or semi-mechanised gold ingots (with official hallmark)
Primary law[inferred] Art. 19 names ANEEMAS, SONASP's predecessor, as requester; the BNAF report records 391 ASM ingots (50,571 g fine) controlled by BUMIGEB in 2023.
Décret 2018-0970; Loi 016-2024/ALT, Décret Arts 15, 19-22; Code Art. 45
- 5
Prepare commercial invoice and packing list; have the bank stamp the attestation d'exportation; seal the consignment
- Who
- SONASP (state gold buyer and single ASM export window)
- Issues
- Commercial invoice; Packing list; Attestation d'exportation de biens
- Form
- Doré bar - unstamped → Doré bar - stamped/exporter-sealed
Primary lawAttestation from Instruction 03/07/2025 Art. 6; [unconfirmed] invoice and packing-list content for SONASP exports is practice.
Instruction 03/07/2025/RFE, Art. 6
- 6
Lodge the detailed customs export declaration at the export office on arrival of the goods and present the gold with the attestation d'exportation; customs completes the attestation and sends copies to the bank, BCEAO and the external-finance department within 8 days
- Who
- SONASP (state gold buyer and single ASM export window)
- Needs
- Minister of Finance prior authorisation to export gold (UEMOA); Export domiciliation file at an authorised intermediary bank; Engagement de change (exports); Attestation d'exportation de biens; BUMIGEB control certificate for ASM or semi-mechanised gold ingots (with official hallmark); Commercial invoice; Packing list
- Issues
- Customs export declaration (Burkina Faso)
Primary law[unconfirmed] gold-specific customs annexes and the declaration form were not found.
Code des douanes 2025; Règlement 06/2024/CM/UEMOA, Code Arts 101, 122-125; Règlement Annex II Arts 21-23
- 7
Obtain a certificate of origin if the buyer requires it
- Who
- SONASP (state gold buyer and single ASM export window)
- Issues
- Certificate of origin (Burkina Faso)
UnverifiedIssuer and requirement not found.
- 8
Accept the consignment as valuable cargo and issue the air waybill
- Who
- Valuables carrier / airline
- Needs
- Customs export declaration (Burkina Faso); Packing list
- Issues
- Air waybill
Primary law[unconfirmed] carrier practice (valuable cargo, air waybill) is generic.
Code des douanes 2025, Arts 103-104
Taxes and fees
Fixed fees and annual flat royalty for artisanal exploitation authorisations (gold)
Grant FCFA 1,000,000; renewal FCFA 1,500,000; annual flat royalty FCFA 2,000,000
Primary lawAmount not confirmedDécret 2025-0331, Art. 12
Royalty on artisanal gold sold to comptoirs
FCFA 100 per gram Gold of artisanal production
Primary lawAmount not confirmedDécret 2025-0331, Art. 19
Proportional royalty on gold, 2017 scale
3% below USD 1,000/oz; 4% USD 1,000-1,300; 5% above USD 1,300 ("London Metal Exchange (LME)" price); export through the State structure taxed at FCFA 200/g Gold
Primary lawAmount not confirmedDécret 2017-0023, Art. 14
Proportional royalty on gold, 2023 bands
3% below USD 1,000/oz; 4% 1,000-1,300; 5% 1,300-1,500; 6% 1,500-1,700; 6.5% 1,700-2,000; 7% above 2,000 Industrial gold
SecondaryAmount not confirmedDécret n°2023-1454 of 27 Oct 2023 (amending Décret 2017-0023)
Proportional royalty on gold (redevance proportionnelle), 2025 bands
3% below USD 1,000/oz; 4% 1,000-<1,300; 5% 1,300-<1,500; 6% 1,500-<1,700; 6.5% 1,700-<2,000; 7% 2,000-<3,000; from USD 3,000/oz add 1% for each USD 500 Gold from industrial and semi-mechanised mines and residue treatment
Primary lawAmount not confirmedDécret 2025-0331; Loi 016-2024/ALT, Décret Arts 4, 18-21; Code Arts 156, 159
Contribution to the Fonds minier de développement
1% of monthly turnover excluding tax
Primary lawAmount not confirmedLoi 016-2024/ALT, Arts 28-29
Taxe superficiaire
Large mine FCFA 10,000,000/km²/yr (years 1-5), 15,000,000 (6-10), 20,000,000 (11+); small mine 4,000,000/7,000,000/10,000,000; semi-mechanised 1,500,000 (year 1), 3,000,000 after; AEA 1,500,000
Primary lawAmount not confirmedDécret 2025-0331; Loi 016-2024/ALT, Décret Arts 7, 8, 16, 21; Code Art. 158
Controls
UMOA AML thresholds (Décision n°021/CM/UMOA of 21 Dec 2023): traders in goods become designated non-financial businesses when they make or receive cash payments of FCFA 5,000,000 or more (Art. 2); they identify occasional customers and beneficial owners above FCFA 9,000,000 (Art. 5(a)); cash or be…
FCFA 5m (cash, DNFBP status); 9m (identification); 15m (cash reporting)
Primary lawAmount not confirmedDécision n°021/CM/UMOA du 21 décembre 2023, Arts 2, 4, 5, 8
Resident travellers to non-UEMOA states declare foreign-currency cash above FCFA 3 million equivalent (Art. 4) and may take FCFA notes up to FCFA 500,000 (Art. 6); non-residents declare in writing, on entry and exit, foreign-currency cash above FCFA 500,000 (Art. 7) and may take out more only agains…
FCFA 3,000,000 (residents, foreign cash out of UEMOA); FCFA 500,000 (non-residents)
Primary lawAmount not confirmedBCEAO Instruction 06/07/2025/RFE, Arts 4-8, Annex
[time-limited] Repealed version (Règlement 09/2010 and Instruction 05-07-2011/RFE, replaced 1 Aug 2025): travellers declared foreign currency above FCFA 1 million equivalent.
FCFA 1,000,000
Primary lawAmount not confirmedRèglement 09/2010/CM/UEMOA, Annex II
Mining title holders must use the national site-security structure (ONASSIM) for securing their activities and sites, including transfers of mining products (Décret 2025-0378 Arts 2-4).
Primary lawDécret 2025-0378, Arts 2-4
[time-limited] Repealed version (Règlement 09/2010/CM/UEMOA and Instruction 03-07-2011/RFE; replaced 20 Dec 2024 / 1 Aug 2025): domiciliation of exports above FCFA 10 million; repatriation within one month of the due date.
FCFA 10 million
Primary lawAmount not confirmedRèglement 09/2010/CM/UEMOA, Annex II
State takes 15% free shares in industrial mining companies with priority dividend and may subscribe at least 30% more; 20% free shares in semi-mechanised companies; State and Burkinabè holdings cannot be diluted. Five Endeavour/Lilium assets (Boungou, Wahgnion, three exploration companies) were nat…
Primary lawLoi 016-2024/ALT; Décret 2025-0302, Code Arts 66-67; Décret Arts 9, 12-22
Burkina Faso was removed from FATF increased monitoring on 24 Oct 2025. The AML/CFT law is Loi n°046-2024/ALT of 30 Dec 2024, which replaced Loi 016-2016/AN (neither text held); BNAF supervises dealers in precious metals (Décret 2023-1308, as cited); an agrément can be withdrawn for AML failures …
Standard[time-limited] Repealed regime (Loi 028-2017/AN, repealed by the 2024 Code on 31 Jul 2024): comptoir agréments covered buying, selling and exporting ASM gold (Art. 22); semi-mechanised permits allowed sale abroad (Art. 27); the ASM agency ANEEMAS ran a single window that bought and exported gold, i…
Primary lawLoi 028-2017/AN, Arts 14, 22, 27
Gold refined in Burkina Faso is 24 carats (99.99%) (Décret 2025-0379 Art. 2); refineries stamp each bar with seal, weight, fineness and serial number and have bars controlled by the national geological service before export (Décret 2025-0348 Art. 59).
Primary lawDécret 2025-0379; Décret 2025-0348, 0379 Art. 2; 0348 Art. 59
Armed groups control or tax mining sites in the Sahel and East regions (ATI/SWISSAID; the MEMC/BNAF 2023 report also records armed groups' presence on sites and smuggling towards Lomé and Bamako); buyers should treat Burkinabè ASM gold as from a conflict-affected and high-risk area under the OECD …
SecondaryComptoirs buy gold only in the legal tender of Burkina Faso (FCFA) (Décret 2025-0348 Art. 28).
Primary lawDécret 2025-0348, Art. 28
Industrial permit holders transform or add value to all or part of their output in Burkina Faso; the proportion is fixed by arrêté of the Minister of Mines; refined gold is 24 carats (99.99%); derogation when transformation is not possible; six months to comply.
Primary lawLoi 016-2024/ALT; Décret 2025-0379, Code Art. 70; Décret Arts 2-3, 5, 7
Import and export of gold need the prior authorisation of the Minister of Finance, requested by letter (Annex X). Exempt: Treasury and BCEAO; articles with little gold; travellers' gold objects up to 500 g (Art. 20). Annex X also exempts mining companies holding an exploitation and export licence fr…
Primary lawRèglement 06/2024/CM/UEMOA, Art. 20; Annex X
Possessing, transporting, buying, selling or exporting gold without a valid title, selling ASM gold to anyone but comptoirs or the public buyer, importing or exporting gold without declaration, and pouring, weighing or packing industrial or refined gold without the administration's representative: s…
Primary lawLoi 016-2024/ALT; Loi 003-2025/ALT (Code des douanes), Code minier Arts 265-266, 273; Code des douanes Arts 23, 436, 438, 450
Each ASM or semi-mechanised gold ingot controlled by BUMIGEB is referenced and marked with the official Burkina Faso hallmark; a control certificate is issued (Décret 2018-0970 Arts 20-21). Gold traded must be in coins, ingots or assayed bars (Code Art. 235).
Primary lawDécret 2018-0970; Loi 016-2024/ALT, Décret Arts 20-21; Code Art. 235
A natural person (other than agrément, permit or authorisation holders and established jewellers) may hold up to 500 g of raw gold without declaration, must declare above 500 g, and may not hold more than 2,000 g; savings purchases up to 2,000 g only from ANEEMAS (now SONASP), deposited in a bank a…
500 g without declaration; 2,000 g maximum
Primary lawAmount not confirmedDécret 2018-0969; Loi 016-2024/ALT, Décret Arts 2-4; Code Art. 242
The State has a pre-emption right over gold commercialisation from industrial, semi-mechanised and artisanal production, exercised by the Treasury or the public buyer (Code Art. 237); to build the national gold reserve the State notifies the producer, and producers must sell the requested quantities…
Primary lawLoi 016-2024/ALT; Décret 2025-0414, Code Art. 237; Décret Art. 5
Exports above FCFA 20 million are domiciled with an authorised intermediary; proceeds are repatriated within one month of the due date, itself within 120 days of shipment; the bank repatriates at least 80% via BCEAO correspondent accounts and surrenders the currency; temporary gold exports above 500…
FCFA 20 million (domiciliation); 500 g (temporary gold exports)
Primary lawAmount not confirmedInstruction 03/07/2025/RFE; Règlement 06/2024/CM/UEMOA, Instruction Arts 2, 3, 7; Règlement Arts 5, 11, 21
Persons subject to targeted financial sanctions linked to money laundering or terrorist financing cannot obtain mining titles (Code Art. 41) or agréments for buying, selling, transforming, importing or exporting gold (Arts 239-240).
Primary lawLoi 016-2024/ALT, Arts 41, 239-240
Artisanal and semi-mechanised gold may be sold only to comptoirs or the public buyer (SONASP) (Code Arts 241, 249, 251); comptoirs may only sell to the public buyer and have no export right (Décret 2025-0348 Arts 29, 31); industrial and refined gold sold in Burkina Faso goes to the State or the pub…
Primary lawLoi 016-2024/ALT; Décret 2025-0348, Code Arts 241, 246, 249, 251, 261; Décret Arts 29, 31
Leg 2: Switzerland
On the way
- 9
Onboard Dubai supplier: KYC pack, chain-of-custody statement, mine-of-origin/scrap declaration, DMCC/UAEGD audit reports
- Who
- Swiss refiner (melter/trade-assayer licence, LBMA Good Delivery-listed)
- Needs
- Air waybill
- Issues
- Refiner file on the Dubai supplier: identity, commercial-register extract, proof of lawful acquisition (export permit/declaration, mining licence where applicable), SECO embargo check, origin clarification (kept for the period the EMKV sets: zehn Jahren); KYC questionnaire for mined material, naming each ASM supplier in the chain (team/cooperative, aggregators, local exporter); Independent assurance report on the Dubai refiner's responsible sourcing practices, as an Intermediate Refiner (RGG v9 s.2.3 enhanced due diligence for high-risk recycled gold); Site visit at the mine of origin before transacting (or within 6 months) - enhanced due diligence
Primary law[inferred] Asking for DMCC/UAEGD audit reports and a chain-of-custody statement is the model's application to a Dubai supplier; the LBMA Responsible Gold Guidance and the BAZG melter due-diligence directive do not name them. The EMKV duties are read in the official fedlex consolidation held on the server. In the EMKV record on the server these articles are parsed into the section labelled Anhang (section id in the refs), not into their own sections; the quotes are from that section.
PMCO/EMKV; LBMA Responsible Gold Guidance; BAZG melter due-diligence directive (sections in refs), EMKV (SR 941.311, Stand 1 Jan 2024) Art. 168a Abs. 1 (parsed into section sch-2)
“Der Inhaber einer Schmelzbewilligung darf Schmelzgut nur von Per-”
PMCO/EMKV; LBMA Responsible Gold Guidance; BAZG melter due-diligence directive (sections in refs), EMKV (SR 941.311, Stand 1 Jan 2024) Art. 168a Abs. 1 (lawful acquisition) (parsed into section sch-2)
“die sich über deren rechtmässigen Erwerb aus- weisen können.”
PMCO/EMKV; LBMA Responsible Gold Guidance; BAZG melter due-diligence directive (sections in refs), EMKV (SR 941.311, Stand 1 Jan 2024) Art. 168a Abs. 2 (identity) (parsed into section sch-2)
“Es muss die Identität des Kunden anhand eines beweiskräftigen Do- kumentes wie Pass oder Identitätskarte überprüfen.”
PMCO/EMKV; LBMA Responsible Gold Guidance; BAZG melter due-diligence directive (sections in refs), EMKV (SR 941.311, Stand 1 Jan 2024) Art. 168a Abs. 3 (origin clarification) (parsed into section sch-2)
“Bestehen über die Herkunft der Ware Zweifel oder stammen die An- gebote von Unbekannten, so ist der Inhaber der Schmelzbewilligung verpflichtet, die Herkunft des Schmelzgutes besonders sorgfältig abzu- klären.”
PMCO/EMKV; LBMA Responsible Gold Guidance; BAZG melter due-diligence directive (sections in refs), EMKV (SR 941.311, Stand 1 Jan 2024) Art. 168b Abs. 3 (retention) (parsed into section sch-2)
“Schmelzprodukten müssen während zehn Jahren aufbewahrt werden.”
PMCO/EMKV; LBMA Responsible Gold Guidance; BAZG melter due-diligence directive (sections in refs), EMKG Art. 31a Abs. 1
“Wer gewerbsmässig Schmelzgut im Sinne von Artikel 1 Absatz 3”
PMCO/EMKV; LBMA Responsible Gold Guidance; BAZG melter due-diligence directive (sections in refs), EMKG Art. 31a Abs. 6
“Die Absätze 1-5 gelten nicht für Inhaber einer Schmelzbewilligung nach Artikel 24.”
PMCO/EMKV; LBMA Responsible Gold Guidance; BAZG melter due-diligence directive (sections in refs), BAZG Richtlinie R-247 (1 Jan 2023) annex matrix Teil 1 (KYC)
“Identifikation des Kunden gemäss Art. 168a Abs. 2 EMKV für natürliche Personen, für juristische Personen mittels Han-”
PMCO/EMKV; LBMA Responsible Gold Guidance; BAZG melter due-diligence directive (sections in refs), BAZG Richtlinie R-247 (1 Jan 2023) Ziff. 3.3.2
“Bestehen Zweifel über die Herkunft des Materials oder in Bezug auf die Integrität des Kunden sind Bewilligungsinhaber verpflichtet, den Sachverhalt besonders sorgfältig abzuklären”
PMCO/EMKV; LBMA Responsible Gold Guidance; BAZG melter due-diligence directive (sections in refs), RGG v9 Step 2.1 (origin of mined gold)
“Mined Gold: The location of the mine (LSM and ASM).”
PMCO/EMKV; LBMA Responsible Gold Guidance; BAZG melter due-diligence directive (sections in refs), RGG v9 Step 2.2 (transit red flag)
“Is claimed to originate from a country through which gold from CAHRAs is known, or reasonably suspected, to transit”
PMCO/EMKV; LBMA Responsible Gold Guidance; BAZG melter due-diligence directive (sections in refs), RGG v9 Step 1.2 (records)
“Records are required to be maintained for at least five years, or the minimum timeframe stipulated by local regulatory requirements”
PMCO/EMKV; LBMA Responsible Gold Guidance; BAZG melter due-diligence directive (sections in refs), BAZG Schmelzen und Prüfen (Dec 2023) Ziff. 4.1.6 (restates Art. 168b Abs. 3)
“Die Dokumente über den Geschäftsverkehr mit Schmelzgut und Schmelzprodukten müssen während zehn Jahren aufbewahrt werden.”
- 10
File the Swiss electronic customs import declaration (formal declaration; simplified or oral declarations excluded for melt material imported for sale), tariff heading 7108.1200 (statistical key 911 for mining gold), with actual origin if known; import VAT-exempt for investment gold (cast bars of at least 995 thousandths fineness bearing the fineness and the stamp of a recognised assayer-melter) and for gold in raw form or semi-finished for refining; unmarked doré may only be imported by a trade assayer (BAZG practice)
- Who
- Swiss refiner (melter/trade-assayer licence, LBMA Good Delivery-listed)
- Needs
- Air waybill
- Issues
- Electronic customs import declaration (commercial import; simplified and oral declarations excluded for melt material)
Primary lawThe Federal Council report (citing the customs administration) says actual origin must be declared if known, but for large imports, e.g. from the United Kingdom or the UAE, the dispatch country is sometimes entered; [inferred] Dubai-refined Nigerian gold can therefore appear as UAE origin. [unconfirmed] That no certificate of origin is required is not stated in the sources read. No written precious-metals control record found for a passed border check. The rule that unmarked doré may only be imported by a trade assayer is BAZG practice (BAZG letter on unmarked melt products; BAZG directive on applying the EMKG); it is not in the EMKG import article. The EMKV (precious metals control ordinance) is not held on the server, so its provisions on recognised fineness marks and banking precious metals are not relied on here. Corrected earlier: the declaration was described as "Passar"; the BAZG melt-material sheet names e-dec web. [time-limited] When the BAZG-VG enters into force (date not set), the EMKG import-check paragraphs are repealed and replaced by a new BAZG control article (BAZG-VG annex amending the EMKG).
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), MWSTG (SR 641.20, Stand 1 Jan 2025) Art. 23 Abs. 2 Ziff. 12: gold supplies exempt
“die Umsätze, die mit Gold und Legierungen von Gold der folgenden Form erzielt werden:”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), Art. 23 Abs. 2 Ziff. 12 Bst. b: investment gold, cast bars
“Gold zu Anlagezwecken mit einem Mindestfeingehalt von 995 Tausendsteln, in Form von:”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), Art. 23 Abs. 2 Ziff. 12 Bst. b, first indent
“gegossenen Barren, versehen mit der Angabe des Feingehalts und dem Stempelzeichen eines anerkannten Prüfer-Schmelzers oder”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), Art. 23 Abs. 2 Ziff. 12 Bst. d: raw or semi-finished gold for refining
“Gold in Rohform oder in Form von Halbzeug, das zur Raffination oder Rückgewinnung bestimmt ist”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), MWSTG Art. 53 Abs. 1 Bst. m: import of gold exempt
“Gold und Legierungen von Gold nach Artikel 23 Absatz 2 Ziffer 12.”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), AS 2024 438 (amendment of 16 June 2023, in force 1 Jan 2025): inserts Art. 53 Abs. 1 Bst. m
“Gold und Legierungen von Gold nach Artikel 23 Absatz 2 Ziffer 12.”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), MWSTV Art. 44 (former gold provision) repealed
“Aufgehoben durch Ziff. I der V vom 21. Aug. 2024, mit Wirkung seit 1. Jan. 2025”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), EMKG (SR 941.31) Art. 20 Abs. 3: import checks
“Die diesem Gesetz unterstellten Waren können bei der Einfuhr einer umfassenden oder stichprobenweisen Kontrolle unterworfen werden.”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), BAZG statistics page: tariff heading 7108.1200
“Data relating to gold in raw form (e.g. bars) are recorded under customs tariff heading 7108.1200”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), BAZG statistics page: statistical key 911 (from 1 Jan 2021)
“mining gold *(key: 911)*”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), Federal Council report 14 Nov 2018, s.3.7
“dass der tatsächliche Ursprung der Waren gemeldet werden muss, sofern er bekannt ist”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), Federal Council report s.3.7
“Bei umfangreichen Einfuhren, zum Beispiel aus Grossbritannien oder den Vereinigten Arabischen Emiraten, wird in der Zollerklärung gelegentlich das Versendungsland angegeben.”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), BAZG R-247 (1 Jan 2023) s.3.4.2: unmarked melt products only imported by trade assayers
“Daher sind ausschliesslich Handelsprüfer berechtigt, nicht gekennzeichnete”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), R-247 s.3.4.2 (doré bars as example)
“(bspw. Doré-Barren aus dem Bergbau)”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), BAZG Merkblatt "Annahme von Schmelzgut aus dem Ausland" (Jan 2024): simplified declarations excluded
“Vereinfachte Zollanmeldeverfahren wie Quickzoll oder gar eine mündliche Zollanmeldung sind daher grundsätzlich ausgeschlossen.”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), Merkblatt: e-dec web
“dies selbst mittels e-dec web vornehmen”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), Merkblatt: prior customs procedure
“Annahme von Schmelzgut aus dem Ausland sichergestellt wird, dass dieses vorgängig”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), Merkblatt: fine per case (under the EMKG)
“mit bis zu CHF 2 000 pro Fall gebüsst werden”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), Merkblatt: licence withdrawal
“In schweren Fällen kann die entsprechende Bewilligung”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), BAZG letter of 4 Dec 2019 on import of unmarked melt products (only footnotes are sectioned; cited law-only)
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), BAZG-VG of 20 June 2025, Anhang 2 Ziff. 53 (EMKG Art. 20 Abs. 3-5 repealed, new Art. 22a); annex not sectioned, cited law-only
- 11
Optionally store under customs control in a free port (e.g. Geneva La Praille / Aéroport, Embrach - Embraport, Zürich-Flughafen - Cargologic): stored goods are not subject to import customs duties or trade-policy measures and may be stored indefinitely
- Who
- Bonded warehouse / freeport operator (Geneva/Embrach)
- Issues
- Electronic customs declaration on entry of sensitive goods into the free port (content: the inventory-record particulars listed in the Customs Ordinance, letters a to f, plus the depositor's name and address); Electronic inventory record of sensitive goods: previous customs document, entry date, owner, origin country, description, value, marks, gross/net mass, origin proof, location, exit date, etc. (17 fields)
Primary lawThe BAZG free-port list held is the old list in the library (its record dates it to the start of the year it was issued; no newer list found); operators may have changed. [time-limited] The BAZG-VG (adopted, not yet in force) treats free ports as a kind of customs warehouse and will replace these articles when in force. [inferred] Suspension of import VAT is read from the BAZG free-port directive ("auf das Erheben der Abgaben ... verzichtet"); the ZG names only import customs duties and trade-policy measures. Supplies of goods stored in a free port are VAT-exempt under the MWSTG (read). The ZG and ZV are now read in their official fedlex consolidations held on the server.
Swiss Customs Act (ZG); Customs Ordinance (ZV) (articles in refs), ZG (SR 631.0, Stand 1 Sep 2023) Art. 62 Abs. 1
“Zollfreilager sind Teile des Zollgebiets oder in diesem gelegene Räumlichkeiten:”
Swiss Customs Act (ZG); Customs Ordinance (ZV) (articles in refs), ZG Art. 62 Abs. 3
“Die eingelagerten Waren unterliegen weder den Einfuhrzollabgaben noch handels- politischen Massnahmen.”
Swiss Customs Act (ZG); Customs Ordinance (ZV) (articles in refs), ZG Art. 64 Abs. 1
“Wer ein Zollfreilager betreibt, braucht eine Bewilligung des BAZG.”
Swiss Customs Act (ZG); Customs Ordinance (ZV) (articles in refs), ZG Art. 65 Abs. 1
“Waren, die in einem Zollfreilager gelagert werden sollen, sind der zuständigen Zoll- stelle zur Einlagerung anzumelden und in das Zollfreilager zu verbringen.”
Swiss Customs Act (ZG); Customs Ordinance (ZV) (articles in refs), ZG Art. 65 Abs. 2
“In Zollfreilagern dürfen Waren beliebig lange gelagert werden.”
Swiss Customs Act (ZG); Customs Ordinance (ZV) (articles in refs), ZG Art. 66 Abs. 1
“Die Lagerhalterin oder der Lagerhalter muss über alle eingelagerten sensiblen Wa- ren Bestandesaufzeichnungen führen.”
Swiss Customs Act (ZG); Customs Ordinance (ZV) (articles in refs), ZV (SR 631.01, Stand 1 Oct 2024) Art. 178a Abs. 1
“Die anmeldepflichtige Person muss sensible Waren bei der Einlagerung ins Zollfrei- lager elektronisch anmelden.”
Swiss Customs Act (ZG); Customs Ordinance (ZV) (articles in refs), ZV Art. 182 Abs. 2
“Sie oder er muss zudem für sensible Waren eine Bestandesaufzeichnung führen.”
Swiss Customs Act (ZG); Customs Ordinance (ZV) (articles in refs), ZV Art. 184 Abs. 2
“Sie muss elektronisch geführt werden.”
Swiss Customs Act (ZG); Customs Ordinance (ZV) (articles in refs), ZV Anhang 2 Ziff. 5 (sensitive goods; the section id carries footnote 193 glued to the label)
“Perlen, Diamanten, Edelsteine, Schmucksteine, Edelmetalle und Edel- metallplattierungen sowie Waren daraus (ex Zolltarifkapitel 71)”
Swiss Customs Act (ZG); Customs Ordinance (ZV) (articles in refs), BAZG Richtlinie R-10-50 Ziff. 1.1 (levies not raised)
“Dabei wird auf das Erheben der Abgaben, auf deren Sicherstellung und auf die Anwendung handelspolitischer Massnahmen”
Swiss Customs Act (ZG); Customs Ordinance (ZV) (articles in refs), MWSTG Art. 23 Abs. 2 Ziff. 3bis
“die Lieferung von Gegenständen, die wegen Einlagerung in einem Zollfreilager (Art. 62-66 ZG) nachweislich im Inland unter Zollüberwachung standen und diesen Zollstatus nicht rückwirkend verloren haben”
Swiss Customs Act (ZG); Customs Ordinance (ZV) (articles in refs), Embrach
“Zürcher Freilager AG, GVZ Embraport”
Swiss Customs Act (ZG); Customs Ordinance (ZV) (articles in refs), Genève La Praille and Genève Aéroport
“Ports Francs et Entrepôts de Genève SA”
Swiss Customs Act (ZG); Customs Ordinance (ZV) (articles in refs), BAZG-VG (20 June 2025, not in force) Art. 64
“Zolllager sind vom BAZG zugelassene Orte im Zollgebiet”
Swiss Customs Act (ZG); Customs Ordinance (ZV) (articles in refs), BAZG-VG Art. 65 Abs. 2
“Als Zolllager können bewilligt werden:”
- 12
Screen the bars, buyer and destination against Swiss sanctions before release: no purchase, import, transit or related services (including brokerage and financing) for gold of Russian origin exported after 4 Aug 2022 or gold processed from it in third countries
- Who
- Swiss refiner (melter/trade-assayer licence, LBMA Good Delivery-listed)
Primary law[transcription] Art. 14d paras 1-4 read in an unofficial third-party English translation (as at 22 Mar 2024, held in laws/); Annex 26 covers 7108, 7112 91 and ex 7118 90 gold coins; Annex 27 ex 7113 and ex 7114. [unconfirmed] The official consolidation is now Stand 21 Sep 2026 and was not read (the fetch tool truncates before Art. 14d); changes after March 2024 are not ruled out. The ordinance contains no explicit ban on selling gold to Russia; the export-side effect is through the services ban.
Ordinance of 4 March 2022 on measures in connection with the situation in Ukraine (SR 946.231.176.72), Art. 14d
- 13
Release the bars from the refinery vault or free port against the owner's instruction and prepare the weight list (bar list), commercial invoice and packing list for the shipment
- Who
- Swiss refiner (melter/trade-assayer licence, LBMA Good Delivery-listed)
- Issues
- Outbound weight list / bar list; Commercial invoice to the foreign buyer; Packing list
StandardThe weight list is sourced to LBMA Annex C; commercial invoice and packing list are standard export practice, not read in a Swiss source.
LBMA Good Delivery Rules, Annex C (weight lists); Customs Act Arts. 62-66 (free ports)
- 14
Lodge the electronic export declaration in Passar (HS 7108; e-dec Export was usable only to end-2025); the declarant must make it binding and physically export the goods within 120 days of its acceptance in the IT system
- Who
- Swiss refiner (melter/trade-assayer licence, LBMA Good Delivery-listed)
- Issues
- Passar export declaration (HS 7108)
Official guidanceR-10-10 (valid 1 Jan 2026) cites Art. 25-29 ZG and Art. 79-83 ZV for the declaration duty, says declarations are electronic in principle, and sets the 120-day limit from acceptance in the IT system. R-10-10 held and read in full on 2026-09-28; the Customs Act and Ordinance texts themselves were not read. R-10-10 has no gold-specific rule.
Customs Act (ZG, SR 631.0); BAZG R-10-10, ZG Arts. 25-29 (as cited in R-10-10)
- 15
Receive the export assessment notice (Veranlagungsverfuegung Ausfuhr), the evidence that the goods were properly cleared for export
- Who
- Swiss refiner (melter/trade-assayer licence, LBMA Good Delivery-listed)
- Issues
- Veranlagungsverfuegung Ausfuhr
Official guidanceR-10-10 cites Art. 38 and 69 ZG and Art. 92 ZV for the export assessment notice and says it is evidence of proper assessment and of export for VAT. R-10-10 held and read in full on 2026-09-28.
Customs Act (ZG); BAZG R-10-10, ZG Arts. 38 and 69; ZV Art. 92 (as cited in R-10-10)
- 16
Treat the sale as a VAT-exempt export (supply of goods directly transported abroad) and keep the export assessment notice as evidence
- Who
- Swiss refiner (melter/trade-assayer licence, LBMA Good Delivery-listed)
- Needs
- Veranlagungsverfuegung Ausfuhr
Primary lawArt. 23(2) no. 1 read in the held MWSTG (Stand 1 Jan 2025, German wording current). Art. 23(3): direct export includes export into an open customs warehouse or a free port. Investment gold of at least 995 fineness is separately exempt with credit under Art. 23(2) no. 12 (see ch.tax-import-vat).
Federal VAT Act (MWSTG, SR 641.20), Art. 23(2) no. 1
- 17
Hand the sealed consignment to a secure valuables carrier and fly it out (Zurich or Geneva) under an air waybill
- Who
- Swiss refiner (melter/trade-assayer licence, LBMA Good Delivery-listed)
- Issues
- Air waybill (outbound)
UnverifiedCarrier practice. Cantonal licensing: in the Canton of Zurich "Sicherheitstransporte von Personen, Gütern und Wertsachen" require a licence under the Polizeigesetz, 9. Abschnitt (cantonal page, read by WebFetch 2026-09-28; PolG text not read). Geneva and other cantons not checked. No Swiss source read describes the outbound air leg for gold.
Taxes and fees
Customs duty on gold
0% HS 7108
Official guidanceAmount not confirmedImport VAT on gold
Exempt Gold and gold alloys under MWSTG Art. 23(2) Ziff. 12: (a) state-minted gold coins of tariff nos. 7118.9010, 9705.3100, 9705.3900; (b) investment gold of at least 995 fineness as cast bars bearing the fineness and the stamp of a recognised assayer-melter, or stamped plates; (c) granules of at least 995 packed and sealed by a recognised assayer-melter; (d) gold in raw form or semi-finished for refining or recovery, and gold waste and scrap; (e) alloys under (d) with 2% or more gold
Primary lawAmount not confirmedVAT Act (MWSTG, SR 641.20), Art. 53(1)(m) (import) with Art. 23(2) Ziff. 12
Controls
Banks identify the contracting party and beneficial owner for precious-metals trading and for cash transactions over CHF 15,000 (CDB 20; Form A, Form K).
CHF 15,000 cash
StandardAmount not confirmedCDB 20 (SBA), CDB Art. 4(2)(f)-(g), 7, 20-21, 27-28
Melt material imported from abroad for sale in Switzerland needs a formal import declaration; simplified and oral declarations are excluded in principle. A buyer or licensee who accepts melt material that has not been through customs breaches due diligence under the PMCA: fine up to CHF 2,000 per ca…
Official guidanceBAZG Merkblatt 'Annahme von Schmelzgut aus dem Ausland' (Jan 2024)
Commercial production of melt products (bars, plates, rods, granules made by melting precious metal or melt material) requires a melt licence; acting without it is punishable by a fine (EMKG Art. 48). Every melt product must bear the licence holder's stamp; melt products for resale must be assayed b…
Primary lawEMKG/PMCA (SR 941.31), Arts. 1(2), 24, 31(1), 32-33, 47, 48
Holders of a melter licence may accept melt material only from persons who can prove lawful acquisition, and must verify the customer's identity by a probative document such as a passport or identity card. Where origin is doubtful or the offer comes from unknown persons, origin must be clarified wit…
Primary lawPMCO/EMKV (articles in refs), EMKV (SR 941.311, Stand 1 Jan 2024) Art. 168a Abs. 1 (parsed into section sch-2)
“Der Inhaber einer Schmelzbewilligung darf Schmelzgut nur von Per-”
PMCO/EMKV (articles in refs), EMKV (SR 941.311, Stand 1 Jan 2024) Art. 168a Abs. 2 (parsed into section sch-2)
“Es muss die Identität des Kunden anhand eines beweiskräftigen Do- kumentes wie Pass oder Identitätskarte überprüfen.”
PMCO/EMKV (articles in refs), EMKV (SR 941.311, Stand 1 Jan 2024) Art. 168a Abs. 3 (parsed into section sch-2)
“Bestehen über die Herkunft der Ware Zweifel oder stammen die An- gebote von Unbekannten, so ist der Inhaber der Schmelzbewilligung verpflichtet, die Herkunft des Schmelzgutes besonders sorgfältig abzu- klären.”
PMCO/EMKV (articles in refs), EMKV (SR 941.311, Stand 1 Jan 2024) Art. 168b Abs. 1 (parsed into section sch-2)
“derlichen organisatorischen Massnahmen, um das Schmelzen von Schmelzgut unrechtmässiger Herkunft zu verhindern.”
PMCO/EMKV (articles in refs), EMKV (SR 941.311, Stand 1 Jan 2024) Art. 168b Abs. 2 (parsed into section sch-2)
“so ist die Ware durch den Inhaber der Schmelzbewilligung bis zur Klärung des Falles in unverändertem Zu- stand aufzubewahren.”
PMCO/EMKV (articles in refs), EMKV (SR 941.311, Stand 1 Jan 2024) Art. 168b Abs. 3 (parsed into section sch-2)
“Schmelzprodukten müssen während zehn Jahren aufbewahrt werden.”
PMCO/EMKV (articles in refs), EMKV (SR 941.311, Stand 1 Jan 2024) Art. 168c Abs. 1 (parsed into section sch-2)
“Der Inhaber einer Schmelzbewilligung muss über seine Ankäufe von Schmelzgut und Schmelzprodukten Buch führen.”
PMCO/EMKV (articles in refs), EMKV (SR 941.311, Stand 1 Jan 2024) Art. 168c Abs. 2 Bst. b (parsed into section sch-2)
“die in Artikel 168a Absatz 2 vorgeschriebenen Identifikations- nachweise;”
PMCO/EMKV (articles in refs), BAZG Schmelzen und Prüfen (Dec 2023) Ziff. 4.1.6 (restates Art. 168a)
“Er muss die Identität des Kunden anhand eines beweiskräftigen Dokumentes wie Pass oder Identitätskarte überprüfen und muss sich vor Ausführung des Auftrages den rechtmässigen Erwerb des Schmelzgutes durch den Auftraggeber nachweisen lassen.”
PMCO/EMKV (articles in refs), BAZG Schmelzen und Prüfen (Dec 2023) Ziff. 4.1.6 (restates Art. 168b Abs. 3)
“Die Dokumente über den Geschäftsverkehr mit Schmelzgut und Schmelzprodukten müssen während zehn Jahren aufbewahrt werden.”
PMCO/EMKV (articles in refs), BAZG Richtlinie R-247 (1 Jan 2023) Ziff. 3.3.2
“Bestehen Zweifel über die Herkunft des Materials oder in Bezug auf die Integrität des Kunden sind Bewilligungsinhaber verpflichtet, den Sachverhalt besonders sorgfältig abzuklären”
Purchase, import, transit and transport of gold (Annex 26) originating in Russia and exported from Russia after 4 Aug 2022, and of gold processed from it in third countries, are prohibited, as are related services (all kinds, including financial services, brokerage and technical assistance) and the …
Primary lawOrdinance of 4 March 2022 on measures in connection with the situation in Ukraine (SR 946.231.176.72), Art. 14d
Precious metals are 'sensitive goods' in free ports (Customs Ordinance Annex 2, as amended on 18 November 2015): the declarant must declare them electronically on entry into storage, and an electronic inventory record of them is kept per depositor and submitted by the warehouse keeper to customs on …
Primary lawCustoms Ordinance (ZV) as amended on 18 November 2015 (articles in refs), AS 2015 4917, ZV Anhang 2 (sensitive goods) as amended
“Anhang 2 wird wie folgt geändert:”
Customs Ordinance (ZV) as amended on 18 November 2015 (articles in refs), ZV Anhang 2 Ziff. 5: precious metals ex tariff chapter 71
“Perlen, Diamanten, Edelsteine, Schmucksteine, Edelmetalle und Edel- metallplattierungen sowie Waren daraus (ex Zolltarifkapitel 71)”
Customs Ordinance (ZV) as amended on 18 November 2015 (articles in refs), AS 2015 4917 Ziff. IV: in force
“Diese Verordnung tritt am 1. Januar 2016 in Kraft.”
Customs Ordinance (ZV) as amended on 18 November 2015 (articles in refs), ZV Art. 178a Abs. 1: electronic declaration on entry into the free port
“Die anmeldepflichtige Person muss sensible Waren bei der Einlagerung ins Zoll- freilager elektronisch anmelden.”
Customs Ordinance (ZV) as amended on 18 November 2015 (articles in refs), ZV Art. 185: inventory record per depositor
“Die Bestandesaufzeichnung für sensible Waren ist je Einlagererin oder je Einlagerer zu führen.”
Customs Ordinance (ZV) as amended on 18 November 2015 (articles in refs), ZV Art. 184 Abs. 2: kept electronically
“Sie muss elektronisch geführt werden.”
Customs Ordinance (ZV) as amended on 18 November 2015 (articles in refs), ZV Art. 184 Abs. 3bis: warehouse keeper submits it on request
“Auf Verlangen muss die Lagerhalterin oder der Lagerhalter der EZV die”
Customs Ordinance (ZV) as amended on 18 November 2015 (articles in refs), AS 2015 4917, ZV Art. 246a: amendment date
“Übergangsbestimmungen zur Änderung vom 18. November 2015”
Customs Ordinance (ZV) as amended on 18 November 2015 (articles in refs), BAZG R-10-50 (1 Jul 2025) s.1.3.1: export goods count as sensitive goods
“Ausfuhrwaren gelten als sensible Waren”
Customs Ordinance (ZV) as amended on 18 November 2015 (articles in refs), R-10-50 s.4.1: inventory records over all sensitive goods
“Bestandesaufzeichnungen nach den Grundsätzen der ordnungsgemässen Buchführung”
Cash threshold for dealers in goods (anti-money laundering)
Primary lawGwG Art. 8a(1)
“Händlerinnen und Händler nach Artikel 2 Absatz 1 Buchstabe b müssen folgende”
GwG Art. 8a(1)(a)
“Identifizierung der Vertragspartei (Art. 3 Abs. 1);”
Cash threshold for dealers in gold (anti-money laundering)
Primary lawGwG Art. 8a(1)
“Händlerinnen und Händler nach Artikel 2 Absatz 1 Buchstabe b müssen folgende”
GwG Art. 8a(1)(a)
“Identifizierung der Vertragspartei (Art. 3 Abs. 1);”
GwG Art. 8a(2bis)
“oder Edelsteinen beträgt die massgebende Schwelle im Sinne von Ab-”
EMKG Art. 1(1)
“Edelmetalle im Sinne dieses Gesetzes sind Gold, Silber, Platin und Palladium.”
Leg 3: United Arab Emirates
Where the goods arrive
- 18
Pre-contract KYC on the Nigerian exporter: corporate docs, UBO, MBC/export-permit evidence, mine-of-origin declaration
- Who
- DMCC importer / trader
- Needs
- Bank-to-bank reference confirmation (not a public letter) on the Nigerian exporter
- Issues
- Importer's KYC/due-diligence pack on the Nigerian exporter; Evidence pack from the Nigerian exporter: export licence/permit, mine location, legal existence of the ASM operation
Official guidance[conflict] For an ordinary DMCC trader the binding CDD duties are those of CR 134/2025 (Arts. 5-14); DMCC RBD-GPM binds only its Accredited Members (see ae.div-dmcc-role). [inferred] "Highest-scrutiny category" for ASM is the model's reading of Rule 1.6, not a phrase in the Rules.
DMCC RBD-GPM Rules v2/2020; Cabinet Resolution 134/2025, DMCC Rules 1.4-1.8 (KYC; Rule 1.6 specific requirements for ASM supply), Rules 2.4-2.8 (red flags); CR 134 Art. 25(1) (records at least 5 years)
- 19
File the Dubai Customs declaration on Mirsal 2 with invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and air waybill (for a free-zone consignee the Customer Guide's 'FZ Transit In' type appears to apply, not import to local); disclose the precious metals crossing the border
- Who
- DMCC importer / trader
- Needs
- Air waybill; Certificate of origin; Origin country's export authorisation for the gold (permit, licence or clearance issued by the mining or trade authority); Commercial invoice; Packing list
- Issues
- Dubai Customs declaration filed online (for goods entering a free zone: "FZ Transit In"); Disclosure of precious metals crossing the UAE border (cargo included)
Official guidanceNo UAE import permit for gold: Dubai Customs lists DMCC as restricting authority only for "Pearls, Diamonds, Rough Diamonds etc." (Customer Guide App. I). FZ Transit In (s.15.12.2): "foreign goods originated from any country may be brought into the free zones without being subject to customs duties or taxes. The owner of the goods in the Documents shall be a Free Zone Licensee"; documents MAWB/HAWB, commercial invoice, certificate of origin, packing list, delivery order. Mainland duty: the GCC exempted list's gold line is printed "71060000" (silver's heading) [summary][blocked]. Cross-border disclosure: see ae.doc-pm-disclosure-ae. [unconfirmed] Neither Dubai Customs guide names the declaration type for gold into a DMCC company or the DMCC Vault. [conflict] Supporting documents are due within 14 days (Customer Guide s.15.7) or 30 days (Service Guide v9 App. A) - see ae.div-customs-doc-deadline. KPMG (secondary): periodic "Goods Consumption within FZ" declaration under Dubai Customs Notice 17/2020.
Dubai Customs Customer Guide v3.03; Dubai Customs Service Guide v9; Federal Decree-Law 10/2025, Customer Guide s.15.12.2 (FZ Transit In), App. J (DMCC declarations at the Customer Service Center at DMCC); FDL 10/2025 Art. 10 (cross-border disclosure)
- 20
Import VAT: registered importer accounts for VAT on its own return (reverse charge); investment-grade gold is zero-rated, doré is not
- Who
- DMCC importer / trader
- Issues
- Import VAT accounted on the importer's own VAT return (registered importer)
Primary lawInvestment precious metals = gold, silver or platinum of 99% purity or more, in a form tradeable in global bullion markets (ER Art. 36(2), not amended in the consolidation to CD 100/2025); their supply or import is zero-rated (Art. 45(8)). [inferred] Doré below 99% does not qualify. [unconfirmed] DMCC's absence from the Designated Zones was checked only against the 2017 list (secondary copy). [not-read] FDL 16/2025 amendments (from 1 Jan 2026) not held.
Federal Decree-Law 8/2017 on VAT; Executive Regulation (Cabinet Decision 52/2017, as amended; consolidated to CD 100/2025), Law Art. 45(8), 48(1), 49; ER Art. 36(2), 48(1), 48(5), 50(1)
- 21
If the importer sells the doré to the refiner (rather than toll-refining it): refiner gives two written statements before supply; importer issues a tax invoice without VAT (reverse charge)
- Who
- DMCC importer / trader
- Issues
- Refiner's two written statements: VAT-registered, and buying to resell or use in production; Tax invoice without VAT for the importer-to-refiner sale
Primary law[inferred] Conditional: the model reads the reverse charge as not applying where the refiner only toll-refines metal the importer keeps title to; the sources read do not address toll refining.
Cabinet Decision 127/2024; VAT Executive Regulation, CD 127 Art. 2(1), 2(3) (two written declarations before supply; supplier keeps them and verifies registration), 2(4) (no declarations: no reverse charge); ER Art. 59(1)(l)
- 22
Deposit refined bars into DMCC Vault (operated by Brink's)
- Who
- DMCC Vault (operated by Brink's)
- Needs
- Manufacturer certificate accompanying UAEGD bars (states year of manufacture if not stamped)
- Issues
- DMCC Vault deposit/withdrawal receipt; DMCC Tradeflow warrant (optional; used for pledging and title transfer)
Official guidanceDMCC: the Vault is "Owned by DMCC and operated by Brink's Global Services" and "DMCC can assist with all customs processes". [not-read] Deposit/withdrawal documents and any bonded status of the Vault are not published; the receipt document is inferred.
- 23
Reconcile the provisional (origin) assay against the Dubai refiner's outturn assay: within the contract's splitting limit the two assays are commonly averaged; beyond it an umpire assay decides (the assay closer to the umpire's is used, and the party further from it pays the umpire); settle the difference and pay the final balance
- Who
- DMCC importer / trader
- Needs
- Refiner outturn/assay report; Commercial invoice
- Issues
- Final invoice from the Nigerian exporter (against Dubai outturn assay); Reconciliation of provisional vs outturn assay; Balance/final payment wire; DPMSR filed in goAML for the final settlement
Secondary[unconfirmed] Debit and credit notes are not described in the two contracts read; the Johnson Matthey contract settles by metal credit, adjusted after the umpire result.
Refining/sale contract settlement clause -- splitting limit + umpire assay if the two figures diverge beyond it
Taxes and fees
Customs duty on gold imports
0% for goods entering a free zone (FZ Transit In); mainland imports of gold: 0% under the GCC exempted-commodities list (read via WebFetch only) Unwrought and semi-manufactured gold
Official guidanceAmount not confirmedDubai Customs Customer Guide v3.03; GCC common customs law; UAE list of exempted commodities, Customer Guide s.9 (duty suspended for goods admitted into free zones), s.15.12.2
Domestic reverse charge on precious metals and precious stones between registered businesses
Recipient accounts for VAT Supplies of gold, silver, platinum, palladium, precious stones and jewellery made of them, for resale or production, between VAT-registered persons, with the buyer's written declaration (CD 127/2024, replacing CD 25/2018)
Primary lawCabinet Decision 127/2024; FTA VATP043, Art. 1 (Goods: precious metals - gold, silver, palladium, platinum - precious stones and jewellery mostly of them), Art. 2(1)-(4), Art. 4 (repeals CD 25/2018)
“Precious Metals, Precious Stones and jewelry made of any Precious Metals or Precious Stones”
Special reverse charge on gold and diamonds between registrants (Cabinet Decision 25/2018)
Registered recipient accounts for VAT Gold and products mostly of gold not qualifying for zero-rating, and diamonds, supplied between registrants; exports of gold items and investment precious metals outside its scope (VATP029)
Official guidanceCabinet Decision No. 25 of 2018
Import VAT
5% standard; 0% for investment precious metals (99%+ purity, tradeable form) Doré is not investment gold, so it is standard-rated; refined bars of 99%+ are zero-rated
Primary lawAmount not confirmedFederal Decree-Law 8/2017 on VAT; Executive Regulation, Art. 3 (5%), 45(8), 48(1), 49; Exec. Reg. Art. 36(2), 48, 50(1)
“a standard rate of 5% Tax shall be imposed on any supply or Import”
Controls
Precious metals crossing the UAE border must be disclosed; declarations are also required for precious metals over AED 60,000 crossing through cargo, mail or shipments, cargo being declared through the official customs systems.
AED 60,000
Primary lawAmount not confirmedFederal Decree-Law 10/2025; CBUAE Regulation on the Declaration of Currencies, BNIs, and Precious Metals and Stones (OG 703, 31 May 2021), FDL 10/2025 Art. 10 (duty to disclose, per the disclosure system issued by the ICP with the Central Bank), Art. 41(3) (regulations under FDL 20/2018 remain effective insofar as not conflicting), Art. 34 (penalty)
“Any person entering into or departing from the State shall be under the obligation to make a disclosure whenever they carry currencies, bearer negotiable instruments, precious metals, or valuable stones, in accordance with the disclosure system issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, in coordination with the Central Bank”
Dealers in precious metals and stones are DNFBPs for any single cash transaction, or linked transactions, of AED 55,000 or more (CR 134/2025 Art. 3 item 3), and keep records for at least 5 years (Art. 25). The DPMSR report, including for dealings with companies of AED 55,000 or more paid in cash or …
AED 55,000
Primary lawCabinet Resolution 134/2025; MoET Supplemental Guidance for DPMS 2026, CR 134 Art. 3(3), Art. 25(1); Guidance s.1.4.1
“when carrying out any single cash transaction or several transactions that appear to be linked and whose value equals or exceeds fifty-five thousand dirhams (AED 55,000)”
Supply-chain entities and precious-metals dealers must have due-diligence management systems, identify and assess supply-chain risks and adopt a risk-management strategy (Decree Art. 1(A)); refiners must also appoint an independent third-party auditor and submit a due-diligence report (Art. 1(B)), u…
Primary lawMinisterial Decree 68/2024; MoE Due Diligence Regulations v1 (2022), Decree Art. 1(A), 1(B), Art. 3 (penalties under the AML law)
Leg 4: Burkina Faso
Back in the origin country: the proceeds of the export
- 24
Collect and repatriate the export proceeds through the authorised intermediary within one month of the payment due date; the due date must fall within 120 days of shipment
- Who
- Authorised intermediary bank
- Issues
- Credit of export proceeds to the Burkinabè bank
Primary lawInstruction 03/07/2025/RFE; Règlement 06/2024/CM/UEMOA, Instruction Art. 7; Règlement Art. 11
- 25
The domiciling bank repatriates at least 80% of the proceeds through BCEAO correspondent accounts and surrenders the currency to the BCEAO
- Who
- Authorised intermediary bank
Primary law[unconfirmed] mining conventions may allow offshore accounts; not checked.
Instruction 03/07/2025/RFE; Règlement 06/2024/CM/UEMOA, Instruction Art. 7; Règlement Art. 5, Annex II Art. 15
- 26
Clear (apurer) the export domiciliation file against the customs declaration and the proceeds; report files not cleared
- Who
- Authorised intermediary bank
Primary lawInstruction 03/07/2025/RFE, Art. 8
Crossings between countries
Burkina Faso → Switzerland Researched
Papers that cross: Special export authorisation (ASE); Minister of Finance prior authorisation to export gold (UEMOA); BUMIGEB control certificate for ASM or semi-mechanised gold ingots (with official hallmark); Commercial invoice; Packing list; Attestation d'exportation de biens; Customs export declaration (Burkina Faso); Certificate of origin (Burkina Faso); Air waybill
Switzerland → United Arab Emirates Not researched
Papers that cross: Electronic customs import declaration (commercial import; simplified and oral declarations excluded for melt material); Passar export declaration (HS 7108); Veranlagungsverfuegung Ausfuhr; Air waybill (outbound)