Canada (refine) → United Kingdom → United States · Sale to or through a precious-metals dealer
Public law and official guidance, published as research. Not legal, tax or financial advice.
Ask the research
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.
Canada (Doré bar - unstamped → LBMA Good Delivery 400oz bar) ⟶ United Kingdom (LBMA Good Delivery 400oz bar) ⟶ United States (LBMA Good Delivery 400oz bar)
Not researched: United Kingdom → United States
Leg 1: Canada
Where the goods start
Doré bar - unstamped → LBMA Good Delivery 400oz bar
- 1
Obtain a prospector's licence online in the Ontario Mining Lands Administration System (MLAS): 18 or older, after completing the Mining Act awareness program within the prior 60 days; valid five years
- Who
- Prospector / mining-claim or exclusive-exploration-right holder
- Issues
- Ontario prospector's licence
Primary lawOntario Mining Act, ss.18, 19
- 2
Register a cell mining claim online in MLAS (no ground staking)
- Who
- Prospector / mining-claim or exclusive-exploration-right holder
- Needs
- Ontario prospector's licence
- Issues
- Registered mining claim (MLAS)
Primary lawOntario Mining Act, s.38(2)
- 3
Acquire a Quebec exclusive exploration right by filing a notice of map designation and having it registered (3-year first term, 2-year renewals subject to work)
- Who
- Prospector / mining-claim or exclusive-exploration-right holder
- Issues
- Registered exclusive exploration right (Quebec)
Primary lawQuebec Mining Act, ss.47, 61
- 4
Ontario: obtain a mining lease (entitled on compliance and first year's rent, after the fifth unit of assessment work; 21 years) and, before mine production, file the Notice of Project Status, give public notice, complete Aboriginal consultation, submit a closure plan with financial assurance (O. Reg. 35/24) and receive the Minister's written confirmation of filing
- Who
- Industrial mine operator (mining-lease holder)
- Needs
- Registered mining claim (MLAS)
- Issues
- Mining lease; Filed closure plan with financial assurance
Primary lawOntario Mining Act; O. Reg. 35/24, Mining Act s.81(1)-(3), s.141(1)
- 5
Quebec: obtain a mining lease before mining (rehabilitation plan approved, financial guarantee, certified feasibility study, environmental authorization, market/processing study where required, rental paid); 20-year term renewable for 10-year periods
- Who
- Industrial mine operator (mining-lease holder)
- Needs
- Registered exclusive exploration right (Quebec)
- Issues
- Mining lease
Primary lawQuebec Mining Act, ss.100, 101, 104
- 6
Mine lode ore on the leased land
- Who
- Industrial mine operator (mining-lease holder)
- Needs
- Mining lease; Filed closure plan with financial assurance
Official guidance - 7
Mill and leach the ore on site and smelt the recovered gold into doré bars
- Who
- Industrial mine operator (mining-lease holder)
- Form
- Ore (in situ / run-of-mine) → Doré bar - unstamped
Industry practiceProcess route is industry practice; Customs Tariff separately identifies doré (7108.12.00.22).
- 8
Number, weigh and sample each doré bar; record mine assay and seal for shipment
- Who
- Industrial mine operator (mining-lease holder)
- Issues
- Doré bar number and mine weight/assay record
- Form
- Doré bar - unstamped → Doré bar - stamped/exporter-sealed
Industry practice - 9
Ship doré under a refining agreement by secure carrier to a Canadian refiner (Royal Canadian Mint or a private GD refiner); for ore or minerals from Ontario mining lands, refining abroad breaches the s.91 condition unless the Lieutenant Governor in Council has exempted the lands
- Who
- Industrial mine operator (mining-lease holder)
- Needs
- Doré bar number and mine weight/assay record
- Issues
- Refining (toll) agreement, mine - Canadian refiner
Primary law[inferred] Refining route and carriers are industry practice; the Ontario limitation is s.91(1) and (3); Quebec has no equivalent condition in the sections read (s.101(5) only requires a study on processing in Quebec for regulated substances).
- 10
Onboard the supplier: KYC, OECD five-step risk assessment, sanctions/PEP/adverse-media screening, confirm gold is not imported, purchased or acquired from Russia or a person in Russia
- Who
- Private LBMA Good Delivery refiner in Canada
- Needs
- Refining (toll) agreement, mine - Canadian refiner; Origin country's export authorisation for the gold (permit, licence or clearance issued by the mining or trade authority)
- Issues
- Supplier KYC pack and acknowledgement of the refiner's procurement policy; Onboarding and daily screening record; non-Russian origin confirmation
Primary law[inferred] SEMA element is law; KYC and OECD process are LBMA/refiner practice, not a Canadian statute for refiners.
SEMA (Russia) Regulations s.3.11; LBMA RGG; OECD DDG, s.3.11
- 11
Receive, weigh, melt and sample the lot; assay in the refinery lab and issue the outturn
- Who
- Private LBMA Good Delivery refiner in Canada
- Needs
- Supplier KYC pack and acknowledgement of the refiner's procurement policy; Onboarding and daily screening record; non-Russian origin confirmation
- Issues
- Refiner outturn assay and settlement statement
Official guidance - 12
Refine to 999.9 (or 999.99) and cast LBMA Good Delivery 400 oz bars, 100 oz or 1 kg bars bearing the refiner's mark
- Who
- Private LBMA Good Delivery refiner in Canada
- Issues
- Bar list of refined bars (GD 400 oz, 100 oz, kilobars)
- Form
- Doré bar - stamped/exporter-sealed → LBMA Good Delivery 400oz bar
Official guidance - 13
Settle outturn with the supplier: credit fine metal to its metal account or buy the metal, with final invoice
- Who
- Private LBMA Good Delivery refiner in Canada
- Needs
- Refiner outturn assay and settlement statement
- Issues
- Refiner's final invoice / metal-account credit against outturn
Industry practice - 14
First supply of the refined bars by the refiner (or the owner on whose behalf they were refined) is zero-rated for GST/HST; refining fees charged to the metal owner are generally taxable
- Who
- Private LBMA Good Delivery refiner in Canada
- Issues
- Invoice for sale of refined bars (zero-rated first supply by the refiner / exempt resale)
Primary lawRefining-fee taxability is CRA guidance (17-1 para 35), not a specific statutory provision.
Excise Tax Act, s.123(1) 'precious metal'; Sched VI Part IX s.3
- 15
For any purchase or sale of $10,000 or more as a dealer in precious metals: verify identity, keep records, report cash of $10,000+ (LCTR), virtual currency (LVCTR) and suspicious transactions
- Who
- Private LBMA Good Delivery refiner in Canada
- Issues
- Record of $10,000+ purchase or sale and client identification; Large cash transaction report; Suspicious transaction report; Large virtual currency transaction report
Primary laws.65(2) excludes purchases/sales in connection with extracting precious metals from a mine or manufacturing a product; its application to refiners buying doré is not settled in the texts read.
PCMLTF Regulations, ss.65, 66, 126, 148
- 16
Confirm no export permit is needed: gold is not on the Export Control List (EIPA s.13 requires a permit only for listed goods or Area Control List countries) and there is no gold export licence, state buyer or export duty; unwrought and semi-manufactured gold (710812, 710813) may not be exported to Russia or a person in Russia (SEMA (Russia) s.3.08, Schedule 6 Part 1 items 176-177); check buyer sanctions
- Who
- Exporter of record (mine, refiner or bullion trader)
Primary law[not-read] Area Control List and sanctions regimes other than Russia not read.
Export and Import Permits Act; Export Control List; SEMA (Russia) Regulations, EIPA s.13; SEMA (Russia) s.3.08
- 17
Invoice the non-resident buyer. Refined bars ('precious metal'): zero-rated when the exporter is the refiner or the person for whom they were refined (ETA Sched VI Part IX s.3); otherwise an exempt financial service (Sched V Part VII s.1), zero-rated under Part IX s.1 only when supplied by a financial institution to a non-resident. Doré and other gold that is not 'precious metal': taxable, zero-rated as an export when the Sched VI Part V s.1 conditions are met
- Who
- Exporter of record (mine, refiner or bullion trader)
- Issues
- Commercial invoice to the foreign buyer
Primary lawCRA 17-1 paras 34 and 37 match this reading of Part IX ss.1 and 3. [inferred] Application of Sched VI Part V s.1 (export of tangible personal property) to doré is our reading of the provision.
Excise Tax Act, s.123(1); Sched V Part VII s.1; Sched VI Part IX ss.1, 3; Sched VI Part V s.1
- 18
Report the export to CBSA through the CERS portal or G7 EDI (goods of CAD 2,000+ to any country other than the US), not less than 2 hours before loading on an aircraft; obtain the proof of report number
- Who
- Exporter of record (mine, refiner or bullion trader)
- Needs
- Commercial invoice to the foreign buyer
- Issues
- CERS export declaration and proof of report number
Primary lawCustoms Act Part V; Reporting of Exported Goods Regulations, Customs Act s.95(1); REGR ss.3(1), 6(b)
- 19
For exports to the United States: no Canadian export declaration is required for non-restricted goods such as gold
- Who
- Exporter of record (mine, refiner or bullion trader)
Primary lawREGR s.7 exempts exports covered by a written arrangement under which the other country collects the data as imports and shares it; D20-1-1 para 25 applies it to non-restricted goods to the US and para 76 names the Memorandum of Agreement on the Exchange of Import Data between Canada and the United States. Consequence for routes: a Canada-to-US shipment carries no Canadian export declaration to fulfil ref.dk-export-declaration.
Reporting of Exported Goods Regulations, s.7
- 20
Carrier obtains the proof of report number from the exporter and flies the bars or doré under air waybill with bar list
- Who
- Secure precious-metals carrier / airline
- Needs
- CERS export declaration and proof of report number; Bar list of refined bars (GD 400 oz, 100 oz, kilobars)
- Issues
- Air waybill
Official guidance
Taxes and fees
British Columbia mineral tax
2% of net current proceeds plus 13% of net revenue exceeding the cumulative tax credit account (and related amounts); placer gold mines 0.5% of transaction value
Primary lawAmount not confirmedBC Mineral Tax Act, ss.2(1), 2.2
Export duty on gold
None identified
UnverifiedAmount not confirmedNorthwest Territories mining royalty
Lesser of 13% of the value of output and the Schedule 3 sum (0% on the first $10,000; 5% to $5m; rising 1 point per $5m band to 14% above $45m)
Primary lawAmount not confirmedNWT Mining Regulations, s.69, Schedule 3
Nunavut mining royalty
Lesser of 13% of the value of output and the schedule table (0% on the first $10,000; 5% to $5m; up to 14% above $45m)
Primary lawAmount not confirmedNunavut Mining Regulations, s.69
Ontario mining tax
10% (non-remote); 5% (remote mines) Output of Ontario mines (pit's-mouth value basis)
Primary lawAmount not confirmedOntario Mining Tax Act; Reg. 769, ss.3, 3.1, 3.2
Quebec mining tax (greater of profit tax and minimum tax)
Greater of: mining tax on annual profit at 16% (portion of profit margin up to 35%), 22% (35% to 50%) and 28% (above 50%); and minimum mining tax of 1% of mine-mouth output value up to the reduced-rate amount ($80,000,000 for an operator not in an associated group) plus 4% above
Primary lawAmount not confirmedQuebec Mining Tax Act, ss.5, 29.1-29.3, 30.1, 30.2
Yukon quartz mining royalty
Graduated on value of output after deductions: none on the first $10,000, from 3% up to 12% above $35m (as summarised)
UnverifiedAmount not confirmed
Controls
S.C. 2026, c. 4 (Bill C-12, royal assent 26 Mar 2026) amended the PCMLTFA and the AMP Regulations: penalty ranges per violation $1 to $40,000 (minor), $1 to $4,000,000 (serious) and $1 to $20,000,000 (very serious) (AMP Regulations s.5, as amended by s.118), subject to the Act's maxima of $4,000,000…
Primary lawPCMLTFA and PCMLTF AMP Regulations as amended by S.C. 2026, c. 4, Act ss.9.6(1.1), 73.1; SOR/2007-292 s.5
CBSA officers may enter premises where goods destined for export are reported, loaded or stored and examine them (Customs Act ss.97.01-97.02, added by S.C. 2026, c. 4, Part 1).
Primary lawCustoms Act, ss.97.01, 97.02
Extractive entities (listed in Canada, or meeting two of $20m assets, $40m revenue, 250 employees) must report and publish payments of $100,000 or more per category per payee to governments in Canada and abroad within 150 days after year end; keep records 7 years; fine up to $250,000 (ESTMA ss.8, 9,…
Primary lawExtractive Sector Transparency Measures Act, ss.8, 9, 13, 24
A DPMS receiving $10,000 or more in cash in a single transaction must file a large cash transaction report (unless from a financial entity or public body); amounts received within 24 consecutive hours from or for the same person are aggregated.
$10,000 cash
Primary lawAmount not confirmedPCMLTF Regulations, ss.66, 126
No exchange control or export-proceeds repatriation requirement identified.
UnverifiedSince 2025 the Ontario Minister may suspend MLAS access, prohibit or terminate prospector's licences, deny leases and (with Lieutenant Governor in Council approval) cancel claims or terminate leases for the protection of the strategic national mineral supply chain.
Primary lawOntario Mining Act, ss.4.1(8)-(14), 26.1, 81(1.1), 176.1
No legal cap on cash payments for gold is in force. Bill C-2 (Strong Borders Act, first reading 3 Jun 2025) Part 11 would add PCMLTFA s.77.5 making it an offence for a person or entity engaged in a business to accept a cash payment, donation or deposit of $10,000 or more (single or prescribed relate…
$10,000 (proposed)
Primary lawAmount not confirmedBill C-2 (not enacted), proposed PCMLTFA s.77.5
Travellers must declare currency or monetary instruments of CAN$10,000 or more; gold bullion is not a monetary instrument and moves as goods through customs.
CAN$10,000
Primary lawAmount not confirmedCross-border Currency and Monetary Instruments Reporting Regulations, ss.1, 2
Dealers in precious metals and precious stones are PCMLTFA reporting entities for purchases or sales of $10,000 or more (compliance program, KYC, beneficial ownership, PEPs, records kept at least five years, STR, LCTR, LVCTR, listed-person property and sanctions-evasion reports). Excluded: purchases…
$10,000 per purchase or sale
Primary lawAmount not confirmedPCMLTF Regulations, ss.1(2), 65, 148
Export reporting (not licensing): non-monetary gold must be declared through CERS/G7 EDI when worth CAD 2,000+ and going anywhere but the US; exports to the US of non-restricted goods are exempt.
CAD 2,000; US destinations exempt
Primary lawAmount not confirmedCustoms Act s.95; Reporting of Exported Goods Regulations, REGR ss.3, 6(b), 7
Tariff item 9897.00.00 prohibits importation of "Goods manufactured or produced wholly or in part by prison labour" and "Goods mined, manufactured or produced wholly or in part by forced labour or child labour as those terms are defined in section 2 of the Fighting Against Forced Labour and Child La…
Primary lawCustoms Tariff, Schedule, tariff item 9897.00.00
Canada hosts three LBMA Good Delivery gold refiners: Royal Canadian Mint (Ottawa, listed ~1919), CCR Refinery - Glencore Canada Corporation (Montreal East, ~1956) and Asahi Refining Canada Limited (Brampton, 15/06/1961). Output is accepted in London; Asahi and the Mint also state COMEX acceptance.
StandardGold is not on the Export Control List: no export permit, licence or state approval is required to export gold, and no state buyer or export monopoly exists.
Primary lawExport and Import Permits Act; Export Control List, EIPA s.13; SOR/89-202
Every Ontario patent, lease or other disposition of lands, claims or mining rights is subject to the condition that "all ores or minerals raised or removed therefrom shall be treated and refined in Canada so as to yield refined metal or other product suitable for direct use in the arts without furth…
Primary lawOntario Mining Act, s.91
No person in Canada or Canadian abroad may export, sell, supply or ship unwrought (710812) or semi-manufactured (710813) gold, wherever situated, to Russia or to any person in Russia (Schedule 6 Part 1 items 176-177; also jewellery and other listed articles). Exception: personal effects.
Primary lawSpecial Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations, s.3.08, Schedule 6 Part 1 items 176-177
Persons in Canada and Canadians abroad may not import, purchase or acquire any Schedule 9 good from Russia or from any person in Russia: gold powder (710811), other unwrought (710812), semi-manufactured (710813), monetary gold (710820), jewellery (711319) and goldsmiths' wares (711419) of precious m…
Primary lawSpecial Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations, s.3.11, Schedule 9
No person in Canada or Canadian abroad may import, purchase or acquire Schedule 13 goods, wherever situated, from Russia or a person in Russia; Schedule 13 item 137 is heading 7112 (waste and scrap of precious metal). Added by SOR/2025-143.
Primary lawSpecial Economic Measures (Russia) Regulations, s.3.16, Schedule 13 item 137
Entities producing, selling or distributing goods, or importing goods, that are listed in Canada or meet two of $20m assets, $40m revenue, 250 employees must report to the Minister by May 31 each year on steps taken to prevent forced and child labour in their supply chains (S.C. 2023, c. 9, ss.2, 9,…
Primary lawFighting Against Forced Labour and Child Labour in Supply Chains Act, ss.9, 11
Leg 2: United Kingdom
On the way
- 21
Apply customer due diligence to the foreign seller before buying (identity, beneficial owner, purpose, risk assessment, sanctions/PEP screening)
- Who
- Bullion dealer / trader (importer of record, usually an LBMA member)
- Issues
- Supplier KYC pack received by the UK buyer; MLR customer due diligence file
Primary law[unconfirmed] Whether a non-bank wholesale bullion trader paid by wire is within the MLR at all (e.g. as a financial institution under reg 10) - consolidated MLR not held. [not-read] Reg 27 quoted via WebFetch; MLR not held.
Money Laundering Regulations 2017, reg 27
- 22
Establish that the gold is not Russian-origin gold exported from Russia on or after 21 Jul 2022, not relevant processed gold incorporating such gold, and not Russian gold jewellery exported on or after 29 Oct 2022; check where the goods were originally consigned or exported from; if Russian origin is possible, apply to DBT's Import Sanctions Team for a licence or contact it; declare document code 9022 (not subject to / exempt from sanctions) or 9011 (licence) on CDS and keep the evidence to produce on demand
- Who
- Bullion dealer / trader (importer of record, usually an LBMA member)
- Needs
- Export customs declaration accepted by the dispatching country's customs
- Issues
- Importer's Russia-sanctions origin evidence file
Primary law[inferred] The guidance and tariff do not list specific evidence documents; the required kinds are this module's inference.
Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 as amended by SI 2022/850 and SI 2022/1110, regs 46Z11, 46Z16B, 46Z16C
- 23
Fly the bars into the UK as valuable cargo (typically Heathrow) under an air waybill
- Who
- Secure valuables carrier
- Issues
- Air waybill, inbound valuables consignment
UnverifiedUK valuables-cargo handling not researched in this pass.
- 24
Submit a full import declaration on CDS (procedure code, commodity code 7108 12 00 00 for unwrought gold, DUCR, consignor/consignee, value, licences; EORI); declare sanctions document code 9022 or 9011; claim the investment-gold VAT exemption with additional code VATE where the bars are 995+ of a weight accepted by the bullion markets
- Who
- Customs agent / declarant using CDS software
- Needs
- EORI number of importer/exporter; Importer's Russia-sanctions origin evidence file; Air waybill, inbound valuables consignment; Air waybill; Commercial invoice; Bar list (serials, weights, fineness)
- Issues
- CDS full import declaration
Official guidance[conflict] gb.div-cpc-chief - VAT Notice 701/21 s.8.1 still gives CHIEF CPC 40 00 073; the tariff (28 Sep 2026) shows the exemption as additional code VATE. [not-read] The CDS procedure code and DE 1/10-1/11 entries for investment gold not read (UK Trade Tariff Vol. 3 listed in gb-fetch.tsv).
- 25
Account for import VAT: exempt for investment gold (additional code VATE); 20% standard rate (code 03020) on non-investment gold (dore, grain, scrap, sub-995 bars, non-qualifying coins); customs duty 0.00% (third-country rate on 7108 12, S.I. 2020/1430)
- Who
- Bullion dealer / trader (importer of record, usually an LBMA member)
- Needs
- CDS full import declaration
Official guidanceVAT Act 1994 Sch 9 Group 15; VAT Notice 701/21, Notice s8.1, s10.7
- 26
Clear the goods (CDS message when cleared), or ask for supporting documents for a customs check; for 7108 the Russia/Belarus measures read "Import allowed after control"; HMRC enforces trade sanctions at the border
- Who
- HMRC (customs and VAT authority)
- Needs
- CDS full import declaration
- Issues
- CDS clearance notification (goods released)
Official guidance - 27
Give the custodian written notice of the deposit (amount, Availability Date, and the carrier and packing for physical delivery, or the source account for book-entry); advise the vault manager of the vehicle registration and driver's identity
- Who
- Bullion dealer / trader (importer of record, usually an LBMA member)
- Needs
- CDS clearance notification (goods released)
- Issues
- Deposit notice to London custodian
StandardLPMCL Allocated Account Agreement; LBMA Good Delivery Rules, Allocated cl. 3.3 (Unallocated cl. 3.2); GD Rules Annex B s.2
- 28
Weigh the bars under the London weighing procedures (the receiving party may charge for weighing if not weighed by an Approved Weigher) and produce the machine-readable, dated weight list stating whether an Approved Weigher weighed the metal; a copy travels with the bars
- Who
- LBMA Approved Weigher
- Issues
- Machine-readable LBMA weight list accompanying the delivery (dated, approved-weigher status)
StandardLBMA Good Delivery Rules, Annex B
- 29
Receive bars on pallets; before crediting, verify compliance with the Rules and weigh them per LBMA practice against the notified amount; the vault manager may refuse bars not meeting Good Delivery standards and may ask LBMA to appoint independent inspectors
- Who
- London commercial vault / custodian (typically a clearing or custodian bank)
- Needs
- Deposit notice to London custodian; Machine-readable LBMA weight list accompanying the delivery (dated, approved-weigher status)
StandardLPMCL Allocated/Unallocated Account Agreements; LBMA Good Delivery Rules, Allocated cl. 3.1(b), 3.4, 3.5; Unallocated cl. 3.1(b), 3.3, 3.4; GD Rules 2.4 and Annex B
- 30
For bars of the six suspended Russian refiners: accept only bars produced while the refiner was listed and already in the loco London/Swiss markets before 7 Mar 2022; clearing banks attest conformity
- Who
- London commercial vault / custodian (typically a clearing or custodian bank)
- Needs
- Machine-readable LBMA weight list accompanying the delivery (dated, approved-weigher status)
StandardSeparately, UK law bans import of Russian gold exported from Russia on or after 21 Jul 2022. [unconfirmed] GD Rules 2026 s.1.4 says bars of a refiner moved to the Former List for sanctions reasons may lose Good Delivery status; LBMA's specific Russian-bars page keeps pre-7 Mar 2022 loco London/Swiss stocks as Good Delivery - the model follows the specific page.
LBMA Good Delivery List suspension notice (7 Mar 2022)
- 31
Credit the client: an allocated account (specific bars, title stays with client, weight list issued) or an unallocated account (a metal debt claim on the custodian); statements at least annually
- Who
- London commercial vault / custodian (typically a clearing or custodian bank)
- Needs
- Machine-readable LBMA weight list accompanying the delivery (dated, approved-weigher status)
- Issues
- Allocated weight list (bar number, gross weight, fineness, fine weight, brand) or unallocated balance statement
StandardLPMCL Account Agreements, Allocated cl. 2.3, 7.3 and Schedule (bar numbers, purity, gross and fine weight, brand); Unallocated cl. 1.1, 2.3, 3.3
- 32
Central-bank channel: hold Good Delivery bars in an allocated account at the Bank of England (off the Bank's balance sheet)
- Who
- Bank of England (gold custodian)
- Form
- LBMA Good Delivery 400oz bar → Monetary gold (central bank reserve)
Official guidanceMonetary state applies when held as reserves by a monetary authority.
- 33
Report month-end holdings to LBMA (London vault data) and, from Dec 2026, aggregated vault data into the Gold Bar Integrity database (bar-level reporting planned from 2027)
- Who
- London commercial vault / custodian (typically a clearing or custodian bank)
- Issues
- Custodian holdings return to LBMA (London vault data / GBI)
Standard - 34
Instruct withdrawal in writing: for allocated metal, bar serials (or the bank selects), amount and Withdrawal Date, received by the time in the agreement ("[2pm]" London time in the LPMCL template); unallocated metal is first allocated or delivered from bars the bank selects
- Who
- Bullion dealer / trader (importer of record, usually an LBMA member)
- Needs
- Allocated weight list (bar number, gross weight, fineness, fine weight, brand) or unallocated balance statement
- Issues
- Withdrawal / collection instruction to London custodian
StandardLPMCL Account Agreements, Allocated cl. 4.1, 4.2, 4.4; Unallocated cl. 3.5, 4.1, 4.2
- 35
Screen the buyer, its owners and the destination against the UK Sanctions List (asset freeze: no funds or economic resources to designated persons); no financial services for the gold or reserves of the Central Bank of Russia, National Wealth Fund or Ministry of Finance; for Russia or Belarus destinations, the tariff attaches export restrictions to 7108 12 (declare 9011 licence or 9022; C052/Y999 for the Russia export-control measure)
- Who
- Bullion dealer / trader (importer of record, usually an LBMA member)
- Needs
- MLR customer due diligence file
Official guidance[not-read] The tariff's "Restriction on export for Russia" on 7108 12 cites SI 2022/452 (the No. 8 amending Regulations) - not held, so which prohibition it implements for unwrought gold is not confirmed. The guidance's export list names no gold-specific export prohibition. The r1 claim of a ban on "making gold available to or for use in Russia" is withdrawn (the guidance does not list gold among the making-available prohibitions).
Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019; Republic of Belarus (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019
- 36
Release the bars to the carrier against the withdrawal instruction with a bar list; client bears cost and risk from collection
- Who
- London commercial vault / custodian (typically a clearing or custodian bank)
- Needs
- Withdrawal / collection instruction to London custodian
- Issues
- Bar list for bars leaving the London vault
StandardLPMCL Allocated Account Agreement, cl. 4.4
- 37
Submit a full export declaration on CDS before the goods leave (30 minutes before for air); no gold-specific export licence identified outside sanctions cases
- Who
- Customs agent / declarant using CDS software
- Needs
- EORI number of importer/exporter; Bar list for bars leaving the London vault
- Issues
- CDS full export declaration; Commercial invoice for the re-export
Official guidanceThe tariff (28 Sep 2026) shows UK export measures on 7108 12 only for Belarus, North Korea and Russia destinations and a supplementary unit (gram); no general export licence measure. 7108 13 page not held.
- 38
Fly the bars out under an air waybill; departure message confirms exit
- Who
- Secure valuables carrier
- Needs
- CDS full export declaration
- Issues
- Air waybill, outbound; CDS departure message (exit confirmation)
Official guidanceAWB practice not sourced.
- 39
Treat exported investment gold as outside the scope of UK VAT (input tax recoverable); hold export evidence (departure message or commercial evidence per VAT Notice 703)
- Who
- Bullion dealer / trader (importer of record, usually an LBMA member)
- Needs
- CDS departure message (exit confirmation)
Official guidanceWithout a departure message, commercial evidence under VAT Notice 703 s.7 may be used (export guidance); Notice 703 not held.
VAT Notice 701/21, s8.2
Taxes and fees
Customs duty on gold (UK Global Tariff)
0.00% (third-country duty on 7108 12 00 00; preferential rates also 0.00%) HS 7108 12 00 00 non-monetary gold, other unwrought forms (read); 7108 13 and 7112 91 not held
Official guidanceAmount not confirmedCustoms Tariff (Establishment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2020 (S.I. 2020/1430), as shown on the tariff
Import VAT on investment gold
Exempt Bars/wafers 995+ of a weight accepted by the bullion markets; qualifying coins
Official guidanceAmount not confirmedVAT Act 1994 Sch 9 Group 15; VAT Notice 701/21 s.8.1; UK tariff additional code VATE
Import VAT on non-investment gold
20% (standard rate; tariff code 03020) Doré, grain, scrap, bars below 995, non-qualifying coins
Official guidanceAmount not confirmedVAT Notice 701/21, s10.7
VAT exemption for supplies of investment gold (with option to tax)
Exempt Supplies of investment gold (incl. rights to it, unallocated gold, loans, swaps, forwards and futures; not options) and agents' services for them; not between an LBMA member and a taxable non-member (standard-rated, SAS)
Official guidanceAmount not confirmedVAT Act 1994 Sch 9 Group 15; VAT (Investment Gold) Order 1999
Special accounting scheme (reverse charge) for gold
20%, accounted for by the buyer Standard-rated B2B supplies between VAT-registered (or liable) persons: fine gold, gold grain, gold coins (not margin-scheme), gold-containing goods priced at no more than a negligible amount above the gold value, investment gold on which the option to tax is exercised or supplied between an LBMA member and a non-member, and treatment/processing services producing such gold (Notice 701/21 s.11.2)
Official guidanceAmount not confirmedVAT Act 1994 s.55 (named in VGOLD1700; statute not held)
Zero rate for London Bullion Market and central-bank gold transactions
0% Investment gold (incl. futures and options) between taxable LBMA members (TMO; Notice 701/9 s.3.2.4); gold, rights to or part interests in gold held in the UK between central banks or between a central bank and an LBM member (VATA Sch 8 Group 10; Notice 701/21 s.10.4). Not zero-rated: investment gold between an LBMA member and a taxable non-member (standard-rated, special accounting scheme); a futures contract between a member and a non-member that leads to physical delivery (Notice 701/9 s.3.3.2).
Official guidanceAmount not confirmedVAT (Terminal Markets) Order 1973 art. 2(2), (4) and arts 4-7; VATA 1994 s.50, Sch 8 Group 10
HMRC MLR registration and annual supervision fee
Not read
Official guidance
Controls
The UK tariff attaches to 7108 12 00 00 a "Restriction on entry into free circulation for Belarus" (from 30 Sep 2023; legal base SI 2023/616) and a "Restriction on export for Belarus" (legal base SI 2022/748): allowed with document code 9011 (DBT licence, GBSAN reference) or 9022 (not subject to / e…
Official guidanceRepublic of Belarus (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 as amended
A trader accepting or making a cash payment of GBP 10,000 or more for goods (single or linked) is a high value dealer: must register with HMRC first and apply CDD. Threshold changed from EUR 10,000 to GBP 10,000 with effect from 30 Jun 2026.
GBP 10,000 cash (EUR 10,000 before 30 Jun 2026)
Primary lawAmount not confirmedMLR 2017 as amended by SI 2026/621, regs 14, 27(3); SI 2026/621 reg 9
Regulated firms apply CDD on a business relationship, a transfer of funds over GBP 800, an occasional transaction of GBP 12,000+ (HVDs: cash GBP 10,000+), suspicion or doubt; EDD for PEPs, non-face-to-face and FATF call-for-action countries (reg 33 as amended 30 Jun 2026); keep records 5 years; nomi…
Occasional transactions GBP 12,000 (general); GBP 10,000 cash (HVD); transfer of funds GBP 800 (from 30 Jun 2026; previously 15,000 / 10,000 / 1,000 euros)
Primary lawAmount not confirmedMLR 2017, reg 27
The import into the United Kingdom of gold originating from Russia is prohibited where it was exported from Russia on or after the relevant day. The ban goes by origin, so it applies whichever country the gold is shipped from.
Primary lawThe Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) (Amendment) (No. 14) Regulations 2022, inserting reg 46Z11 into SI 2019/855, reg 46Z11(1)
“The import of gold originating from Russia is prohibited, where that gold has been exported from Russia on or after the relevant day.”
No Great Britain statute imposing CAHRA/OECD due diligence on gold importers was found. Responsible-sourcing duties in London come from the LBMA (RGG mandatory for Good Delivery refiners since 2012; annual audit; Incident Review Process) and the GBI country-of-origin reporting (monthly, mandatory fr…
StandardLBMA Responsible Gold Guidance / Good Delivery Rules
UK persons may not provide financial services for foreign exchange reserve and asset management to the Central Bank of Russia, the National Wealth Fund or the Russian Ministry of Finance (or persons owned, controlled or acting for them); the reserves include bullion such as gold - "it is prohibited …
Official guidanceRussia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, reg 18A (as named in the statutory guidance)
Only Good Delivery bars settle loco London: 350-430 fine troy oz, minimum 995.0 fineness, marks = refiner stamp, assay mark, fineness, serial number (max 11 digits or characters), month and year of manufacture (MMYY, since Jan 2019); no laser engraving. Vault managers have complete discretion and an…
StandardLBMA Good Delivery Rules 2026; LPMCL account agreements, GD Rules 2.1.5, 2.1.7, 2.4
The Hallmarking Act 1973 regulates describing articles as gold; Schedule 1 Part II exempts "Any raw material (including any bar, plate, sheet, foil, rod, wire, strip or tube) or bullion" (para 7) and coins that are or were current coin of the UK or any other territory (para 3). Bullion bars and lega…
Primary lawHallmarking Act 1973
Dealers in exempt investment gold must identify customers (one List 1 and one List 2 document), issue invoices with prescribed details, keep records at least 6 years and notify HMRC within 28 days when an exempt supply first exceeds GBP 5,000 or supplies to one customer exceed GBP 10,000 in 12 month…
GBP 5,000 per supply / GBP 10,000 per customer per 12 months
Primary lawAmount not confirmedVAT Regulations 1995; VAT tertiary legislation, reg 31A
LBMA suspended six Russian refiners (Krastsvetmet, Novosibirsk, Uralelectromed, Moscow Special Alloys, Prioksky, Shyolkovsky) from the Good Delivery List on 7 Mar 2022; their bars made from that date are not Good Delivery; stocks already in loco London/Swiss before then remain Good Delivery.
StandardLBMA Good Delivery List
Import of gold originating in Russia that was exported from Russia on or after 21 Jul 2022 is prohibited (reg 46Z11); so are acquiring gold that originated in and is located in Russia with the intention that it enter the UK (46Z12), supplying or delivering gold that originated in Russia on or after …
none
Primary lawRussia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 as amended by SI 2022/850, regs 46Z11-46Z16; Sch 3G
Import of relevant processed gold - gold processed (altered, transformed or otherwise operated on) in a third country that incorporates gold which on or after 21 Jul 2022 originated in and was exported from Russia - is prohibited (46Z16C), as is import of gold jewellery (Sch 3G Part 3) originating i…
Primary lawSI 2022/1110 (Chapter 4JA), regs 46Z16B, 46Z16C, 46Z16D-46Z16I
All smuggled gold may be liable to forfeiture under the Customs and Excise Management Act 1979, even in the hands of an innocent buyer; HMRC advises buyers to check where the gold came from, whether it was declared at import with import VAT paid, and warning signs (below-market price, quick settleme…
Official guidanceCustoms and Excise Management Act 1979; VAT Notice 701/21 s.14
Leg 3: United States
Where the goods arrive
- 40
Screen the supplier and the gold: KYC, OFAC sanctions lists, and confirm the gold is not of Russian Federation origin (unless it was outside Russia before 28 June 2022); apply CAHRA red flags from the 2023 Africa Gold Advisory
- Who
- Importer of record (bullion bank, trader, refiner or dealer)
- Needs
- Commercial invoice; Bar list (serials, weights, fineness)
- Issues
- Importer's supplier KYC and OFAC / Russian-origin screening file
Primary lawE.O. 14068; OFAC Determination (effective 28 Jun 2022, amended 22 Dec 2023), E.O. 14068 s.1(a)(i); determination under s.1(a)(i)(A), 1(b) and 5; delegation 31 CFR 587.802
- 41
File entry (CBP Form 3461 or electronic equivalent) with evidence of the right to make entry, commercial invoice and packing list, and the entry summary (CBP Form 7501) classifying the gold under HTSUS 7108 with country of origin; deposit any duty (heading 7108 free except 4.1% on 7108.12.50 and 7108.13.70 for non-preference origins) and the 0.3464% merchandise processing fee; shipments of $2,500 or less may use informal entry
- Who
- Licensed customs broker
- Needs
- Importer's supplier KYC and OFAC / Russian-origin screening file; Commercial invoice; Packing list; Air waybill
- Issues
- CBP Form 3461 entry / immediate delivery (or ACE electronic equivalent); CBP Form 7501 entry summary (HTSUS classification, origin, duties and fees)
Primary law19 CFR 142.3; 19 CFR 143.21; 19 CFR 24.23; HTSUS 7108
- 42
Review, examine if selected, and release the goods; CBP enforces the Russian-origin gold ban and any withhold release order on gold made with forced labour
- Who
- US Customs and Border Protection
- Needs
- CBP Form 3461 entry / immediate delivery (or ACE electronic equivalent)
- Issues
- CBP release of entered goods (ACE cargo release)
Primary law19 CFR 142.3; E.O. 14068 gold determination; 19 U.S.C. 1307 and 19 CFR 12.42
- 43
Deliver released gold directly to the refinery or to a COMEX-approved depository (for COMEX, bars must come directly from an approved producer or assayer with certificates, or from another depository)
- Who
- Secure logistics carrier (armoured / valuables; COMEX-approved carrier where relevant)
- Needs
- CBP release of entered goods (ACE cargo release)
- Issues
- Delivery record airport to refinery or depository
Standard - 44
Deliver bars into a COMEX-approved depository directly from the approved producer with refiner certificates, from an approved assayer with assay certificates, or from another approved depository
- Who
- Secure logistics carrier (armoured / valuables; COMEX-approved carrier where relevant)
- Needs
- Refiner certificate for bars produced (brand, serial, weight, fineness)
- Issues
- Chain-of-integrity receipt at depository
Standard - 45
Inspect and weigh the bars and record them as eligible stock
- Who
- COMEX-approved depository / bullion vault
- Needs
- Chain-of-integrity receipt at depository; Bar list (serials, weights, fineness)
- Issues
- Depository inspection, weight record and eligible-stock entry
Standard - 46
Issue an electronic warrant in the name of the clearing member, referencing bar serials and the approved producer; the metal becomes registered (deliverable) stock
- Who
- COMEX-approved depository / bullion vault
- Needs
- Depository inspection, weight record and eligible-stock entry
- Issues
- COMEX gold warrant (electronic UCC Article 7 document of title)
StandardCOMEX Rulebook; UCC Article 7, Rule 705.A; 113108
- 47
Report eligible, pledged and registered stocks to the exchange registrar daily by 2:00 p.m.
- Who
- COMEX-approved depository / bullion vault
Standard - 48
Optionally pledge the warrant to CME as collateral (title to CME, first-priority security interest, 15% haircut)
- Who
- Futures clearing member / bullion bank
- Needs
- COMEX gold warrant (electronic UCC Article 7 document of title)
Standard - 49
Apply the AML program to the customer or supplier: risk-based due diligence, sanctions screening, extra scrutiny of foreign suppliers and purchases from the public
- Who
- Dealer in precious metals (31 CFR 1027 'dealer')
- Issues
- Dealer customer due diligence and sanctions-screening file
Primary law31 CFR 1027, 1027.210
- 50
File Form 8300 within 15 days when more than $10,000 in currency (or designated monetary instruments) is received in one or related transactions; give the payer a statement by 31 January; keep a copy 5 years
- Who
- Dealer in precious metals (31 CFR 1027 'dealer')
- Needs
- Dealer customer due diligence and sanctions-screening file
- Issues
- IRS/FinCEN Form 8300 - report of cash payments over $10,000 received in a trade or business
Primary law31 CFR 1010.330; 26 USC 6050I, 1010.330(a)(1)(i), (b)(1), (e)(3)
- 51
File a suspicious activity report where warranted (voluntary for dealers; no mandatory dealer SAR rule)
- Who
- Dealer in precious metals (31 CFR 1027 'dealer')
- Needs
- Dealer customer due diligence and sanctions-screening file
- Issues
- Suspicious activity report (voluntary for dealers)
Official guidanceThe dealer part of the SAR rules is reserved ("§§ 1027.310-1027.320 [Reserved]"); the Africa Gold Advisory says dealers "may voluntarily file" SARs.
Taxes and fees
Customs duty on gold (HTSUS 7108)
Column 1 general: Free on 7108.11.00 (powder), 7108.12.10 (bullion and dore), 7108.13.10 (gold leaf), 7108.13.55 (rectangular or near-rectangular shapes of 99.5%+ gold marked only with weight, purity or other identifying information), 7108.20.00 (monetary); 4.1% on 7108.12.50 (other unwrought) and 7108.13.70 (other semi-manufactured), Free for special programmes A, AU, BH, CL, CO, D, E, IL, JO, KR, MA, OM, P, PA, PE, S, SG (General Note 3(c)(i): e.g. S = USMCA, PE = Peru TPA, CO = Colombia TPA, AU = Australia FTA, CL = Chile FTA, SG = Singapore FTA, A = GSP, D = AGOA). Column 2: 65% on 7108.12.50 and 7108.13.70, 8% on gold leaf, Free on the others (7108.13.55 footnoted "See 9903.90.08") All imports of gold
Primary lawAmount not confirmedHTSUS (Revision 19, 2026), heading 7108
Nevada gold and silver excise tax
0.75% of Nevada gross revenue above $20,000,000 up to $150,000,000 (i.e. $975,000 at $150m) plus 1.1% of the excess over $150,000,000; nothing due if $20,000,000 or less
Official guidanceAmount not confirmedNRS 363D (per Department of Taxation form EXC-F029), NRS 363D.160 (as cited by the Department)
IEEPA reciprocal tariff (E.O. 14257) - ended February 2026; gold bullion exempt throughout, other 7108 lines exempt from 8 Sep 2025
10% on all imports from 12:01 a.m. EDT 5 Apr 2025 (E.O. 14257 s.3(a)) plus country-specific rates from 9 Apr 2025 as modified; goods in Annex II excepted 7108.12.10 (bullion and dore) was already in Annex II; E.O. 14346 Annex II (FR 43788-43789) marks 7108.11.00, 7108.12.50, 7108.13.10, 7108.13.55, 7108.13.70 and 7108.20.00 as "Addition" for goods entered from 12:01 a.m. EDT 8 Sep 2025. Before that, cast kilobars and 100 oz bars classified in 7108.13.5500 paid the additional duty (CBP ruling N351466: "subject to an additional 10 percent ad valorem rate of duty").
Primary lawAmount not confirmedE.O. 14257 as modified by E.O. 14346 (IEEPA); ended by E.O. 14389
Additional duty on Russian products (9903.90.08)
35% ad valorem in lieu of column 2 rates Products of Russia in U.S. note 30(b); of heading 7108 only 7108.13.55 is listed. Moot for gold: its import is prohibited (us.ctl-russia-gold-ban)
Primary lawAmount not confirmedHTSUS chapter 99, 9903.90.08
Section 122 temporary import surcharge (Proclamation 11012) - gold excepted
10% ad valorem on articles of any country (heading 9903.03.01), in addition to other duties; not applied to the goods listed in U.S. note 2(aa)(ii) (heading 9903.03.03), which include every 7108 subheading: 7108.11.00, 7108.12.10, 7108.12.50, 7108.13.10, 7108.13.55, 7108.13.70, 7108.20.00 Gold of HTSUS 7108 excepted ("metals used in currency and bullion", Proc. 11012 para. 14(b); Annex I para. 2; Annex II)
Primary lawAmount not confirmedTrade Act of 1974 s.122 (19 U.S.C. 2132); Proclamation 11012; HTSUS U.S. note 2(aa), subchapter III, chapter 99, 9903.03.01; 9903.03.03; note 2(aa)(ii)
Section 301 forced-labor tariffs on 60 economies (USTR, from 24 Jul 2026) - gold excluded
Additional 10% or 12.5% ad valorem depending on the economy (headings 9903.05.20-9903.05.84), e.g. Canada 10% (9903.05.29), Mexico 10% (9903.05.55), United Kingdom 10% (9903.05.81), Peru 12.5% (9903.05.63), Colombia 12.5% (9903.05.32), United Arab Emirates 12.5% (9903.05.80), Switzerland: for goods whose column-1 rate is under 12.5%, column-1 rate plus additional duty totalling 12.5% (9903.05.74; note 52(k)); the same top-up method applies to the EU, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan headings; not applied to articles in U.S. note 52(b) (heading 9903.05.86), which lists 7108.11.00, 7108.12.10, 7108.12.50, 7108.13.10, 7108.13.55, 7108.13.70 and 7108.20.00 All HTSUS 7108 gold excluded; applies to other products of the listed economies
Primary lawAmount not confirmedTrade Act of 1974 s.301 (19 U.S.C. 2411); USTR notice FR Doc. 2026-15181; HTSUS U.S. note 52, subchapter III, chapter 99, 9903.05.20-9903.05.84; 9903.05.86; note 52(b)
VAT / sales tax on gold
No federal VAT or import VAT; state sales taxes vary - about 33 states exempt investment bullion or have no sales tax (Mar 2026) Bullion sales to end buyers
SecondaryBLM mining claim fees
$49 location fee and $200 initial maintenance fee per new lode claim, mill site or tunnel site; $200 annual maintenance fee (placer: per 20 acres or portion) due on or before 1 September; processing fees per 43 CFR 3000.12 ($25 per new claim on the BLM page)
Primary lawAmount not confirmed30 U.S.C. 28f; 43 CFR 3830.21, 43 CFR 3830.21(a), (d)
Merchandise processing fee
0.3464% ad valorem on formal entries (19 CFR 24.23(b)(1)(i)(A)); minimum/maximum per entry $33.58/$651.50 for fiscal year 2026 (1 Oct 2025-30 Sep 2026, CBP Dec. 25-10) and $34.58/$670.86 from 1 Oct 2026 (FY2027 notice); base amounts $25/$485 CPI-adjusted; informal entries a flat fee (base $2-$9)
Primary lawAmount not confirmed19 CFR 24.23, 24.23(b)(1)(i), (b)(2)
Controls
Beneficial ownership reporting under the Corporate Transparency Act applies only to a "reporting company" defined as an entity "(A) A corporation, limited liability company, or other entity; (B) Formed under the law of a foreign country; and (C) Registered to do business in any State or tribal juris…
Primary law31 CFR 1010.380, 1010.380(a)(1), (c)(1)(ii)
Any trade or business receiving more than $10,000 in currency in one or related transactions must file Form 8300 within 15 days. There is no cash ceiling, only reporting.
> $10,000 cash
Primary lawAmount not confirmed31 CFR 1010.330; 26 USC 6050I, 1010.330(a)(1)(i)
Gold bullion is not a 'monetary instrument' under the BSA, so the cross-border currency report (CMIR) does not apply to gold carried or shipped across the border; customs entry and EEI are the only declarations.
Primary law31 CFR 1010.340; 31 CFR 1010.100(dd), 1010.340(a); 1010.100(dd)
COMEX gold delivery: one 100 oz bar or three 1 kg bars, weight tolerance 5%, minimum 995 fineness, approved brand from an approved producer complying with LBMA RGG, held in an approved depository reached through the chain of integrity.
StandardCOMEX Rulebook, 113101; Rules 703.A, 705.A
SEC-reporting issuers that manufacture or contract to manufacture products in which gold is necessary must "conduct in good faith a reasonable country of origin inquiry" (Form SD Item 1.01(a)); if they know or have reason to believe the gold may come from the DRC or an adjoining country and may not …
Primary lawDodd-Frank s.1502; Exchange Act Rule 13p-1; Form SD (as adopted 2012), 17 CFR 240.13p-1; Form SD Items 1.01-1.02
Dealers in precious metals (gold of 500+ fineness among covered goods) must keep a written risk-based AML program with compliance officer, training and independent testing; retailers are covered only if they buy over $50,000 from non-dealers.
Purchased > $50,000 and sold > $50,000 of covered goods in the prior year
Primary lawAmount not confirmed31 CFR 1027, 1027.100, 1027.210
HS 710812 and 710813 (non-monetary gold, unwrought other than powder, and semi-manufactured) are listed EAR 'luxury goods': "A license is required to export, reexport, or transfer (in-country) any item subject to the EAR listed in supplement no. 5 to this part to or within Russia or Belarus" (746.8(…
Primary lawEAR 15 CFR 746.8(a)(7), (b)(3); Supplement No. 5 to Part 746, 746.8(a)(7)
Goods "mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part in any foreign country by convict labor or/and forced labor or/and indentured labor under penal sanctions shall not be entitled to entry" (19 U.S.C. 1307). Where information "reasonably but not conclusively indicates" such merchandise is bein…
Primary lawTariff Act of 1930 s.307 (19 U.S.C. 1307); 19 CFR 12.42, 19 U.S.C. 1307; 19 CFR 12.42(e)-(h)
US persons may not deal with SDN-listed parties; the 2023 multi-agency Africa Gold Advisory flags Wagner-linked gold from CAR and Sudan and conflict gold from Mali and Burkina Faso, warning of designation and penalties.
Official guidanceIEEPA-based OFAC programs
Historical (2025 - Feb 2026): E.O. 14257 imposed an additional 10% on all imports from 5 Apr 2025 and country rates from 9 Apr 2025, with Annex II exceptions that from the start included 7108.12.10 (bullion and dore). CBP ruling N351466 (31 Jul 2025) classified cast 1 kg and 100 oz bars from Switzer…
Primary lawE.O. 14257; E.O. 14346; E.O. 14389; Proclamation 11012; HTSUS U.S. notes 2(aa) and 52
Import into the US of gold of Russian Federation origin is prohibited unless licensed by OFAC; gold of Russian origin located outside Russia before 28 June 2022 is excluded.
Primary lawE.O. 14068 as amended by E.O. 14114; OFAC Determination (effective 28 Jun 2022, amended 22 Dec 2023), E.O. 14068 s.1(a)(i)(A) (as amended by E.O. 14114 s.3(a)); delegation 31 CFR 587.802
Leg 4: Canada
Back in the origin country: the proceeds of the export
- 52
Buy refined bars from the refiner (zero-rated first supply) or from another holder (exempt resale); non-qualifying forms (granules, below 99.5%) are taxable
- Who
- Bullion dealer (dealer in precious metals and precious stones)
- Issues
- Invoice for sale of refined bars (zero-rated first supply by the refiner / exempt resale)
Primary lawExcise Tax Act, s.123(1); Sched VI Part IX s.3
- 53
Identify the counterparty and keep the $10,000+ record; report cash of $10,000+ (LCTR), virtual currency (LVCTR), suspicious or sanctions-evasion activity
- Who
- Bullion dealer (dealer in precious metals and precious stones)
- Issues
- Record of $10,000+ purchase or sale and client identification; Large cash transaction report; Large virtual currency transaction report; Suspicious transaction report
Primary lawPCMLTF Regulations, ss.65, 66, 126, 148
- 54
Settle by bank wire or by transfer between metal accounts (e.g. at the Royal Canadian Mint); no foreign-exchange surrender or repatriation step
- Who
- Canadian bank (bullion desk / payments)
- Issues
- Settlement confirmation / metal-account transfer
Industry practiceAbsence of exchange control is background knowledge; no official statement was read.
Crossings between countries
Canada → United Kingdom Researched
Papers that cross: Ontario prospector's licence; Registered mining claim (MLAS); Registered exclusive exploration right (Quebec); Mining lease; Filed closure plan with financial assurance; Doré bar number and mine weight/assay record; Refining (toll) agreement, mine - Canadian refiner; Refiner outturn assay and settlement statement; Bar list of refined bars (GD 400 oz, 100 oz, kilobars); CERS export declaration and proof of report number; Air waybill
United Kingdom → United States Not researched
Papers that cross: Air waybill, inbound valuables consignment; CDS full import declaration; CDS clearance notification (goods released); Machine-readable LBMA weight list accompanying the delivery (dated, approved-weigher status); CDS full export declaration; Commercial invoice for the re-export; Air waybill, outbound; CDS departure message (exit confirmation)
Paperwork gaps
us.st-21 expects Packing list; the earlier legs don't model this paper