Tanzania [Licensed dealer or mineral right holder (non-resident special permit as a variant)] → Switzerland → Russian Federation → 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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Tanzania (Doré bar - unstamped → Doré bar - stamped/exporter-sealed) ⟶ Switzerland (Doré bar - stamped/exporter-sealed) ⟶ Russia (Doré bar - stamped/exporter-sealed) ⟶ United Arab Emirates (Doré bar - stamped/exporter-sealed)

Not researched: Tanzania → Switzerland, Switzerland → Russia

Leg 1: Tanzania

Where the goods start

Doré bar - unstamped → Doré bar - stamped/exporter-sealed

1
Before export, deliver the set-aside share to a designated refinery for sale to the BoT; the Resident Mines Officer verifies royalty paid (4% on the set-aside sold to the BoT, 6% on the rest) before export; issue the commercial invoice to the foreign buyer
Who
Licensed mineral dealer (exporter)
Needs
Dealer Licence (Form MTF.6); Evidence of set-aside compliance (sale of the set-aside to the BoT through a designated refinery, or to a domestic refinery after a BoT notice that it will not buy)
Issues
Exporter's commercial invoice to foreign buyer/refiner
Official guidance
[not-read] That no export permit issues without set-aside evidence is stated by VELMA Law from the 2024 regulations, which are not held; the guideline requires royalty verification before export.
- Mining Act s.69 as replaced by Finance Act 2024 s.57; Commission guideline on gold purchase (Aug 2024)
2
Assay and value the consignment to fix the gross value for royalty
Who
Mining Commission (incl. Resident Mines Officer)
Issues
Mining Commission sorting, assay and valuation record
Primary law
- Mining Act Cap. 123 R.E. 2019; Act No. 12 of 2024, s.100B (valuation); gross value definition
3
Pay royalty (6% of gross value; 4% on gold sold at refinery centres or to the BoT), the 1% inspection fee and the 0.1% HIV Response Levy
Who
Licensed mineral dealer (exporter)
Needs
Mining Commission sorting, assay and valuation record
Issues
Royalty, inspection fee and HIV levy receipt before export
Primary law
- Mining Act Cap. 123 R.E. 2023 as amended, s.111(1)(c)-(d); s.87(1)(e) added by Finance Act 2024 (old numbering); s.115; s.113A
4
Apply for a permit to export minerals on Form MTF.1 with the application fee
Who
Licensed mineral dealer (exporter)
Needs
Dealer Licence (Form MTF.6); Royalty, inspection fee and HIV levy receipt before export; Exporter's commercial invoice to foreign buyer/refiner
Issues
Application for permit to export minerals (Form MTF.1)
Primary law
[conflict] tz.div-gn-number-2019 (GN number only; the fee text is identical).
- Trading Regulations 2018, regs 3(1), 5(1); First Schedule item (i) as substituted by GN 45 of 2018 and GN 289 of 2019
5
Mines Resident Officer examines and weighs the gold and packs it in sealed containers
Who
Mining Commission (incl. Resident Mines Officer)
Needs
Application for permit to export minerals (Form MTF.1)
Issues
Examination, weighing and sealing of containers by Mines Resident Officer (reg 5(2)); Packing list
Form
Doré bar - unstamped → Doré bar - stamped/exporter-sealed
Primary law
- Trading Regulations 2018, reg 5(2)
6
Issue the export permit (Form MTF.2) certifying royalty and inspection fees paid
Who
Mining Commission (incl. Resident Mines Officer)
Needs
Examination, weighing and sealing of containers by Mines Resident Officer (reg 5(2)); Royalty, inspection fee and HIV levy receipt before export
Issues
Permit to export minerals (Form MTF.2)
Primary law
- Mining Act s.19(3) (R.E. 2023; s.18(3) R.E. 2019); Trading Regulations 2018, regs 3, 5(1), 5(3)
7
Non-resident buyer applies on Form MTF.13 for a special export permit (Form MTF.14); at most two a year
Who
Non-resident buyer exporting minerals
Issues
Special export permit for non-resident (Form MTF.14)
Primary law
- Trading Regulations 2018, reg 16
8
Apply (Form DMTF.2) for and obtain the ICGLR Regional Certificate (Form DMTF.3) for the gold consignment; the certificate is valid for 30 days and the consignment is sealed
Who
Licensed mineral dealer (exporter)
Issues
ICGLR Regional Certificate for designated minerals (Form DMTF.3)
Primary law
[conflict] tz.div-icglr-gold: the Commission export page lists the ICGLR certificate for tin, tantalum and tungsten only.
- Mining (Designated Minerals Certification) Regulations 2019, regs 13(1), 14, 15
9
Lodge and clear the customs export declaration; the exporter surrenders the export permit to the customs officer, who returns it to the issuing authority
Who
Tanzania Revenue Authority - Customs
Needs
Permit to export minerals (Form MTF.2); ICGLR Regional Certificate for designated minerals (Form DMTF.3); Exporter's commercial invoice to foreign buyer/refiner; Packing list
Issues
Customs export declaration (TRA)
Primary law
[unconfirmed] Customs procedure code and TANCIS entry type for gold not documented in any text held. [inferred] Gold is a restricted export under EACCMA Third Schedule Part B para 1(a) because its export is regulated by the Mining Act.
- EAC Customs Management Act 2004 (rev. 2019); Trading Regulations 2018, s.73; reg 5(4)
10
Secure transport to the airport and airline acceptance as valuable cargo
Who
Secure logistics provider / airline
Needs
Customs export declaration (TRA); Permit to export minerals (Form MTF.2)
Issues
Air waybill; Consignment Security Declaration
Unverified
[inferred] Airline acceptance (AWB, CSD) from standard air-cargo practice; no Tanzanian text on airport handling of gold beyond the Commission checks.

Taxes and fees

Inspection fee (clearance and inspection fee)
1% All minerals; not salt producers and refineries (s.115(5)); not a person selling gold to the BoT (s.90A(5) as amended by Finance Act 2024 s.61); the Commission rates page also excludes gold sold to refinery centres
Primary lawAmount not confirmed
- Mining Act Cap. 123 R.E. 2023 (s.90A R.E. 2019), s.115(3)-(5)
Mineral royalty on gold
6% Gold produced, sold or exported, except the reduced rates in tz.tax-royalty-refinery and tz.tax-royalty-bot
Primary lawAmount not confirmed
- Mining Act Cap. 123 R.E. 2023 (s.87(1)(c) R.E. 2019; rate raised from 4% to 6% by Act No. 7 of 2017 s.23), s.111(1)(c), (2); s.112(1)
Reduced royalty on gold sold to the Bank of Tanzania
4% Gold sold to the BoT
Primary lawAmount not confirmed
- Finance Act 2024 s.59 adding Mining Act s.87(1)(e) ("in the case of gold sold to the Bank of Tanzania, of four per centum"), s.87(1)(e) (R.E. 2019 numbering)
One third of royalty payable in refined gold to the National Gold and Gemstone Reserve
One third of the royalty due
Primary law
- Mining Act s.88(2) (Act No. 7 of 2017 s.24) and s.87(2) (Finance Act 2024 s.59), s.112(2) R.E. 2023; s.87(2) R.E. 2019 numbering
Reduced royalty on gold sold at refinery centres
4% Gold sold at refinery centres
Primary lawAmount not confirmed
- Finance Act 2022 s.87 adding Mining Act s.87(1)(d) (s.111(1)(d) R.E. 2023), s.111(1)(d)
Withholding tax on payments for precious metals to PML holders and artisanal miners
Not in the texts held (Clyde & Co reports 2% final; Rive & Co 5%) Precious metals, gemstones and other precious stones supplied by a PML holder or artisanal miner
Primary lawAmount not confirmed
- Income Tax Act Cap. 332 R.E. 2023, s.106(1)(e); final withholding para (g); First Schedule para 4(c)
Export permit application fee
USD 100 or TZS 230,000 per application (salt USD 10 / TZS 20,000)
Primary lawAmount not confirmed
- Trading Regulations 2018, First Schedule item (i) as substituted by GN 45 of 2018 and GN 289 of 2019, First Schedule item (i)(a)
HIV Response Levy on minerals
0.1% All minerals
Primary lawAmount not confirmed
- Finance Act 2025 s.78 inserting Mining Act s.113A

Controls

Dealers in precious stones and metals are reporting persons under the AMLA (s.3): customer due diligence, records kept at least 10 years (s.17), suspicious transaction reports to the FIU within 24 hours (s.18). Tanzania was on the FATF grey list from October 2022 and was removed with effect from 13 …
Primary law
- Anti-Money Laundering Act Cap. 423 R.E. 2023, s.3; ss.17-18
Persons entering or leaving Tanzania with cash above USD 10,000 or equivalent must declare it (FX Regulations 2022 reg 4; AMLA s.25 and the cross-border declaration regulations).
USD 10,000
Primary lawAmount not confirmed
- Foreign Exchange Regulations 2022; Anti-Money Laundering Act, reg 4; s.25
A licensed dealer may keep minerals only at its licensed place of business, at a bank or in a safe deposit; offence: fine up to TZS 20 million or 1 year (reg 11).
Primary law
- Trading Regulations 2018, reg 11
Export only by a mineral right holder or licensed dealer that has paid royalty (or payment in lieu) and the inspection fee, or given security, holding a Commission export permit; goods examined, weighed and sealed by the Resident Mines Officer.
Primary law
- Mining Act s.19(3) (R.E. 2023); Trading Regulations 2018, regs 3, 5
Transactions at Mineral and Gem Houses clear only after deposit, payment of taxes and fulfilment of export conditions; a single buyer may take no more than 75% of minerals offered at an auction.
Primary law
- Mineral and Gem Houses Regulations 2019, regs 20(3), 31
Anyone who buys or disposes of minerals must do so at a Mineral and Gem House (mineral market) or Commission buying station; mining licence and special mining licence holders may sell at any market of choice. Trading outside: fine of three times the value of the mineral, confiscation and licence rev…
Primary law
- Mining Act s.27C (R.E. 2019; s.32 R.E. 2023); Mineral and Gem Houses Regulations 2019, s.27C(2)-(4); reg 6(1)-(6)
Only a mineral right holder, licensed dealer, licensed broker or Minerals Import Permit holder (or their employee, agent or contractor) may possess or dispose of minerals; only a mineral right holder or licensed dealer that has paid royalty and the inspection fee may export. Offence: individual fine…
Primary law
- Mining Act Cap. 123 R.E. 2023 (s.18 R.E. 2019), s.19(1), (3), (4)
Exporters must receive export proceeds in foreign currency through their account at a bank or financial institution in Tanzania within the agreed payment period, not more than 90 days; documents to the bank within 7 days after customs clearance; delays reported on Form A (FX Regulations 2022 reg 7);…
90 days
Primary lawAmount not confirmed
- Foreign Exchange Regulations 2022; Mining Act R.E. 2019, regs 7-8; s.106(2)(b)
Reporting persons and anyone holding others' funds or assets must screen customers against the UN Security Council and domestic lists, screen the whole customer base within 24 hours of a designation, freeze without delay, and report positive matches to the Minister, the FIU and the Police (POTA Regu…
Official guidance
- FIU Targeted Financial Sanctions Guide (Nov 2023); Prevention of Terrorism (General) Regulations 2022 (GN 379 of 2022), guide paras 2.2-2.4; reg 4(5)
Raw minerals may be kept in the Government Minerals Warehouse at the BoT under a transport permit (Form 1/2) sealed with the Resident Mines Officer and TRA; storage 1 month plus up to 2 months extension, monthly fees TZS 200,000-1,000,000; after the extension the BoT may buy (paying in TZS); offence…
Primary law
- Mining (Government Minerals Warehouse) Regulations 2021 (GN 58 of 2022), regs 23, 31
The Government, through the BoT, has the exclusive right to buy the set-aside gold, delivered to a designated refinery; where the BoT gives written notice (at least one month ahead) that it will stop buying, the set-aside gold is sold to domestic gold refineries. Only the set-aside share is covered;…
Official guidance
- Commission guideline on gold purchase (Aug 2024); Mining Act s.72A as inserted by Finance Act 2024 s.58
No person may transport minerals within Tanzania without the Mining Commission's written authorisation (Gem Houses Regs reg 13); a refinery, elution or VAT leaching plant may not refine any minerals or concentrates without the Commission's written authorisation (reg 14). The Commission checks licenc…
Primary law
- Mineral and Gem Houses Regulations 2019; Commission smuggling guideline, regs 13-14
Except with the Governor's permission, no person other than one authorised under the Foreign Exchange Act may buy, borrow, sell, lend, hold or otherwise deal in gold (FX Regulations 2022 reg 5). The Foreign Exchange Act 1992 s.10(1)(b) bars the export of any gold without the Governor's permission, "…
Primary law
- Foreign Exchange Regulations 2022; Foreign Exchange Act 1992, reg 5; s.2, s.10(1)(b)
Gold is a designated mineral under the ICGLR Regional Certification Mechanism: mine sites are classified red, yellow or green (reg 5), chain-of-custody and due-diligence duties apply (regs 8-9), no designated mineral may be exported without an export permit and the ICGLR certificate (reg 13(1)), imp…
Primary law
- Mining (Designated Minerals Certification) Regulations 2019, regs 2, 5, 8, 9, 13, 16, 19, 22
No licence or permit may be issued under any law for exporting raw minerals and mineral concentrates (s.100C(3) R.E. 2019); raw minerals leave the mine only under Government supervision. Gold dore and refined gold may be exported after laboratory analysis of the other minerals they contain and calcu…
Primary law
- Mining Act as amended by Act No. 7 of 2017; Mining (Value Addition) Regulations 2020, s.100C (R.E. 2019); GN 687 of 2020 Schedule (gold)
Mineral right holders and licensed dealers must set aside gold for processing, smelting, refining and trading in Tanzania at the percentage the Minister fixes by regulations, not less than 20% of the gold (Finance Act 2024 s.57 replacing s.59, now s.69). Holders of agreements with the Government tha…
Not less than 20% of the gold
Primary lawAmount not confirmed
- Mining Act s.69 (R.E. 2023) as replaced by Finance Act 2024 s.57 and amended by Finance Act 2025 s.77, s.69

Leg 2: Switzerland

On the way

11
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.”
12
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 law
The 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
13
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 law
The 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:”
14
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
15
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
Standard
The 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)
16
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 guidance
R-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)
17
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 guidance
R-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)
18
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 law
Art. 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
19
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)
Unverified
Carrier 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 confirmed
Import 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 confirmed
- VAT 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 confirmed
- CDB 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 guidance
- BAZG 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 law
- EMKG/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 law
- PMCO/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 law
- Ordinance 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 law
- Customs 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 law
- GwG 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 law
- GwG 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: Russia

On the way

20
File the FPP import-control application in GIIS DMDK with the foreign-trade contract, specification, document on precious-metal content and special-registration record
Who
Importer of gold-bearing material for refining (refiner or special-registered company)
Needs
Special-registration register entry (FPP); Assay certificate (fineness and fine weight); Commercial invoice
Issues
FPP application for import control
Primary law
- EEC Board Decision 30, Annex 14, Annex 2 (Rules) para 4(a), Rules para 4(a)
21
State control at a specialised customs post (all goods except ores and concentrates), within 5 working days; act of state control
Who
Federal Assay Chamber
Needs
FPP application for import control
Issues
Act of state control on import
Primary law
- Presidential Decree 1137 para 19¹; EEC Board Decision 30, Annex 14, Annex 2 para 10, para 19¹
22
Declare the goods at a specialised customs post for release or processing, presenting the act of state control, and take delivery to the refinery
Who
Importer of gold-bearing material for refining (refiner or special-registered company)
Needs
Act of state control on import
Issues
EAEU goods declaration for import / customs processing
Primary law
[not-read] Import duty and import VAT treatment of gold-bearing material not read.
- EEC Board Decision 30, Annex 14 paras 4, 8, Regulation para 8
23
Screen buyer and destination: Russian-origin gold exported after the sanctions dates cannot be imported into the EU, UK, US, Switzerland or Japan, and Russian bars made from 7 Mar 2022 are not LBMA Good Delivery; sales go to non-sanctioning markets
Who
Licensed exporter (mining company, refiner or bank holding a Minpromtorg export licence)
Primary law
24
Sign the export contract and issue the commercial invoice
Who
Licensed exporter (mining company, refiner or bank holding a Minpromtorg export licence)
Issues
Export contract with foreign buyer; Commercial invoice
Primary law
25
Apply to Minpromtorg for an export licence (one-off for a contract, or a general licence under Decree 1126 or 867); Minfin approves the application in GIIS DMDK within 10 working days (Order 10n from 1 Sep 2026), except credit organisations' applications for refined gold, silver, platinum and palladium bars since 8 May 2026
Who
Licensed exporter (mining company, refiner or bank holding a Minpromtorg export licence)
Needs
Export contract with foreign buyer; Special-registration register entry (FPP)
Issues
Minfin conclusion (permissive document) approving an export-licence application (Order 10n from 1 Sep 2026); EAEU export licence issued by Minpromtorg (one-off or general)
Primary law
Licence validity and issue time from EEC Council Decision 125 Rules paras 9 and 13: a one-off licence is valid up to 1 year from its start (may be limited to the contract term); a general licence up to 1 year; the licensing authority decides within 15 working days of receiving the documents unless the Commission decision introducing the measure sets another term. [unconfirmed] Decision 125's own in-force date depends on the Protocol of 25.05.2023 (see ru.law-eec-125).
- Presidential Decree 1137, Regulation paras 4 and 22; Minfin Order 10n, paras 4, 22
26
File the application letter for FPP state control through GIIS DMDK with: the export licence copy (table-1 goods), the contract, the specification, the invoice, the calculation of the value of the precious metals (within 5% of world prices), special-registration record or bank licence, proof of lawful ownership, the precious-metal content document, technical documentation, the subsoil licence (mining subjects) and the document on the State Fund's refusal to buy (mining and producing subjects)
Who
Licensed exporter (mining company, refiner or bank holding a Minpromtorg export licence)
Needs
EAEU export licence issued by Minpromtorg (one-off or general); Export contract with foreign buyer; Commercial invoice; Document on the authorised bodies' refusal (non-exercise) to purchase; Passport for standard bar / certificate for measured bar of refined precious metal (FPP Order 154n; replaced by a single certificate under Order 144n from 1 Mar 2027)
Issues
Application (zayavka / letter-application) for FPP state control on export or import, filed in GIIS DMDK; Calculation of the value of precious metals in the consignment
Primary law
[transcription] EEC Board Decision 30 read in the ConsultantPlus copy published by the FPP; the FPP list reproduces the same paragraph.
- EEC Board Decision 30, Annex 14, Annex 2 (Rules) para 4(b); Minfin Order 11n (valuation), Rules para 4(b)
27
State control of the whole consignment within 5 working days: check against documents, origin, compliance with transaction rules, valuation, optional sampling; issue the act of state control (3 copies; the first for customs) or a refusal
Who
Federal Assay Chamber
Needs
Application (zayavka / letter-application) for FPP state control on export or import, filed in GIIS DMDK
Issues
Act of state control (akt gosudarstvennogo kontrolya) of the Federal Assay Chamber
Primary law
- EEC Board Decision 30, Annex 14, Annex 2 (Rules) paras 3, 8, 10; 41-FZ art. 26², Rules para 10
28
Lodge the export declaration at a specialised customs post, presenting the export licence and the act of state control
Who
Licensed exporter (mining company, refiner or bank holding a Minpromtorg export licence)
Needs
EAEU export licence issued by Minpromtorg (one-off or general); Act of state control (akt gosudarstvennogo kontrolya) of the Federal Assay Chamber; Commercial invoice
Issues
Export goods declaration (accepted and released by customs); Certificate of origin (general form) for non-EAEU destinations
Primary law
[not-read] The customs rules on the declaration itself were not read.
- EEC Board Decision 30, Annex 14 paras 4-5; Presidential Decree 1137 para 19¹, Regulation paras 4-5
29
Carry the sealed consignment to the airport and hand to the airline (valuable cargo)
Who
Secure carrier of valuables
Needs
Export goods declaration (accepted and released by customs)
Issues
Packing list; Air waybill
Unverified
The armed-escort rule (41-FZ art. 29(3)) covers transport to the airport; no rule on the hand-over to the airline was read.
- Federal Law 41-FZ, art. 29(3)

Taxes and fees

VAT on precious metals
0% on sales of precious metals by mining or producing taxpayers to the State Fund, regional funds, the Bank of Russia and banks (art. 164(1)(6)); 0% on goods exported under the export customs procedure (art. 164(1)(1)); 0% on ores and concentrates sold by miners to listed refiners for refining (art. 164(1)(6³)); exempt: sales of precious metals to the State Fund, CBR and banks by others, bank and CBR sales of bars to banks, sales of refined bars (except silver) by banks, refiners and Goznak to individuals, and bank sales of bars kept in the vault (art. 149(3)(9)); exempt: legal-tender precious-metal coins (art. 149(2)(11))
Primary lawAmount not confirmed
- Tax Code Part Two, ch. 21, arts. 149(2)(11), 149(3)(9), 164(1)(1), (6), (6³)

Controls

FPP state control of every import from and export to non-EAEU states of goods in tables 1 and 3 of section 2.10 (41-FZ art. 26²; Decree 1137 para 19(b)): the whole batch is presented (for ores and concentrates, HS 2616, the documents only) and controlled within 5 working days; checks of the batch a…
Primary law
- EEC Board Decision 30, Annex 14, Annex 2 (Rules) paras 3, 4, 7, 8, 10; Presidential Decree 1137 paras 19, 19¹, Rules paras 3, 10
From 1 May 2026 export from Russia of refined gold in bars with a total weight over 100 g by individuals, legal entities and entrepreneurs is prohibited, except (a) to EAEU member states through the international airports Moscow (Vnukovo), Moscow (Domodedovo), Moscow (Sheremetyevo) and Vladivostok (…
Total weight over 100 g
Primary lawAmount not confirmed
- Presidential Decree 193 of 25.03.2026; Government Decree 450 of 23.04.2026, para 2, para 4
Purchase and sale of precious metals (and jewellery and scrap) of RUB 1,000,000 or more is subject to mandatory control and reported to Rosfinmonitoring by the seller within 3 working days; individuals buying jewellery up to RUB 60,000 (RUB 400,000 with a personalised e-payment means) are not identi…
RUB 1,000,000
Primary lawAmount not confirmed
- Law 115-FZ, art. 6(1)(4) sixth paragraph; art. 7(1.4-2)
Only listed refiners, Goznak and credit organisations may sell refined (investment) bars to individuals, and retailers only bars received on commission or agency from them; buy-back dealers and pawnshops may pass bars bought from individuals only to refiners. Deals between individuals in precious me…
Primary law
- Government Decree 604 of 15.05.2024 (Rules paras 3-4, 8); 41-FZ art. 22(6), Rules para 4
No gold-specific cash-payment limit was found. The RUB 1,000,000 mandatory-control threshold applies whatever the means of payment.
Unverified
Export to non-EAEU states of goods in tables 1 and 2 of section 2.10 of the EAEU Single List (table 1 includes refined gold in bars, plates, powder and granules, unique and non-refinable nuggets, other unwrought gold incl. dore, scrap, ores and concentrates) requires a licence issued by Minpromtorg …
Primary law
- Presidential Decree 1137 (Regulation paras 4, 22, 23); EEC Board Decision 30, Annex 14 para 5; Minfin Order 10n, paras 4, 22, 23
Residents must receive export proceeds on their accounts in authorised banks (173-FZ art. 19(1)(1)). Under art. 19(8) this does not apply to contracts priced or payable in foreign currency, except for goods listed there; the list includes HS 7101-7103 and 7112 but not 7108 (gold). Where art. 19 appl…
Primary law
- Federal Law 173-FZ art. 19; Presidential Decrees 79 (para 2) and 430, art. 19(1), (8)
Traceability: participants must record precious-metal operations in GIIS DMDK, with UINs and electronic accompanying documents between participants; refiners report receipt and shipment of metal in any form.
Primary law
- 41-FZ art. 12², art. 20(2); Government Decree 270 of 26.02.2021, art. 12²
Refined metal in standard form must, before it enters circulation, be offered by a purchase proposal to the State Fund institution under Minfin and to the authority of the mining region (where a regional fund exists) - for the next year by 31 December, with an additional proposal within 10 working d…
Primary law
- Federal Law 41-FZ, art. 2(5), art. 20(4)-(5)
LBMA suspended six Russian refiners on 7 Mar 2022; their bars produced from that date are not Good Delivery; Russian bars already in loco London/Swiss before then remain Good Delivery, with clearing banks attesting conformity.
Standard
Mined and produced precious metals (except nuggets) must, after the necessary processing, go for refining to organisations on the Government list (41-FZ art. 20(1)); only listed organisations may refine (art. 4(4)); the refining agreement's mandatory terms and the refiner's reporting duties are set …
Primary law
- Federal Law 41-FZ, art. 20(1)
Switzerland: purchase, import, transit and transport into and through Switzerland of gold under Annex 26 (includes HS 7108) originating in Russia and exported from Russia after 4 August 2022 are prohibited (Art. 14d(1)); the same applies to such gold processed in a third country (Art. 14d(2)) and, s…
Primary law
- Swiss Ukraine Ordinance SR 946.231.176.72 (Stand 21.09.2026), Art. 14d
EU: it is prohibited to purchase, import or transfer, directly or indirectly, gold listed in Annex XXVI (HS 7108; 7112 91 gold waste and scrap; ex 7118 90 gold coins) that originates in Russia and was exported from Russia into the Union or to any third country after 22 July 2022 (art. 3o(1)); the sa…
Primary law
- Regulation (EU) 833/2014 as amended by 2022/1269, art. 3o
Japan: import of precious metals originating in Russia and shipped from Russia on or after 1 August 2022 requires the Minister of Finance's permission under FEFTA art. 19(2) (MOF Notice No 443 of 2006 as amended 25 July 2022, item 4); the government announced it on 5 July 2022 as an import ban.
Primary law
- MOF Notice No 443 of 2006 as amended 25 Jul 2022, item 4
UK: import of gold originating in Russia and exported from Russia on or after 21 July 2022 is prohibited (reg 46Z11, Chapter 4J inserted by SI 2022/850, in force 21 Jul 2022), with prohibitions on acquisition with intent to import, supply and delivery, technical assistance, financial services and br…
Primary law
- Russia (Sanctions) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019, regs 46Z11-46Z16, 46Z16A-46Z16C
US: import of gold of Russian Federation origin is prohibited from 28 Jun 2022, except gold located outside Russia before that date (OFAC determination under E.O. 14068 s. 1(a)(i)(A), amended version of 22 Dec 2023). U.S. persons may not deal with the Central Bank, the National Wealth Fund or the Mi…
Primary law
- E.O. 14068 and the OFAC determination; E.O. 14024 as amended by E.O. 14114, E.O. 14068 s. 1(a)(i)(A); E.O. 14024 s. 11
  “the importation into the United States of … products of Russian Federation origin”
Temporary ban from 1 June to 30 November 2026 on export from Russia of precious-metal waste and scrap (HS 7112) and electrical and electronic waste used mainly to recover precious metals (8549 21 000 0, 8549 29 000 0), with exceptions for samples of up to 500 g per batch exported by listed refiners …
Primary law
- Government Decree 558 of 16.05.2026, para 1
Legal entities, entrepreneurs and artist-jewellers operating with precious metals must be on the FPP special register kept in GIIS DMDK; those that should be registered and are not may not carry out operations (41-FZ art. 13¹(2)). Registration within 30 calendar days of state registration (Rules pa…
Primary law
- 41-FZ art. 13¹; Government Decree 1052 (Rules paras 2, 5), art. 13¹
Precious metals and products from them are transported by air, sea, inland water, rail or specialised equipped road vehicles under armed escort; raw materials with less than 1% gold (or 5% silver), jewellery, investment metals (within a weight limit set by the Government) and some other items may mo…
Primary law
- Federal Law 41-FZ, art. 29(3)

Leg 4: United Arab Emirates

Where the goods arrive

30
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)
31
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 guidance
No 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)
32
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 law
Investment 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)
33
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)
34
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 guidance
DMCC: 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.
35
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 confirmed
- Dubai 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 law
- Cabinet 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 guidance
- Cabinet 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 confirmed
- Federal 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 confirmed
- Federal 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 law
- Cabinet 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 law
- Ministerial Decree 68/2024; MoE Due Diligence Regulations v1 (2022), Decree Art. 1(A), 1(B), Art. 3 (penalties under the AML law)

Leg 5: Tanzania

Back in the origin country: the proceeds of the export

36
Receive the export proceeds in foreign currency through the exporter's account at a bank in Tanzania within the agreed payment period (not more than 90 days); give the bank the export documents within 7 days after customs clearance; report delays beyond 90 days on Form A
Who
Commercial bank in Tanzania
Issues
Credit of export proceeds to exporter's account
Primary law
- Foreign Exchange Regulations 2022, reg 7(1)-(5)

Crossings between countries

Tanzania → Switzerland Not researched
Papers that cross: Mining Commission sorting, assay and valuation record; Application for permit to export minerals (Form MTF.1); Examination, weighing and sealing of containers by Mines Resident Officer (reg 5(2)); Packing list; Permit to export minerals (Form MTF.2); Special export permit for non-resident (Form MTF.14); ICGLR Regional Certificate for designated minerals (Form DMTF.3); Customs export declaration (TRA); Air waybill; Consignment Security Declaration
Switzerland → Russia 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)
Russia → United Arab Emirates Researched
Papers that cross: FPP application for import control; Act of state control on import; EAEU goods declaration for import / customs processing; Minfin conclusion (permissive document) approving an export-licence application (Order 10n from 1 Sep 2026); EAEU export licence issued by Minpromtorg (one-off or general); Application (zayavka / letter-application) for FPP state control on export or import, filed in GIIS DMDK; Calculation of the value of precious metals in the consignment; Act of state control (akt gosudarstvennogo kontrolya) of the Federal Assay Chamber; Export goods declaration (accepted and released by customs); Certificate of origin (general form) for non-EAEU destinations; Packing list; Air waybill