Russian Federation [Licensed export (miner, refiner or bank)] → United Arab Emirates (refine) → Switzerland → China (mainland) (refine) · Deposit, trade and withdrawal on the Shanghai Gold Exchange
Public law and official guidance, published as research. Not legal, tax or financial advice.
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The route, leg by leg
Each step, tax and control as the research records it, with its legal basis and how sure the research is.
Russia (Doré bar - unstamped) ⟶ United Arab Emirates (Doré bar - unstamped → Pre-refined 995 bar (e.g. 'Dubai 995')) ⟶ Switzerland (Pre-refined 995 bar (e.g. 'Dubai 995')) ⟶ China (Pre-refined 995 bar (e.g. 'Dubai 995') → 999.9 kilobar)
Leg 1: Russia
Where the goods start
- 1
Extract gold ore or placer sands within the licensed plot
- Who
- Subsoil user (gold mining company)
- Needs
- Subsoil-use licence (electronic); Special-registration register entry (FPP)
- Form
- Ore (in situ / run-of-mine) → Concentrate / black sand
Primary lawLaw 'On Subsoil', art. 11
- 2
Process on site (gravity, leaching, smelting) into dore bars or placer (shlikh) gold; the metal must then go to refining
- Who
- Subsoil user (gold mining company)
- Issues
- Batch number / GIIS UIN of the dore lot
- Form
- Concentrate / black sand → Doré bar - unstamped
Primary lawProcessing technology is industry practice; the law only requires "necessary processing" before refining.
Federal Law 41-FZ, art. 20(1)
- 3
Sign a refining agreement with a listed refiner; it must set the delivery schedule and volumes, limits of harmful substances, the inventory of each lot, commission acceptance with control sampling, timing and specifications of the output, return-waste norms, the recipients of refined metal, the owner's delivery obligations to the State Fund or regional funds, liability and dispute settlement
- Who
- Subsoil user (gold mining company)
- Issues
- Refining (tolling) agreement miner-refiner
Primary lawGovernment Decree 972, Procedure para 3, para 3
- 4
Record the lot in GIIS DMDK and issue an electronic accompanying document (ESD) with the lot's UIN for dispatch to the refiner
- Who
- Subsoil user (gold mining company)
- Needs
- Batch number / GIIS UIN of the dore lot; Refining (tolling) agreement miner-refiner
- Issues
- ESD for dispatch of dore/placer gold to the refiner
Official guidance[not-read] The GIIS DMDK Rules (Decree 270) were not read in full; the ESD fields for dore were not seen.
Government Decree 270 of 26.02.2021
- 5
Transport dore to the refinery by air, sea, inland water, rail or a specialised equipped road vehicle under armed escort
- Who
- Secure carrier of valuables
- Needs
- ESD for dispatch of dore/placer gold to the refiner
Primary lawFederal Law 41-FZ, art. 29(3)
- 6
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 - 7
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 - 8
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 lawLicence 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
- 9
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)
- 10
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 lawEEC Board Decision 30, Annex 14, Annex 2 (Rules) paras 3, 8, 10; 41-FZ art. 26², Rules para 10
- 11
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
- 12
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
UnverifiedThe 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
Exchange-rate-linked export duty on gold
0% (average USD/RUB below 80), 4% (80-85), 4.5% (85-90), 5.5% (90-95), 7% (95 and above) of the customs value
Primary lawAmount not confirmedGovernment Decree 1538 of 21.09.2023, para 1; Decree 532 of 25.04.2024, para 1
Export duty on gold-bearing concentrates
Same exchange-rate-linked bands (0-7%) as Decree 1538 para 1 - group 26 (except 2609 00 000 0) is in the list, which covers precious-metal ores and concentrates (HS 2616) Precious-metal ores and concentrates (HS 2616) exported outside the EAEU
Primary lawAmount not confirmedGovernment Decree 1538 of 21.09.2023, para 1, para 1
Mineral extraction tax (NDPI) on gold
6.0% (art. 342(2)(5): "концентратов и других полупродуктов, содержащих в себе один или несколько драгоценных металлов"), times the rent coefficient KRENTA = 1 for these minerals (art. 342⁸(3)(2)) and the territory coefficient Ktd (art. 342(2²)) Gold-bearing semi-products at the end of the extraction operations (dore/ligature gold, placer and native gold, concentrates)
Primary lawAmount not confirmedTax Code Part Two, ch. 26, arts. 337(2)(13), 340(5), 342(2)(5), 342⁸(3)(2)
NDPI surcharge on gold (2024)
RUB 78,000 per kg of gold contained in the extracted semi-product (КДРМ = VДРМ x 78 000) Tax periods beginning 1 June - 31 December 2024; gold in semi-products under art. 337(2)(13) extracted on licensed plots
Primary lawAmount not confirmedFederal Law 96-FZ of 22.04.2024, art. 1(7), adding Tax Code art. 343(21), art. 343(21) (2024 wording)
NDPI surcharge on gold from 2025
КДРМ = 0.1 x (ЦЗ / 1000 - 61 000) x VДРМ x Р: 10% of the excess of the month's average world gold price in USD per kg (ЦЗ is USD per tonne, art. 342¹⁰(1)) over USD 61,000 per kg, times the kg of gold contained, times the month's average USD/RUB rate
Primary lawAmount not confirmedTax Code art. 343(21) as restated by Federal Law 176-FZ of 12.07.2024, art. 343(21)
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 lawEEC 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 confirmedPresidential 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 confirmedLaw 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 lawGovernment 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.
UnverifiedExport 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 lawPresidential 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 lawFederal 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 law41-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 lawFederal 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.
StandardMined 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 lawFederal 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 lawSwiss 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 lawRegulation (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 lawMOF 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 lawRussia (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 lawE.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 lawGovernment 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 law41-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 lawFederal Law 41-FZ, art. 29(3)
Leg 2: United Arab Emirates
On the way
Doré bar - unstamped → Pre-refined 995 bar (e.g. 'Dubai 995')
- 13
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)
- 14
File the Dubai Customs declaration on Mirsal 2 with invoice, packing list, certificate of origin and air waybill (for a free-zone consignee the Customer Guide's 'FZ Transit In' type appears to apply, not import to local); disclose the precious metals crossing the border
- Who
- DMCC importer / trader
- Needs
- Air waybill; Certificate of origin; Origin country's export authorisation for the gold (permit, licence or clearance issued by the mining or trade authority); Commercial invoice; Packing list
- Issues
- Dubai Customs declaration filed online (for goods entering a free zone: "FZ Transit In"); Disclosure of precious metals crossing the UAE border (cargo included)
Official guidanceNo UAE import permit for gold: Dubai Customs lists DMCC as restricting authority only for "Pearls, Diamonds, Rough Diamonds etc." (Customer Guide App. I). FZ Transit In (s.15.12.2): "foreign goods originated from any country may be brought into the free zones without being subject to customs duties or taxes. The owner of the goods in the Documents shall be a Free Zone Licensee"; documents MAWB/HAWB, commercial invoice, certificate of origin, packing list, delivery order. Mainland duty: the GCC exempted list's gold line is printed "71060000" (silver's heading) [summary][blocked]. Cross-border disclosure: see ae.doc-pm-disclosure-ae. [unconfirmed] Neither Dubai Customs guide names the declaration type for gold into a DMCC company or the DMCC Vault. [conflict] Supporting documents are due within 14 days (Customer Guide s.15.7) or 30 days (Service Guide v9 App. A) - see ae.div-customs-doc-deadline. KPMG (secondary): periodic "Goods Consumption within FZ" declaration under Dubai Customs Notice 17/2020.
Dubai Customs Customer Guide v3.03; Dubai Customs Service Guide v9; Federal Decree-Law 10/2025, Customer Guide s.15.12.2 (FZ Transit In), App. J (DMCC declarations at the Customer Service Center at DMCC); FDL 10/2025 Art. 10 (cross-border disclosure)
- 15
Import VAT: registered importer accounts for VAT on its own return (reverse charge); investment-grade gold is zero-rated, doré is not
- Who
- DMCC importer / trader
- Issues
- Import VAT accounted on the importer's own VAT return (registered importer)
Primary lawInvestment precious metals = gold, silver or platinum of 99% purity or more, in a form tradeable in global bullion markets (ER Art. 36(2), not amended in the consolidation to CD 100/2025); their supply or import is zero-rated (Art. 45(8)). [inferred] Doré below 99% does not qualify. [unconfirmed] DMCC's absence from the Designated Zones was checked only against the 2017 list (secondary copy). [not-read] FDL 16/2025 amendments (from 1 Jan 2026) not held.
Federal Decree-Law 8/2017 on VAT; Executive Regulation (Cabinet Decision 52/2017, as amended; consolidated to CD 100/2025), Law Art. 45(8), 48(1), 49; ER Art. 36(2), 48(1), 48(5), 50(1)
- 16
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)
- 17
Refiner performs its own CDD on the supplier; third-party audit, assurance or certification reports are supporting evidence only, and the relationship must stop if CDD cannot be completed
- Who
- Dubai refiner (UAEGD-accredited)
- Needs
- 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; Air waybill
- Issues
- Refiner KYC and custody file: supplier identity/constitution/licence/UBOs, PEP approval, invoices, declared weight and assay, unique input/output references, transport documents, arrival and assay-final dates, payment details (kept 5 years); Red-flag assessment by location of origin and by supplier
Primary lawUAE MoE Due Diligence Regulations v1 (2022); Ministerial Decree 68/2024; EBC Rules for RBDG v1/2021, Regs s.1.3.1-1.3.7, 1.3.6 (cease if CDD cannot be done), 1.3.10 (records 5 years), 1.5 (own KYC; third-party audits only supporting evidence), 2.1-2.2; Decree Art. 1(A)-(B); EBC Rules 1.6-1.14
- 18
Weigh-in, seal-check, sample, fire-assay the doré
- Who
- Dubai refiner (UAEGD-accredited)
- Needs
- Refining agreement, Dubai refiner; Refiner KYC and custody file: supplier identity/constitution/licence/UBOs, PEP approval, invoices, declared weight and assay, unique input/output references, transport documents, arrival and assay-final dates, payment details (kept 5 years); Pre-shipment notification to refiner/buyer
- Issues
- Refiner outturn/assay report
Industry practiceSpecific weighing/sampling/fire-assay methodology not published in any UAE-specific source found
- 19
Melt, refine and cast to 995.0 or 999.9 bars, marked with serial number, the refiner's hallmark/brand stamp, fineness to four significant figures and weight (year optional, otherwise on the manufacturer's certificate)
- Who
- Dubai refiner (UAEGD-accredited)
- Needs
- Refiner outturn/assay report
- Issues
- Manufacturer certificate accompanying UAEGD bars (states year of manufacture if not stamped); Output record: unique reference, refiner name and stamp, year for each bar
- Form
- Doré bar - stamped/exporter-sealed → Pre-refined 995 bar (e.g. 'Dubai 995')
Official guidance[unconfirmed] Refining method (Miller chlorination) is not in the UAEGD Rules or RBDG Rules.
EBC UAE Good Delivery Accreditation Rules v1/2021, s.7.1 (bar marking)
- 20
Refiner appoints an independent third-party auditor and submits the due-diligence report to the MoE (Decree 68/2024 Art. 1(B)); the Reviewer sends its reports to the MoE within 90 calendar days of the end of the review period (DD Regulations Annex I s.12.1). UAEGD (EBC) and DMCC Accredited Members also publish an annual report (EBC Rules / DMCC RBD-GPM Rule 5.1).
- Who
- Dubai refiner (UAEGD-accredited)
- Issues
- RBD-GPM annual disclosure; MoET responsible-sourcing audit report
Primary lawThe EBC and DMCC reporting duties are rules of those bodies (official-guidance) and bind their Accredited Members only. [conflict] DMCC accreditation status after 2021: see ae.div-dmcc-role.
Ministerial Decree 68/2024; MoE Due Diligence Regulations v1; EBC Rules for RBDG v1/2021; DMCC RBD-GPM v2/2020, Decree Art. 1(B); Regulations Step 5, Annex I s.12.1; EBC Rules Rule 5.1; DMCC Rules Art. 3.1, Rule 5.1
- 21
Deposit refined bars into DMCC Vault (operated by Brink's)
- Who
- DMCC Vault (operated by Brink's)
- Needs
- Manufacturer certificate accompanying UAEGD bars (states year of manufacture if not stamped)
- Issues
- DMCC Vault deposit/withdrawal receipt; DMCC Tradeflow warrant (optional; used for pledging and title transfer)
Official guidanceDMCC: the Vault is "Owned by DMCC and operated by Brink's Global Services" and "DMCC can assist with all customs processes". [not-read] Deposit/withdrawal documents and any bonded status of the Vault are not published; the receipt document is inferred.
- 22
Obtain a Certificate of Origin from Dubai Chambers: a non-preferential certificate for UAE-origin goods (goods produced in the UAE by a licensed exporter; copy of the industrial licence and the factory's invoice) or a certificate for foreign goods re-exported
- Who
- DMCC importer / trader
- Needs
- Refiner outturn/assay report
- Issues
- UAE Certificate of Origin / re-export documentation (Dubai Chambers)
Primary lawUnresolved: whether refining doré into bars confers UAE origin - both can sit in HS 7108.12 and no gold-specific rule was found; CR 43/2022 Art. 4 also allows "specific manufacturing operations". India's Noida SEZ SOP treats gold bars sourced from the UAE as not UAE-originating (see ae-in). Fee AED 100, two hours (Dubai Chambers service page; the Resolution sets no amount). [summary][blocked] FL 11/2019 and CR 43/2022 read through WebFetch only (downloads Cloudflare-challenged).
Federal Law 11/2019; Cabinet Resolution 43/2022; Dubai Chambers Resolution 7/2024, FL 11/2019 Art. 4 (minimal operations do not confer origin), Art. 6 (issue of certificates; the Chamber issues certificates for re-exported foreign commodities); CR 43/2022 Art. 4 (last major operation, incl. "a change in the customs item or ... specific manufacturing operations"); DC Res. 7/2024 Art. 2 (types), Art. 3(a) (conditions), Art. 3(b) (UAE-origin certificate only for goods produced in the UAE by an exporter licensed by the Competent Entity), Art. 4 (electronic application), Art. 6 (valid six months), Art. 7 (register kept 3 years)
- 23
File Dubai Customs export/re-export declaration; VAT zero-rated on export
- Who
- DMCC importer / trader
- Needs
- UAE Certificate of Origin / re-export documentation (Dubai Chambers)
- Issues
- Dubai Customs export/re-export declaration
Primary lawFederal Decree-Law 8/2017 on VAT; VAT Executive Regulation; Cabinet Decision 127/2024; Dubai Customs Customer Guide v3.03, DL 8/2017 Art. 45(1) (exports zero-rated); ER Art. 30 (export within 90 days, with customs declaration and commercial evidence); CD 127/2024 Art. 2(2) (no reverse charge on zero-rated supplies); Customer Guide s.15.12.3 (FZ Transit Out; penalty 10% of value without proof of export), s.16 (proof of export by air)
- 24
Book air cargo as valuable/secure freight (specialist carrier), security clearance, sealed/inspected shipment at DXB/DWC
- Who
- Secure logistics provider (UAE/air legs)
- Needs
- Dubai Customs export/re-export declaration
- Issues
- Air waybill, Dubai -> Zurich/Geneva
Industry practiceCAR VII has nothing gold-specific; booking as valuable/secure freight with a specialist carrier is practice. [inferred] Road leg to the airport in Dubai needs a SIRA Money and Valuables Transport licence.
GCAA CAR Part VII Ed. 05; SIRA Resolution 1/2018, CAR VII 4.6.1 (security controls on cargo), 4.6.6 (operators accept cargo only with security controls confirmed), 4.6.7 (security status accompanies cargo); SIRA Res. Art. 3(a)(6)
Taxes and fees
Customs duty on gold imports
0% for goods entering a free zone (FZ Transit In); mainland imports of gold: 0% under the GCC exempted-commodities list (read via WebFetch only) Unwrought and semi-manufactured gold
Official guidanceAmount not confirmedDubai Customs Customer Guide v3.03; GCC common customs law; UAE list of exempted commodities, Customer Guide s.9 (duty suspended for goods admitted into free zones), s.15.12.2
Domestic reverse charge on precious metals and precious stones between registered businesses
Recipient accounts for VAT Supplies of gold, silver, platinum, palladium, precious stones and jewellery made of them, for resale or production, between VAT-registered persons, with the buyer's written declaration (CD 127/2024, replacing CD 25/2018)
Primary lawCabinet Decision 127/2024; FTA VATP043, Art. 1 (Goods: precious metals - gold, silver, palladium, platinum - precious stones and jewellery mostly of them), Art. 2(1)-(4), Art. 4 (repeals CD 25/2018)
“Precious Metals, Precious Stones and jewelry made of any Precious Metals or Precious Stones”
Special reverse charge on gold and diamonds between registrants (Cabinet Decision 25/2018)
Registered recipient accounts for VAT Gold and products mostly of gold not qualifying for zero-rating, and diamonds, supplied between registrants; exports of gold items and investment precious metals outside its scope (VATP029)
Official guidanceCabinet Decision No. 25 of 2018
Import VAT
5% standard; 0% for investment precious metals (99%+ purity, tradeable form) Doré is not investment gold, so it is standard-rated; refined bars of 99%+ are zero-rated
Primary lawAmount not confirmedFederal Decree-Law 8/2017 on VAT; Executive Regulation, Art. 3 (5%), 45(8), 48(1), 49; Exec. Reg. Art. 36(2), 48, 50(1)
“a standard rate of 5% Tax shall be imposed on any supply or Import”
Controls
Precious metals crossing the UAE border must be disclosed; declarations are also required for precious metals over AED 60,000 crossing through cargo, mail or shipments, cargo being declared through the official customs systems.
AED 60,000
Primary lawAmount not confirmedFederal Decree-Law 10/2025; CBUAE Regulation on the Declaration of Currencies, BNIs, and Precious Metals and Stones (OG 703, 31 May 2021), FDL 10/2025 Art. 10 (duty to disclose, per the disclosure system issued by the ICP with the Central Bank), Art. 41(3) (regulations under FDL 20/2018 remain effective insofar as not conflicting), Art. 34 (penalty)
“Any person entering into or departing from the State shall be under the obligation to make a disclosure whenever they carry currencies, bearer negotiable instruments, precious metals, or valuable stones, in accordance with the disclosure system issued by the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs and Port Security, in coordination with the Central Bank”
Dealers in precious metals and stones are DNFBPs for any single cash transaction, or linked transactions, of AED 55,000 or more (CR 134/2025 Art. 3 item 3), and keep records for at least 5 years (Art. 25). The DPMSR report, including for dealings with companies of AED 55,000 or more paid in cash or …
AED 55,000
Primary lawCabinet Resolution 134/2025; MoET Supplemental Guidance for DPMS 2026, CR 134 Art. 3(3), Art. 25(1); Guidance s.1.4.1
“when carrying out any single cash transaction or several transactions that appear to be linked and whose value equals or exceeds fifty-five thousand dirhams (AED 55,000)”
Supply-chain entities and precious-metals dealers must have due-diligence management systems, identify and assess supply-chain risks and adopt a risk-management strategy (Decree Art. 1(A)); refiners must also appoint an independent third-party auditor and submit a due-diligence report (Art. 1(B)), u…
Primary lawMinisterial Decree 68/2024; MoE Due Diligence Regulations v1 (2022), Decree Art. 1(A), 1(B), Art. 3 (penalties under the AML law)
Leg 3: Switzerland
On the way
- 25
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.”
- 26
File the Swiss electronic customs import declaration (formal declaration; simplified or oral declarations excluded for melt material imported for sale), tariff heading 7108.1200 (statistical key 911 for mining gold), with actual origin if known; import VAT-exempt for investment gold (cast bars of at least 995 thousandths fineness bearing the fineness and the stamp of a recognised assayer-melter) and for gold in raw form or semi-finished for refining; unmarked doré may only be imported by a trade assayer (BAZG practice)
- Who
- Swiss refiner (melter/trade-assayer licence, LBMA Good Delivery-listed)
- Needs
- Air waybill
- Issues
- Electronic customs import declaration (commercial import; simplified and oral declarations excluded for melt material)
Primary lawThe Federal Council report (citing the customs administration) says actual origin must be declared if known, but for large imports, e.g. from the United Kingdom or the UAE, the dispatch country is sometimes entered; [inferred] Dubai-refined Nigerian gold can therefore appear as UAE origin. [unconfirmed] That no certificate of origin is required is not stated in the sources read. No written precious-metals control record found for a passed border check. The rule that unmarked doré may only be imported by a trade assayer is BAZG practice (BAZG letter on unmarked melt products; BAZG directive on applying the EMKG); it is not in the EMKG import article. The EMKV (precious metals control ordinance) is not held on the server, so its provisions on recognised fineness marks and banking precious metals are not relied on here. Corrected earlier: the declaration was described as "Passar"; the BAZG melt-material sheet names e-dec web. [time-limited] When the BAZG-VG enters into force (date not set), the EMKG import-check paragraphs are repealed and replaced by a new BAZG control article (BAZG-VG annex amending the EMKG).
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), MWSTG (SR 641.20, Stand 1 Jan 2025) Art. 23 Abs. 2 Ziff. 12: gold supplies exempt
“die Umsätze, die mit Gold und Legierungen von Gold der folgenden Form erzielt werden:”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), Art. 23 Abs. 2 Ziff. 12 Bst. b: investment gold, cast bars
“Gold zu Anlagezwecken mit einem Mindestfeingehalt von 995 Tausendsteln, in Form von:”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), Art. 23 Abs. 2 Ziff. 12 Bst. b, first indent
“gegossenen Barren, versehen mit der Angabe des Feingehalts und dem Stempelzeichen eines anerkannten Prüfer-Schmelzers oder”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), Art. 23 Abs. 2 Ziff. 12 Bst. d: raw or semi-finished gold for refining
“Gold in Rohform oder in Form von Halbzeug, das zur Raffination oder Rückgewinnung bestimmt ist”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), MWSTG Art. 53 Abs. 1 Bst. m: import of gold exempt
“Gold und Legierungen von Gold nach Artikel 23 Absatz 2 Ziffer 12.”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), AS 2024 438 (amendment of 16 June 2023, in force 1 Jan 2025): inserts Art. 53 Abs. 1 Bst. m
“Gold und Legierungen von Gold nach Artikel 23 Absatz 2 Ziffer 12.”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), MWSTV Art. 44 (former gold provision) repealed
“Aufgehoben durch Ziff. I der V vom 21. Aug. 2024, mit Wirkung seit 1. Jan. 2025”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), EMKG (SR 941.31) Art. 20 Abs. 3: import checks
“Die diesem Gesetz unterstellten Waren können bei der Einfuhr einer umfassenden oder stichprobenweisen Kontrolle unterworfen werden.”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), BAZG statistics page: tariff heading 7108.1200
“Data relating to gold in raw form (e.g. bars) are recorded under customs tariff heading 7108.1200”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), BAZG statistics page: statistical key 911 (from 1 Jan 2021)
“mining gold *(key: 911)*”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), Federal Council report 14 Nov 2018, s.3.7
“dass der tatsächliche Ursprung der Waren gemeldet werden muss, sofern er bekannt ist”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), Federal Council report s.3.7
“Bei umfangreichen Einfuhren, zum Beispiel aus Grossbritannien oder den Vereinigten Arabischen Emiraten, wird in der Zollerklärung gelegentlich das Versendungsland angegeben.”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), BAZG R-247 (1 Jan 2023) s.3.4.2: unmarked melt products only imported by trade assayers
“Daher sind ausschliesslich Handelsprüfer berechtigt, nicht gekennzeichnete”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), R-247 s.3.4.2 (doré bars as example)
“(bspw. Doré-Barren aus dem Bergbau)”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), BAZG Merkblatt "Annahme von Schmelzgut aus dem Ausland" (Jan 2024): simplified declarations excluded
“Vereinfachte Zollanmeldeverfahren wie Quickzoll oder gar eine mündliche Zollanmeldung sind daher grundsätzlich ausgeschlossen.”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), Merkblatt: e-dec web
“dies selbst mittels e-dec web vornehmen”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), Merkblatt: prior customs procedure
“Annahme von Schmelzgut aus dem Ausland sichergestellt wird, dass dieses vorgängig”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), Merkblatt: fine per case (under the EMKG)
“mit bis zu CHF 2 000 pro Fall gebüsst werden”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), Merkblatt: licence withdrawal
“In schweren Fällen kann die entsprechende Bewilligung”
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), BAZG letter of 4 Dec 2019 on import of unmarked melt products (only footnotes are sectioned; cited law-only)
VAT Act (MWSTG) as amended with effect from 1 Jan 2025; Precious Metals Control Act (EMKG) (sections in refs), BAZG-VG of 20 June 2025, Anhang 2 Ziff. 53 (EMKG Art. 20 Abs. 3-5 repealed, new Art. 22a); annex not sectioned, cited law-only
- 27
Optionally store under customs control in a free port (e.g. Geneva La Praille / Aéroport, Embrach - Embraport, Zürich-Flughafen - Cargologic): stored goods are not subject to import customs duties or trade-policy measures and may be stored indefinitely
- Who
- Bonded warehouse / freeport operator (Geneva/Embrach)
- Issues
- Electronic customs declaration on entry of sensitive goods into the free port (content: the inventory-record particulars listed in the Customs Ordinance, letters a to f, plus the depositor's name and address); Electronic inventory record of sensitive goods: previous customs document, entry date, owner, origin country, description, value, marks, gross/net mass, origin proof, location, exit date, etc. (17 fields)
Primary lawThe BAZG free-port list held is the old list in the library (its record dates it to the start of the year it was issued; no newer list found); operators may have changed. [time-limited] The BAZG-VG (adopted, not yet in force) treats free ports as a kind of customs warehouse and will replace these articles when in force. [inferred] Suspension of import VAT is read from the BAZG free-port directive ("auf das Erheben der Abgaben ... verzichtet"); the ZG names only import customs duties and trade-policy measures. Supplies of goods stored in a free port are VAT-exempt under the MWSTG (read). The ZG and ZV are now read in their official fedlex consolidations held on the server.
Swiss Customs Act (ZG); Customs Ordinance (ZV) (articles in refs), ZG (SR 631.0, Stand 1 Sep 2023) Art. 62 Abs. 1
“Zollfreilager sind Teile des Zollgebiets oder in diesem gelegene Räumlichkeiten:”
Swiss Customs Act (ZG); Customs Ordinance (ZV) (articles in refs), ZG Art. 62 Abs. 3
“Die eingelagerten Waren unterliegen weder den Einfuhrzollabgaben noch handels- politischen Massnahmen.”
Swiss Customs Act (ZG); Customs Ordinance (ZV) (articles in refs), ZG Art. 64 Abs. 1
“Wer ein Zollfreilager betreibt, braucht eine Bewilligung des BAZG.”
Swiss Customs Act (ZG); Customs Ordinance (ZV) (articles in refs), ZG Art. 65 Abs. 1
“Waren, die in einem Zollfreilager gelagert werden sollen, sind der zuständigen Zoll- stelle zur Einlagerung anzumelden und in das Zollfreilager zu verbringen.”
Swiss Customs Act (ZG); Customs Ordinance (ZV) (articles in refs), ZG Art. 65 Abs. 2
“In Zollfreilagern dürfen Waren beliebig lange gelagert werden.”
Swiss Customs Act (ZG); Customs Ordinance (ZV) (articles in refs), ZG Art. 66 Abs. 1
“Die Lagerhalterin oder der Lagerhalter muss über alle eingelagerten sensiblen Wa- ren Bestandesaufzeichnungen führen.”
Swiss Customs Act (ZG); Customs Ordinance (ZV) (articles in refs), ZV (SR 631.01, Stand 1 Oct 2024) Art. 178a Abs. 1
“Die anmeldepflichtige Person muss sensible Waren bei der Einlagerung ins Zollfrei- lager elektronisch anmelden.”
Swiss Customs Act (ZG); Customs Ordinance (ZV) (articles in refs), ZV Art. 182 Abs. 2
“Sie oder er muss zudem für sensible Waren eine Bestandesaufzeichnung führen.”
Swiss Customs Act (ZG); Customs Ordinance (ZV) (articles in refs), ZV Art. 184 Abs. 2
“Sie muss elektronisch geführt werden.”
Swiss Customs Act (ZG); Customs Ordinance (ZV) (articles in refs), ZV Anhang 2 Ziff. 5 (sensitive goods; the section id carries footnote 193 glued to the label)
“Perlen, Diamanten, Edelsteine, Schmucksteine, Edelmetalle und Edel- metallplattierungen sowie Waren daraus (ex Zolltarifkapitel 71)”
Swiss Customs Act (ZG); Customs Ordinance (ZV) (articles in refs), BAZG Richtlinie R-10-50 Ziff. 1.1 (levies not raised)
“Dabei wird auf das Erheben der Abgaben, auf deren Sicherstellung und auf die Anwendung handelspolitischer Massnahmen”
Swiss Customs Act (ZG); Customs Ordinance (ZV) (articles in refs), MWSTG Art. 23 Abs. 2 Ziff. 3bis
“die Lieferung von Gegenständen, die wegen Einlagerung in einem Zollfreilager (Art. 62-66 ZG) nachweislich im Inland unter Zollüberwachung standen und diesen Zollstatus nicht rückwirkend verloren haben”
Swiss Customs Act (ZG); Customs Ordinance (ZV) (articles in refs), Embrach
“Zürcher Freilager AG, GVZ Embraport”
Swiss Customs Act (ZG); Customs Ordinance (ZV) (articles in refs), Genève La Praille and Genève Aéroport
“Ports Francs et Entrepôts de Genève SA”
Swiss Customs Act (ZG); Customs Ordinance (ZV) (articles in refs), BAZG-VG (20 June 2025, not in force) Art. 64
“Zolllager sind vom BAZG zugelassene Orte im Zollgebiet”
Swiss Customs Act (ZG); Customs Ordinance (ZV) (articles in refs), BAZG-VG Art. 65 Abs. 2
“Als Zolllager können bewilligt werden:”
- 28
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
- 29
Release the bars from the refinery vault or free port against the owner's instruction and prepare the weight list (bar list), commercial invoice and packing list for the shipment
- Who
- Swiss refiner (melter/trade-assayer licence, LBMA Good Delivery-listed)
- Issues
- Outbound weight list / bar list; Commercial invoice to the foreign buyer; Packing list
StandardThe weight list is sourced to LBMA Annex C; commercial invoice and packing list are standard export practice, not read in a Swiss source.
LBMA Good Delivery Rules, Annex C (weight lists); Customs Act Arts. 62-66 (free ports)
- 30
Lodge the electronic export declaration in Passar (HS 7108; e-dec Export was usable only to end-2025); the declarant must make it binding and physically export the goods within 120 days of its acceptance in the IT system
- Who
- Swiss refiner (melter/trade-assayer licence, LBMA Good Delivery-listed)
- Issues
- Passar export declaration (HS 7108)
Official guidanceR-10-10 (valid 1 Jan 2026) cites Art. 25-29 ZG and Art. 79-83 ZV for the declaration duty, says declarations are electronic in principle, and sets the 120-day limit from acceptance in the IT system. R-10-10 held and read in full on 2026-09-28; the Customs Act and Ordinance texts themselves were not read. R-10-10 has no gold-specific rule.
Customs Act (ZG, SR 631.0); BAZG R-10-10, ZG Arts. 25-29 (as cited in R-10-10)
- 31
Receive the export assessment notice (Veranlagungsverfuegung Ausfuhr), the evidence that the goods were properly cleared for export
- Who
- Swiss refiner (melter/trade-assayer licence, LBMA Good Delivery-listed)
- Issues
- Veranlagungsverfuegung Ausfuhr
Official guidanceR-10-10 cites Art. 38 and 69 ZG and Art. 92 ZV for the export assessment notice and says it is evidence of proper assessment and of export for VAT. R-10-10 held and read in full on 2026-09-28.
Customs Act (ZG); BAZG R-10-10, ZG Arts. 38 and 69; ZV Art. 92 (as cited in R-10-10)
- 32
Treat the sale as a VAT-exempt export (supply of goods directly transported abroad) and keep the export assessment notice as evidence
- Who
- Swiss refiner (melter/trade-assayer licence, LBMA Good Delivery-listed)
- Needs
- Veranlagungsverfuegung Ausfuhr
Primary lawArt. 23(2) no. 1 read in the held MWSTG (Stand 1 Jan 2025, German wording current). Art. 23(3): direct export includes export into an open customs warehouse or a free port. Investment gold of at least 995 fineness is separately exempt with credit under Art. 23(2) no. 12 (see ch.tax-import-vat).
Federal VAT Act (MWSTG, SR 641.20), Art. 23(2) no. 1
- 33
Hand the sealed consignment to a secure valuables carrier and fly it out (Zurich or Geneva) under an air waybill
- Who
- Swiss refiner (melter/trade-assayer licence, LBMA Good Delivery-listed)
- Issues
- Air waybill (outbound)
UnverifiedCarrier practice. Cantonal licensing: in the Canton of Zurich "Sicherheitstransporte von Personen, Gütern und Wertsachen" require a licence under the Polizeigesetz, 9. Abschnitt (cantonal page, read by WebFetch 2026-09-28; PolG text not read). Geneva and other cantons not checked. No Swiss source read describes the outbound air leg for gold.
Taxes and fees
Customs duty on gold
0% HS 7108
Official guidanceAmount not confirmedImport VAT on gold
Exempt Gold and gold alloys under MWSTG Art. 23(2) Ziff. 12: (a) state-minted gold coins of tariff nos. 7118.9010, 9705.3100, 9705.3900; (b) investment gold of at least 995 fineness as cast bars bearing the fineness and the stamp of a recognised assayer-melter, or stamped plates; (c) granules of at least 995 packed and sealed by a recognised assayer-melter; (d) gold in raw form or semi-finished for refining or recovery, and gold waste and scrap; (e) alloys under (d) with 2% or more gold
Primary lawAmount not confirmedVAT Act (MWSTG, SR 641.20), Art. 53(1)(m) (import) with Art. 23(2) Ziff. 12
Controls
Banks identify the contracting party and beneficial owner for precious-metals trading and for cash transactions over CHF 15,000 (CDB 20; Form A, Form K).
CHF 15,000 cash
StandardAmount not confirmedCDB 20 (SBA), CDB Art. 4(2)(f)-(g), 7, 20-21, 27-28
Melt material imported from abroad for sale in Switzerland needs a formal import declaration; simplified and oral declarations are excluded in principle. A buyer or licensee who accepts melt material that has not been through customs breaches due diligence under the PMCA: fine up to CHF 2,000 per ca…
Official guidanceBAZG Merkblatt 'Annahme von Schmelzgut aus dem Ausland' (Jan 2024)
Commercial production of melt products (bars, plates, rods, granules made by melting precious metal or melt material) requires a melt licence; acting without it is punishable by a fine (EMKG Art. 48). Every melt product must bear the licence holder's stamp; melt products for resale must be assayed b…
Primary lawEMKG/PMCA (SR 941.31), Arts. 1(2), 24, 31(1), 32-33, 47, 48
Holders of a melter licence may accept melt material only from persons who can prove lawful acquisition, and must verify the customer's identity by a probative document such as a passport or identity card. Where origin is doubtful or the offer comes from unknown persons, origin must be clarified wit…
Primary lawPMCO/EMKV (articles in refs), EMKV (SR 941.311, Stand 1 Jan 2024) Art. 168a Abs. 1 (parsed into section sch-2)
“Der Inhaber einer Schmelzbewilligung darf Schmelzgut nur von Per-”
PMCO/EMKV (articles in refs), EMKV (SR 941.311, Stand 1 Jan 2024) Art. 168a Abs. 2 (parsed into section sch-2)
“Es muss die Identität des Kunden anhand eines beweiskräftigen Do- kumentes wie Pass oder Identitätskarte überprüfen.”
PMCO/EMKV (articles in refs), EMKV (SR 941.311, Stand 1 Jan 2024) Art. 168a Abs. 3 (parsed into section sch-2)
“Bestehen über die Herkunft der Ware Zweifel oder stammen die An- gebote von Unbekannten, so ist der Inhaber der Schmelzbewilligung verpflichtet, die Herkunft des Schmelzgutes besonders sorgfältig abzu- klären.”
PMCO/EMKV (articles in refs), EMKV (SR 941.311, Stand 1 Jan 2024) Art. 168b Abs. 1 (parsed into section sch-2)
“derlichen organisatorischen Massnahmen, um das Schmelzen von Schmelzgut unrechtmässiger Herkunft zu verhindern.”
PMCO/EMKV (articles in refs), EMKV (SR 941.311, Stand 1 Jan 2024) Art. 168b Abs. 2 (parsed into section sch-2)
“so ist die Ware durch den Inhaber der Schmelzbewilligung bis zur Klärung des Falles in unverändertem Zu- stand aufzubewahren.”
PMCO/EMKV (articles in refs), EMKV (SR 941.311, Stand 1 Jan 2024) Art. 168b Abs. 3 (parsed into section sch-2)
“Schmelzprodukten müssen während zehn Jahren aufbewahrt werden.”
PMCO/EMKV (articles in refs), EMKV (SR 941.311, Stand 1 Jan 2024) Art. 168c Abs. 1 (parsed into section sch-2)
“Der Inhaber einer Schmelzbewilligung muss über seine Ankäufe von Schmelzgut und Schmelzprodukten Buch führen.”
PMCO/EMKV (articles in refs), EMKV (SR 941.311, Stand 1 Jan 2024) Art. 168c Abs. 2 Bst. b (parsed into section sch-2)
“die in Artikel 168a Absatz 2 vorgeschriebenen Identifikations- nachweise;”
PMCO/EMKV (articles in refs), BAZG Schmelzen und Prüfen (Dec 2023) Ziff. 4.1.6 (restates Art. 168a)
“Er muss die Identität des Kunden anhand eines beweiskräftigen Dokumentes wie Pass oder Identitätskarte überprüfen und muss sich vor Ausführung des Auftrages den rechtmässigen Erwerb des Schmelzgutes durch den Auftraggeber nachweisen lassen.”
PMCO/EMKV (articles in refs), BAZG Schmelzen und Prüfen (Dec 2023) Ziff. 4.1.6 (restates Art. 168b Abs. 3)
“Die Dokumente über den Geschäftsverkehr mit Schmelzgut und Schmelzprodukten müssen während zehn Jahren aufbewahrt werden.”
PMCO/EMKV (articles in refs), BAZG Richtlinie R-247 (1 Jan 2023) Ziff. 3.3.2
“Bestehen Zweifel über die Herkunft des Materials oder in Bezug auf die Integrität des Kunden sind Bewilligungsinhaber verpflichtet, den Sachverhalt besonders sorgfältig abzuklären”
Purchase, import, transit and transport of gold (Annex 26) originating in Russia and exported from Russia after 4 Aug 2022, and of gold processed from it in third countries, are prohibited, as are related services (all kinds, including financial services, brokerage and technical assistance) and the …
Primary lawOrdinance of 4 March 2022 on measures in connection with the situation in Ukraine (SR 946.231.176.72), Art. 14d
Precious metals are 'sensitive goods' in free ports (Customs Ordinance Annex 2, as amended on 18 November 2015): the declarant must declare them electronically on entry into storage, and an electronic inventory record of them is kept per depositor and submitted by the warehouse keeper to customs on …
Primary lawCustoms Ordinance (ZV) as amended on 18 November 2015 (articles in refs), AS 2015 4917, ZV Anhang 2 (sensitive goods) as amended
“Anhang 2 wird wie folgt geändert:”
Customs Ordinance (ZV) as amended on 18 November 2015 (articles in refs), ZV Anhang 2 Ziff. 5: precious metals ex tariff chapter 71
“Perlen, Diamanten, Edelsteine, Schmucksteine, Edelmetalle und Edel- metallplattierungen sowie Waren daraus (ex Zolltarifkapitel 71)”
Customs Ordinance (ZV) as amended on 18 November 2015 (articles in refs), AS 2015 4917 Ziff. IV: in force
“Diese Verordnung tritt am 1. Januar 2016 in Kraft.”
Customs Ordinance (ZV) as amended on 18 November 2015 (articles in refs), ZV Art. 178a Abs. 1: electronic declaration on entry into the free port
“Die anmeldepflichtige Person muss sensible Waren bei der Einlagerung ins Zoll- freilager elektronisch anmelden.”
Customs Ordinance (ZV) as amended on 18 November 2015 (articles in refs), ZV Art. 185: inventory record per depositor
“Die Bestandesaufzeichnung für sensible Waren ist je Einlagererin oder je Einlagerer zu führen.”
Customs Ordinance (ZV) as amended on 18 November 2015 (articles in refs), ZV Art. 184 Abs. 2: kept electronically
“Sie muss elektronisch geführt werden.”
Customs Ordinance (ZV) as amended on 18 November 2015 (articles in refs), ZV Art. 184 Abs. 3bis: warehouse keeper submits it on request
“Auf Verlangen muss die Lagerhalterin oder der Lagerhalter der EZV die”
Customs Ordinance (ZV) as amended on 18 November 2015 (articles in refs), AS 2015 4917, ZV Art. 246a: amendment date
“Übergangsbestimmungen zur Änderung vom 18. November 2015”
Customs Ordinance (ZV) as amended on 18 November 2015 (articles in refs), BAZG R-10-50 (1 Jul 2025) s.1.3.1: export goods count as sensitive goods
“Ausfuhrwaren gelten als sensible Waren”
Customs Ordinance (ZV) as amended on 18 November 2015 (articles in refs), R-10-50 s.4.1: inventory records over all sensitive goods
“Bestandesaufzeichnungen nach den Grundsätzen der ordnungsgemässen Buchführung”
Cash threshold for dealers in goods (anti-money laundering)
Primary lawGwG Art. 8a(1)
“Händlerinnen und Händler nach Artikel 2 Absatz 1 Buchstabe b müssen folgende”
GwG Art. 8a(1)(a)
“Identifizierung der Vertragspartei (Art. 3 Abs. 1);”
Cash threshold for dealers in gold (anti-money laundering)
Primary lawGwG Art. 8a(1)
“Händlerinnen und Händler nach Artikel 2 Absatz 1 Buchstabe b müssen folgende”
GwG Art. 8a(1)(a)
“Identifizierung der Vertragspartei (Art. 3 Abs. 1);”
GwG Art. 8a(2bis)
“oder Edelsteinen beträgt die massgebende Schwelle im Sinne von Ab-”
EMKG Art. 1(1)
“Edelmetalle im Sinne dieses Gesetzes sind Gold, Silber, Platin und Palladium.”
Leg 4: China
Where the goods arrive
Pre-refined 995 bar (e.g. 'Dubai 995') → 999.9 kilobar
- 34
Hold the PBoC gold import/export qualification (bank that is an SGE financial member or market maker, or qualified mining group or refiner)
- Who
- Bank holding PBoC gold import/export qualification (SGE financial member or market maker)
Primary lawGold and Gold Products Import/Export Measures, Arts. 7, 8, 10
- 35
Apply to the PBoC for a permit for the batch: application form, import contract and (on repeat applications) nothing further unless details changed
- Who
- Bank holding PBoC gold import/export qualification (SGE financial member or market maker)
- Issues
- Gold and Gold Products Import/Export Application Form (《黄金及黄金制品进出口申请表》) with contract; Gold import/export contract (required with the permit application)
Primary lawGold and Gold Products Import/Export Measures, Art. 10
- 36
Examine (verification by two or more staff where needed) and decide within 20 working days; issue the permit, one per batch, usable within 40 working days
- Who
- People's Bank of China (permit issuer and reserve holder)
- Needs
- Gold and Gold Products Import/Export Application Form (《黄金及黄金制品进出口申请表》) with contract; Gold import/export contract (required with the permit application)
- Issues
- PBoC permit (import batch)
Primary lawGold and Gold Products Import/Export Measures, Arts. 3, 14-17
- 37
Pay the foreign seller through the bank under foreign-exchange rules
- Who
- Bank holding PBoC gold import/export qualification (SGE financial member or market maker)
- Needs
- Gold import/export contract (required with the permit application)
- Issues
- Import payment through an FX-authorised bank
Primary law[not-read] SAFE detailed goods-trade FX rules (current-account guidelines) not held; the FX Regulations require a genuine transaction basis checked by the bank.
Gold and Gold Products Import/Export Measures; FX Regulations, Measures art. 23; FX Regulations arts. 12, 14
- 38
Declare the gold to Customs (HS 7108) presenting the PBoC permit; import-stage VAT is exempt for gold (incl. standard gold) and gold ore
- Who
- Bank holding PBoC gold import/export qualification (SGE financial member or market maker)
- Needs
- PBoC permit (import batch); Export customs declaration accepted by the dispatching country's customs; Air waybill; Refiner's certificate for the bars it produced (serials, fineness, weights, year); Commercial invoice
- Issues
- Customs import declaration (进口货物报关单), HS 7108
Primary law[unconfirmed] Import duty rate for 7108 not held (cn.gap-tariff). [unconfirmed] Continuation of the import-stage VAT exemption after 1 Jan 2026 (cn.gap-import-vat-2026; MOF/GAC/SAT 2026 No. 17 read only in summary [summary]).
Gold and Gold Products Import/Export Measures; Customs Law; Caishui [2002] 142, Measures arts. 3, 17; Customs Law art. 24; Caishui 142 point 1
- 39
Register the imported gold on SGE and complete its first trade there (duty to balance domestic physical supply)
- Who
- Bank holding PBoC gold import/export qualification (SGE financial member or market maker)
- Needs
- Customs import declaration (进口货物报关单), HS 7108
- Issues
- SGE registration and first-trade record of imported gold; SGE Application for Load-In (Delivery Rules Annex 4 / Vault Measures Annex 3)
Primary lawGold and Gold Products Import/Export Measures, Art. 6
- 40
Report execution of the permit to the PBoC
- Who
- Bank holding PBoC gold import/export qualification (SGE financial member or market maker)
- Needs
- PBoC permit (import batch)
- Issues
- Report to PBoC on use of the import/export permit
Primary lawGold and Gold Products Import/Export Measures, Art. 19
- 41
Receive and assay doré or raw gold under the refining or purchase agreement
- Who
- SGE-accredited refiner (standard gold ingot / bar refiner)
- Needs
- Refining Agreement (fee schedule, assay/settlement formula); VAT-exempt sales invoice for non-standard gold or gold ore (producer sale)
UnverifiedChinese refiner intake practice not documented in sources read.
- 42
Refine into SGE standard ingots or bars (Au99.99 1 kg; Au99.95 3 kg; Au99.5 12.5 kg; Au100g/Au50g at 999.9) under the refiner's SGE accreditation
- Who
- SGE-accredited refiner (standard gold ingot / bar refiner)
- Form
- Doré bar - unstamped → 999.9 kilobar
Official guidanceSGE Detailed Delivery Rules; SGE Refiner Measures 2025, Delivery Rules Art. 11 and Annex 1; Refiner Measures arts. 2, 26-27
- 43
Issue the certificate of quality and packing list (bar list) for the bars
- Who
- SGE-accredited refiner (standard gold ingot / bar refiner)
- Issues
- Refiner's certificate of quality and packing list for SGE standard bars; Bar list (serials, weights, fineness)
Official guidanceSGE Detailed Delivery Rules, Art. 30
- 44
Open an FT account at a margin custodian bank and trade International Board contracts (iAu99.99, iAu99.5) in offshore RMB
- Who
- SGE international member or international client (SGEI, Shanghai FTZ)
- Issues
- Free Trade (FT) account statement in offshore RMB (SGEI)
Official guidanceSGE Member Management Measures (2026); SGEI Business Management Measures, Member Measures Arts. 3-4; SGEI Measures arts. 4, 20-21
- 45
Bring bars from abroad into an International Board vault (Customs-supervised, bonded) without a PBoC permit (exempt channel), through the vault's designated carrier and customs broker, giving SGE the invoice (incl. origin), packing list, bar list and non-wood packaging declaration; load-in needs SGE authorisation and bars from SGE-accredited or recognised international suppliers
- Who
- SGE international member or international client (SGEI, Shanghai FTZ)
- Needs
- Air waybill; Refiner's certificate for the bars it produced (serials, fineness, weights, year)
- Issues
- IB vault entry papers; SGE Application for Load-In (Delivery Rules Annex 4 / Vault Measures Annex 3)
Primary law[not-read] Customs' own entry formalities for the bonded zone (declaration form, supervision code) not held; the SGE guidelines say the vault's appointed customs broker files them.
Gold and Gold Products Import/Export Measures; SGE IB Vault Guidelines; SGE Vault Measures; Delivery Rules, Measures art. 20(2); Guidelines arts. 4-9; Vault Measures arts. 4, 12; Delivery Rules Art. 27 and Annex 2
- 46
Hold the bars in an International Board vault (3 bonded vaults: trading vaults in Shanghai (2) and Shenzhen (1); safekeeping vault in Shanghai). SGE's January 2026 fee schedule lists IB storage rates, while the IB page says storage and in/out fees are currently waived
- Who
- SGE designated vault / International Board certified vault operator
Official guidance[conflict] cn.div-conflict-ib-fees: fee schedule rates versus the waiver stated on the IB page.
SGE Vault Measures; SGE fee schedule (Jan 2026), Vault Measures Art. 3
- 47
Withdraw for re-export abroad (exempt channel: invoice and SGE withdrawal papers; carrier appointed by the vault) or for entry into the domestic market (only by a member or client holding the gold import/export qualification, with the PBoC permit copy 1 and a customs import declaration); the destination is reported to SGE and Customs
- Who
- SGE international member or international client (SGEI, Shanghai FTZ)
- Issues
- SGE Application for Load-Out and Application of Take-delivery
Primary lawGold and Gold Products Import/Export Measures; SGE IB Vault Guidelines; Delivery Rules; Vault Measures, Measures arts. 4, 20; Guidelines arts. 10-12, 17-19; Delivery Rules Art. 42; Vault Measures Arts. 17-18
- 48
Deposit bars at an SGE designated vault through a registered designated deposit person, with the Load-In application (3 copies), quality certificate and packing list; the vault checks gross weight (tolerance ±0.1 g for ingots, ±0.05 g for bars) and accepts only bars from SGE-accredited refiners or suppliers accredited by an SGE-recognised international market
- Who
- SGE comprehensive member (producer, processor, jeweller or trader)
- Needs
- Refiner's certificate of quality and packing list for SGE standard bars; Bar list (serials, weights, fineness)
- Issues
- SGE Application for Load-In (Delivery Rules Annex 4 / Vault Measures Annex 3)
Official guidanceSGE Detailed Delivery Rules; Vault Measures, Delivery Rules Arts. 11, 29-31; Vault Measures Art. 4
- 49
Sell standard gold on SGE; the seller's sale is VAT-exempt (it invoices the exchange with an ordinary invoice against the exchange's settlement invoice); while no physical delivery out of the vault takes place, the exchange's sale is also exempt and the buyer receives a settlement invoice (结算发票) only
- Who
- SGE comprehensive member (producer, processor, jeweller or trader)
- Needs
- SGE Application for Load-In (Delivery Rules Annex 4 / Vault Measures Annex 3)
- Issues
- SGE trade and clearing record
Primary lawMOF/SAT Announcement 2025 No. 11; SAT Announcement 2025 No. 23, 2025 No. 11 point 1; SAT No. 23 point 1
- 50
Buyer (member or client) applies through the member platform to take delivery and presents the Load-Out application, take-delivery application and withdrawer's ID at the vault
- Who
- SGE institutional client (e.g. jewellery manufacturer) trading through a member
- Needs
- SGE trade and clearing record
- Issues
- SGE Application for Load-Out and Application of Take-delivery
Official guidanceSGE Detailed Delivery Rules, Arts. 37, 43, 45
- 51
On delivery out of the vault to a member that declared investment use on the delivery-out slip, the exchange's sale is subject to VAT levied and immediately refunded to the exchange (urban construction tax and education surcharges exempt) and SGE issues the member a VAT special invoice labelled 会员单位投资性黄金
- Who
- Shanghai Gold Exchange (and SGEI)
- Needs
- SGE Application for Load-Out and Application of Take-delivery
- Issues
- SGE VAT special invoice labelled 会员单位投资性黄金 (member withdrawal for investment use)
Primary lawMOF/SAT Announcement 2025 No. 11; SAT Announcement 2025 No. 23, 2025 No. 11 points 1(1), 5, 7; SAT No. 23 point 2(1)-(2)
- 52
Deduct the input VAT shown on the SGE special invoice after use confirmation on the tax platform; onward sales of the gold, or of investment gold products made from it, are invoiced with ordinary invoices only (no special invoices, except legal gold coins)
- Who
- SGE comprehensive member (producer, processor, jeweller or trader)
- Needs
- SGE VAT special invoice labelled 会员单位投资性黄金 (member withdrawal for investment use)
- Issues
- Member's input-VAT deduction on the SGE special invoice (VAT return schedule 2, after use confirmation)
Primary lawSAT Announcement 2025 No. 23; MOF/SAT Announcement 2025 No. 11, SAT No. 23 point 2(3)-(4); 2025 No. 11 point 1(1)
- 53
On delivery out of the vault for non-investment use (declared on the delivery slip), or to a client, the exchange's sale is exempt and SGE issues an ordinary invoice labelled 会员单位非投资性黄金 or 客户标准黄金; a general-taxpayer buyer computes input VAT at 6% of the invoice amount
- Who
- Shanghai Gold Exchange (and SGEI)
- Needs
- SGE Application for Load-Out and Application of Take-delivery
- Issues
- SGE VAT ordinary invoice labelled 会员单位非投资性黄金 or 客户标准黄金 (non-investment use or client withdrawal)
Primary lawMOF/SAT Announcement 2025 No. 11; SAT Announcement 2025 No. 23, 2025 No. 11 point 1(2)-(3); SAT No. 23 points 3-4
- 54
Report the change of use to the exchange before it happens and apply, once, within 6 months, to change the declared use; red-letter invoice reversal and re-issue
- Who
- SGE comprehensive member (producer, processor, jeweller or trader)
- Issues
- Application to change declared use (investment / non-investment), once within 6 months
Primary lawMOF/SAT Announcement 2025 No. 11, Point 8
- 55
Sell onward (bars or jewellery) charging VAT at 13%; gold jewellery also bears consumption tax of 5% at retail, on the sales value excluding VAT
- Who
- SGE institutional client (e.g. jewellery manufacturer) trading through a member
Primary law[unconfirmed] Later changes to the consumption-tax rate table not checked.
VAT Law; Consumption Tax Regulations; Caishui [1994] 95, VAT Law art. 10(1); Consumption Tax rate table item 4.1; Caishui [1994] 95 points 1-2, 7
Taxes and fees
Consumption tax on gold jewellery
5% Gold jewellery at retail
Primary lawAmount not confirmedConsumption Tax Regulations; Caishui [1994] 95, Rate table item 4.1; Caishui [1994] 95 points 1-4, 7
Export of gold-containing goods: VAT-exempt without refund
VAT-exempt (no export refund; input VAT not refunded) Goods containing gold or platinum listed in annex 8, incl. HS 71081100, 71081200, 71081300 and 71082000; diamonds and diamond jewellery
Primary lawMOF/SAT Announcement 2026 No. 11, Art. 6(1)1(4)
No export VAT rebate on gold
No rebate on gold; for gold jewellery only the processing value added is rebated
Primary lawCaishui [2002] 142 point 3, replaced by Guoshuifa [2005] 125, Point 3
Import customs duty on unwrought gold (HS 7108)
UnverifiedImport-stage VAT on gold and gold ore
Exempt Imported gold (incl. standard gold) and gold ore
Primary lawAmount not confirmedCaishui [2002] 142, Point 1
VAT on standard gold sold off-exchange
13% (standard VAT rate on goods) Standard gold not sold through SGE or SHFE
Primary lawAmount not confirmedMOF/SAT Announcement 2025 No. 11 point 2; VAT Law, 2025 No. 11 point 2; VAT Law art. 10(1)
Earlier VAT regime for SGE members' sales of standard gold (Caishui [2002] 142 point 2)
No physical delivery: exempt; physical delivery: the tax authority issued a special invoice at the actual price and VAT was levied and immediately refunded, with urban construction tax and education surcharges exempt (for sales through the exchange with its settlement voucher)
Primary lawCaishui [2002] 142, Point 2
VAT on standard gold withdrawn by a member for investment use
VAT levied and immediately refunded to the exchange (即征即退), urban construction tax and education surcharges exempt; the exchange issues the member a special invoice (label 会员单位投资性黄金) whose VAT the member deducts; the member's onward sales carry ordinary invoices only Member withdrawals for direct sale or processing into 99.5%+ bars, ingots or legal gold coins
Primary lawMOF/SAT Announcement 2025 No. 11; SAT Announcement 2025 No. 23, 2025 No. 11 points 1(1), 5; SAT No. 23 point 2
VAT on SGE / SHFE trades of standard gold without physical delivery
Exempt: the seller's sale to the exchange, and the exchange's sale while no physical delivery takes place; the buyer receives a settlement invoice (结算发票) Standard gold (AU99.99/99.95/99.9/99.5; 50 g, 100 g, 1 kg, 3 kg, 12.5 kg) traded on the exchange
Primary lawAmount not confirmedMOF/SAT Announcement 2025 No. 11; SAT Announcement 2025 No. 23, 2025 No. 11 point 1; SAT No. 23 point 1
VAT on standard gold withdrawn for non-investment use or by a client
Exempt at the exchange (ordinary invoice); general-taxpayer buyer deducts input VAT at 6%; onward sales taxed normally with special invoices Jewellery, industrial and other non-investment uses; all client withdrawals
Primary lawAmount not confirmedMOF/SAT Announcement 2025 No. 11; SAT Announcement 2025 No. 23, 2025 No. 11 point 1(2)-(3); SAT No. 23 points 3-4
VAT on producers' sales of non-standard gold and gold ore
Exempt Sales of gold other than standard gold, and gold ore (incl. associated gold), by gold producers and dealers
Primary lawAmount not confirmedCaishui [2002] 142, Point 1
VAT on gold producers' and dealers' sales of non-standard gold and gold ore (2026-2027)
Exempt Sales of gold other than standard gold (AU9999, AU9995, AU999, AU995 in 50 g, 100 g, 1 kg, 3 kg, 12.5 kg) and of gold ore (incl. associated gold) by gold producers and dealers
Primary lawAmount not confirmedMOF/SAT Announcement 2026 No. 10, 二(二)24
Controls
No permit is needed for processing trade, for movements between special customs supervision areas/bonded sites and abroad or between such areas, or for repair, return and temporary import/export; Customs supervises them.
Primary lawGold and Gold Products Import/Export Measures, Art. 20
Special preventive measures: for persons on the counter-terrorism list, the Foreign Ministry notices implementing UN Security Council targeted financial sanctions, and the PBoC high-risk list, institutions must immediately stop services and restrict transfers of funds and assets and report to the PB…
Primary lawAML Law 2024; PBoC PM AML Measures; Anti-Foreign Sanctions Law, AML Law art. 40; Measures art. 27; AFSL arts. 11-12
Mining without a mining right: ordered to stop; confiscation of tools, equipment and the minerals taken; fine of 3 to 5 times the market value of the minerals illegally extracted, or RMB 100,000 to 1,000,000 where nothing was extracted or the value is under RMB 100,000; suspension if the activity co…
Primary lawMineral Resources Law 2024, Art. 64
Dealers in precious-metal spot trading are specific non-financial institutions (AML Law art. 64(3)). Under the PBoC Measures (in force 1 Aug 2025) they must run AML controls, assess risk at least every 3 years, carry out CDD incl. beneficial owners on cash of RMB 100,000 or more, report large cash t…
Cash of RMB 100,000 single or daily cumulative (Measures arts. 2, 15, 24)
Primary lawAmount not confirmedAML Law 2024; PBoC PM AML Measures; Import/Export Measures, AML Law arts. 34, 64; Measures arts. 2, 13-16, 24-26, 38; Import/Export Measures art. 22
SGE deposit and delivery accept only standard ingots/bars from SGE-accredited refiners, or from suppliers accredited by an SGE-recognised international market. The Delivery Rules (Annex 2) and the overseas criteria name LBMA Good Delivery refiners; overseas refiners can also be accredited directly (…
Official guidanceSGE Detailed Delivery Rules; SGE Vault Measures; SGE Refiner Measures and Overseas Criteria, Delivery Rules Art. 11 and Annex 2; Vault Measures Art. 4; Overseas Criteria arts. 6, 19
Exports of unwrought gold are subject to the same PBoC qualification and per-batch permit; the export is VAT-exempt without refund (MOF/SAT 2026 No. 11 art. 6 and annex 8).
Primary lawGold and Gold Products Import/Export Measures, Arts. 3, 8
Foreign-exchange receipts and payments arising from gold imports and exports follow SAFE rules (Measures art. 23): current-account payments are unrestricted but need a genuine, lawful transaction basis checked by the bank and are made against valid documents (FX Regulations arts. 5, 12, 14); receipt…
Primary lawGold and Gold Products Import/Export Measures; FX Regulations, Measures art. 23; FX Regulations arts. 5, 9, 12, 14
Import and export of gold and gold products in the PBoC catalogue need a PBoC permit presented to Customs: one permit per batch, used within 40 working days, only for entities holding the PBoC qualification; the PBoC may restrict quantities for macro-economic reasons (art. 3). No other channel is la…
Every batch
Primary lawGold and Gold Products Import/Export Measures; Customs Law, Measures arts. 3, 4, 8, 17, 21; Customs Law art. 24
Gold carried into China by travellers is not limited in quantity but must be declared to Customs; gold may be carried out only against a PBoC certificate or up to the quantity declared on entry (Gold and Silver Regulations arts. 25-26). The Import/Export Measures (art. 4) leave rules for individuals…
Primary lawGold and Silver Regulations (rev. 2011); Import/Export Measures, Regulations arts. 25-26; Measures art. 4
Qualified importers/exporters must help balance domestic physical supply; imported gold must be registered and first traded on the State Council-approved gold spot exchange (SGE).
Primary lawGold and Gold Products Import/Export Measures, Art. 6
Import and export of national gold reserves are handled only by the PBoC; gold coins (incl. commemorative) only by an institution the PBoC designates (Measures art. 5). Gold coins are minted and issued only by the PBoC (Gold and Silver Regulations art. 21).
Primary lawGold and Gold Products Import/Export Measures, Art. 5
Leg 5: Russia
Back in the origin country: the proceeds of the export
- 56
Receive payment through an authorised bank; the statutory repatriation duty (173-FZ art. 19(1)(1)) applies to rouble-priced contracts but not, under art. 19(8), to FX-priced gold contracts; foreign currency credited under the contract is subject to mandatory sale in the share set by the Government Commission (Decree 79 para 2)
- Who
- Licensed exporter (mining company, refiner or bank holding a Minpromtorg export licence)
- Issues
- Receipt of export proceeds
Primary law[inferred] Exemption of FX-priced gold contracts read from the absence of 7108 in the art. 19(8) list. [unconfirmed] The current mandatory-sale share is not in a legal act found. Western bank channels are largely closed by sanctions (OFAC FAQ 1029).
Federal Law 173-FZ art. 19; Presidential Decrees 79 and 430, art. 19
Crossings between countries
Russia → United Arab Emirates Researched
Papers that cross: 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
United Arab Emirates → Switzerland Researched
Papers that cross: Dubai Customs declaration filed online (for goods entering a free zone: "FZ Transit In"); Disclosure of precious metals crossing the UAE border (cargo included); Refiner outturn/assay report; Manufacturer certificate accompanying UAEGD bars (states year of manufacture if not stamped); Output record: unique reference, refiner name and stamp, year for each bar; UAE Certificate of Origin / re-export documentation (Dubai Chambers); Dubai Customs export/re-export declaration; Air waybill, Dubai -> Zurich/Geneva
Switzerland → China 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)
Paperwork gaps
ae.st-21 expects Pre-shipment notification to refiner/buyer; the earlier legs don't model this paper