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Brazil [financial-asset gold (BCB-authorised institution)] → Russian Federation → United Arab Emirates (refine) → Switzerland (refine) · Bank onboarding, title transfer and settlement

Public law and official guidance, published as research. Not legal, tax or financial advice.

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Brazil (Doré bar - unstamped) ⟶ 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') → LBMA Good Delivery 400oz bar)

Not researched: Brazil → Russia

Leg 1: Brazil

Where the goods start

  1. 1

    Send the gold from the PCO to head office or the refinery with an NF-e Ouro remittance note, by secure carrier

    Who
    BCB-authorised financial institution buying gold (DTVM) and its purchase post (PCO)
    Needs
    NF-e Ouro - first acquisition of gold from a PLG
    Issues
    NF-e Ouro - remittance note (PCO to head office/refinery)
    Primary law
    • IN RFB 2.138/2023; Lei 7.766/1989, IN art. 3 V b-c; Lei 7.766 art. 3 §1

  2. 2

    Refine buttons or doré into 999.9 bars and issue a bar list; the refiner covers the return of the gold with an NF-e Ouro (IN RFB 2.138 art. 3 §2).

    Who
    Domestic gold refinery
    Needs
    NF-e Ouro - remittance note (PCO to head office/refinery)
    Issues
    Domestic refiner's bar list / certificate
    Form
    Smelted button/bar → 999.9 kilobar
    Industry practice

    Refining to 999.9 is practice; only the return invoice (IN art. 3 §2) is law.

  3. 3

    Sell gold to another institution or client and issue an NF-e Ouro (negotiation); no further IOF-ouro (it falls only on first acquisition)

    Who
    BCB-authorised financial institution buying gold (DTVM) and its purchase post (PCO)
    Issues
    NF-e Ouro - negotiation between institutions
    Primary law
    • IN RFB 2.138/2023; Lei 7.766/1989, IN art. 3; Lei 7.766 art. 8

  4. 4

    Contract the export sale and close the FX contract with an FX-authorised institution; the gold as exchange instrument is traded only with authorised institutions, supervised foreign institutions or the BCB; the FX contract is a required attachment of the e-DMOV. Proceeds may be received before or after shipment and may be kept abroad.

    Who
    Authorised institution exporting gold as a financial asset / exchange instrument
    Issues
    Contrato de câmbio (FX contract); Commercial invoice
    Primary law
    • Lei 14.286/2021; Resolução BCB 277/2022; IN RFB 1.082/2010, Lei 14.286 art. 3; Res. 277 arts 46, 66 §2; IN 1.082 art. 4 II c

  5. 5

    Issue the NF-e Ouro Ativo Financeiro for the export (DAO operation 5), recording the e-DMOV number and the domestic transporters.

    Who
    Authorised institution exporting gold as a financial asset / exchange instrument
    Needs
    NF-e Ouro - first acquisition of gold from a PLG
    Issues
    NF-e Ouro - export of gold (financial asset / exchange instrument); Packing list
    Primary law
    • IN RFB 2.138/2023, art. 3 III

  6. 6

    Book the shipment with the airline, which issues the air waybill for the valuable cargo (the e-DMOV must attach the international transport document, IN RFB 1.082 art. 4 II a); after boarding, the carrier records the boarding data in the e-DMOV within 2 days (art. 23).

    Who
    Valuables carrier (PF-authorised domestic transporter) and international air carrier
    Needs
    Packing list
    Issues
    Air waybill; Consignment Security Declaration
    Primary law

    Acceptance as valuable cargo and the consignment security declaration are industry practice.

    • IN RFB 1.082/2010, arts 4 II a, 23

  7. 7

    File the e-DMOV de saída with a digital certificate, attaching the international transport document, packing list, FX contract and the sales invoice, with the sealed volumes at the declared verification place; on registration (active CNPJ, PF-authorised domestic transporter, authorised international carrier) the Receita Federal selects a channel and schedules physical verification; clearance follows an RVES or RVFV without blocking discrepancies; gold with irregular fiscal documents is seized.

    Who
    Authorised institution exporting gold as a financial asset / exchange instrument
    Needs
    Contrato de câmbio (FX contract); NF-e Ouro - export of gold (financial asset / exchange instrument); Air waybill; Packing list
    Issues
    e-DMOV de saída (gold as financial asset); RVES / RVFV - customs security-element and physical verification reports in the e-DMOV
    Primary law

    [conflict] br.div-edmov-invoice-conflict: IN 1.082 art. 4 II e and the RFB e-DMOV page still name the "Modelo VI" invoice of IN SRF 49/2001, which IN RFB 2.138 revoked (effective 1 Aug 2023); the model takes the NF-e Ouro (export) as the invoice attached.

    • IN RFB 1.082/2010; Lei 7.766/1989, IN arts 1, 3 §2, 4 II, 9, 10, 11 §2, 19, 21 III; Lei 7.766 art. 3 §2

  8. 8

    Send the pre-shipment notice (weights, fineness, AWB) to the foreign refiner or buyer

    Who
    Authorised institution exporting gold as a financial asset / exchange instrument
    Needs
    Air waybill
    Issues
    Pre-shipment notification to refiner/buyer
    Industry practice

Taxes and fees

  • CFEM (Compensação Financeira pela Exploração de Recursos Minerais) on gold

    1.5% Gold ore, doré, garimpo gold

    Primary lawAmount not confirmed
    • Lei 8.001/1990 as amended by Lei 13.540/2017, art. 2, 2-A, Anexo

  • Export duty (Imposto de Exportação) on gold

    None on gold as financial asset (only IOF applies, CF art. 153 §5); on gold as merchandise, only if CAMEX lists it (not confirmed)

    Primary lawAmount not confirmed
    • CF art. 153 §5; Decreto 6.759/2009, Decreto 6.759 arts 212 §2, 215

  • Income tax on gains from gold operations

    Capital gains on gold financial-asset operations, taxed as financial-market income

    Primary law
    • Lei 7.766/1989, art. 13

  • IOF-ouro (tax on gold as financial asset)

    1% Gold as financial asset or exchange instrument, on first acquisition only; the sole tax on such gold

    Primary lawAmount not confirmed
    • Lei 7.766/1989; Decreto 6.306/2007; Lei 11.196/2005; CF art. 153 §5, Lei 7.766 arts 4, 8-10; Decreto 6.306 arts 36-40; Lei 11.196 art. 70 II a

  • IOF on the FX operation bringing in export receipts

    0% Export proceeds converted into reais

    Primary lawAmount not confirmed
    • Decreto 6.306/2007, art. 15-B I

Controls

  • No repatriation or surrender requirement: exporters may keep foreign-currency export proceeds abroad (Lei 11.371 art. 1); receipts may arrive before or after shipment, including by credit to an account abroad of the authorised institution (Res. BCB 277 art. 46).

    Primary law
    • Lei 11.371/2006 art. 1, as reworded by Lei 14.286/2021 art. 26

  • PLGs only for Brazilian citizens or garimpeiro cooperatives (Lei 7.805 art. 5); research authorisations and mining concessions only for Brazilians, companies under Brazilian law with head office and administration in Brazil, or cooperatives (CF art. 176 §1; Decreto 9.406 arts 16, 30).

    Primary law
    • Lei 7.805/1989; CF art. 176 §1, Lei 7.805 art. 5

  • Extracting Union minerals without a title is a crime: usurpation, 1-5 years, with the same penalty for whoever acquires, transports, holds or sells the product (Lei 8.176 art. 2 §1); mining without authorisation also carries 6 months-1 year (Lei 9.605 art. 55) and seizure of the product (Lei 7.805 …

    Primary law
    • Lei 8.176/1991; Lei 9.605/1998; Lei 7.805/1989, Lei 8.176 art. 2; Lei 9.605 art. 55; Lei 7.805 art. 21

      “Art. 2° Constitui crime contra o patrimônio, na modalidade de usurpacão, produzir bens ou explorar matéria-prima pertencentes à União, sem autorização legal ou em desacordo com as obrigações impostas pelo título autorizativo. Pena: detenção, de um a cinco anos e multa. § 1° Incorre na mesma pena aquele que, sem autorização legal, adquirir, transportar, industrializar, tiver consigo, consumir ou comercializar produtos ou matéria-prima, obtidos na forma prevista no caput deste artigo.”

  • Persons buying and selling gold as financial asset (Lei 9.613 art. 9 II) and dealers in precious metals (art. 9 parágrafo único XI) must identify clients, keep records (at least 5 years), register with their regulator or COAF and report to COAF (arts 10-11); BCB-authorised institutions follow Circ…

    Primary law
    • Lei 9.613/1998; Circular BCB 3.978/2020, Lei 9.613 arts 9-11

  • No ban on paying for gold in cash was found in the law in force. BCB-authorised institutions record cash operations above R$2,000 with the bearer's CPF (Circular 3.978 art. 33) and report to COAF, by the next business day, cash deposits, withdrawals and payments of R$50,000 or more (art. 49). PL 3.0…

    R$2,000 (record); R$50,000 (COAF report)

    Primary lawAmount not confirmed
    • Circular BCB 3.978/2020, arts 33, 49

  • Every exit and entry of gold as financial asset is made by the BCB or an authorised institution, with a PF-authorised domestic transporter, under an e-DMOV; exit always gets a scheduled physical verification (IN RFB 1.082 art. 11 §2); gold with irregular fiscal documents is seized (art. 21 III).

    Primary law
    • IN RFB 1.082/2010, arts 1, 11 §2, 19, 21

      “§ 2º O controle referido no caput será processado com base na Declaração Eletrônica de Movimentação Física Internacional de Valores (e-DMOV).”

  • Gold as financial asset may be bought at first acquisition only by BCB-authorised institutions (Lei 7.766 art. 1; IN RFB 2.138 art. 3 I), whose acquisition invoice proves the purchase (Lei 12.844 art. 39 II); regularly constituted garimpeiro cooperatives may buy at origin and must resell to the BCB …

    Primary law
    • Lei 7.766/1989; Lei 12.844/2013; Lei 11.685/2008, Lei 7.766 arts 1-2; Lei 12.844 art. 39 II; Lei 11.685 art. 9

  • All gold financial-asset operations and their transport must be covered by fiscal documents; irregular gold is seized by the Receita Federal (Lei 7.766 art. 3; Decreto 6.306 arts 46, 56). Since 1 Aug 2023 the document is the NF-e Ouro Ativo Financeiro; an invoice with inaccurate data is inidônea (I…

    Primary law
    • Lei 7.766/1989; IN RFB 2.138/2023, Lei 7.766 art. 3; IN arts 1 §1, 3, 6

  • Before its first acquisition, garimpo gold may be transported only within the gold-producing region (the geological province of the same gold mineralisation where the workings are) up to an authorised buyer.

    Primary law
    • Lei 12.844/2013, art. 38 §§2, 5

  • The presumption of legality of the gold and of the buyer's good faith once the seller's documents were filed (Lei 12.844 art. 39 §4) was suspended by the STF in ADI 7.345 (interim order quoted in the EMI of PL 3.025/2023, which also ordered the Executive to adopt within 90 days a new framework for …

    Primary law
    • STF ADI 7.345 and 7.273; IN BCB 406/2023, IN BCB 406 art. 2

  • Mining in Indigenous lands requires Congress authorisation (CF art. 231 §3), the garimpeiro-cooperative priority of art. 174 §§3-4 does not apply there (art. 231 §7), and a PLG does not apply to Indigenous lands (Lei 7.805 art. 23 a). Gold from garimpo in Indigenous lands cannot be lawfully prod…

    Primary law
    • Constituição Federal; Lei 7.805/1989, CF art. 231 §§3, 7; Lei 7.805 art. 23 a

      “§ 7º Não se aplica às terras indígenas o disposto no art. 174, § 3º e § 4º”

Leg 2: Russia

On the way

  1. 9

    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)

  2. 10

    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

  3. 11

    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

  4. 12

    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
  5. 13

    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
  6. 14

    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

  7. 15

    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)

  8. 16

    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

  9. 17

    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

  10. 18

    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 3: United Arab Emirates

On the way

Doré bar - unstamped → Pre-refined 995 bar (e.g. 'Dubai 995')

  1. 19

    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)

  2. 20

    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)

  3. 21

    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)

  4. 22

    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)

  5. 23

    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 law
    • UAE 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

  6. 24

    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 practice

    Specific weighing/sampling/fire-assay methodology not published in any UAE-specific source found

  7. 25

    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)

  8. 26

    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 law

    The 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

  9. 27

    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.

  10. 28

    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 law

    Unresolved: 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)

  11. 29

    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 law
    • Federal 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)

  12. 30

    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 practice

    CAR 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 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 4: Switzerland

Where the goods arrive

Pre-refined 995 bar (e.g. 'Dubai 995') → LBMA Good Delivery 400oz bar

  1. 31

    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.”

  2. 32

    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

  3. 33

    Weigh-in, seal-check, drill/dip-sample, fire-assay (ASTM E1335/ISO 11426) the incoming 995 bar

    Who
    Swiss refiner (melter/trade-assayer licence, LBMA Good Delivery-listed)
    Needs
    Refining/re-refining agreement, Swiss refiner; 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)
    Issues
    Refiner outturn/assay report (Switzerland); Purchase book: customer, ID proof, acceptance date, description and marking, weight on acceptance, weight after melting, completion
    Standard

    [unconfirmed] Weigh-in, seal check and ISO 11426 are not in the sources read; ASTM E1335-24 covers fire assay of bullion, and Valcambi describes fire assay of drillings from samples taken from the melt of the received material.

    • Fire assay standard practice

  4. 34

    Pay the Dubai counterparty for the imported bar once the Swiss refiner's own assay confirms fine content

    Who
    Swiss refiner (melter/trade-assayer licence, LBMA Good Delivery-listed)
    Needs
    Refiner outturn/assay report (Switzerland)
    Issues
    Final invoice from the Dubai seller (against Swiss outturn assay); Settlement wire, Swiss refiner -> Dubai counterparty
    Secondary
    • Refining/sale contract; SWIFT MT103

  5. 35

    Wohlwill electrolytic re-refine to 999.9, or cast directly to LBMA Good Delivery 400oz spec (995 min) if already qualifying

    Who
    Swiss refiner (melter/trade-assayer licence, LBMA Good Delivery-listed)
    Needs
    Refiner outturn/assay report (Switzerland)
    Form
    Pre-refined 995 bar (e.g. 'Dubai 995') → LBMA Good Delivery 400oz bar
    Standard

    [unconfirmed] Wohlwill electrolytic refining to 999.9 is industry practice not described in the Good Delivery Rules, which set only the bar specification (350-430 fine troy ounces, minimum fineness 995.0).

    • LBMA Good Delivery Rules (bar spec, marking)

  6. 36

    Stamp each bar with the melting-licence holder's stamp (Stempelzeichen); bars for resale are assayed by a control office or sworn trade assayer and marked with fineness and the assayer's mark; for LBMA Good Delivery bars also serial number, fineness to four figures and year

    Who
    Swiss refiner (melter/trade-assayer licence, LBMA Good Delivery-listed)
    Issues
    Bar list (serials, weights, fineness)
    Primary law

    Serial number and year are LBMA requirements, not Swiss law. The earlier wording "registered responsibility mark" was wrong for bars (that mark, EMKG Art. 9, applies to finished wares). EMKV marking articles (Arts. 169, 173) were read only as restated by the BAZG (Vorschriften Dec 2023, held); the EMKV text is not yet held.

    • PMCA (EMKG, SR 941.31); BAZG R-247; LBMA Good Delivery Rules, EMKG Art. 31(1); R-247 s.3.4.1; LBMA GD Rules s.2.1.7

  7. 37

    File annual LBMA RGG independent assurance report; and (if volume threshold met) CO 964j-l conflict-minerals public report

    Who
    Swiss refiner (melter/trade-assayer licence, LBMA Good Delivery-listed)
    Issues
    LBMA Responsible Gold Guidance annual assurance report; CO 964j-l conflict-minerals due-diligence public report
    Standard

    [time-limited] RGG v9 applies until RGG v10 takes effect: implementation 1 Jan-31 Dec 2027, first v10 audits for the reporting year ending 31 Dec 2027 (consultation closed 10 Jul 2026).

    • LBMA RGG v9; CO Art. 964j-964l

  8. 38

    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:”

  9. 39

    Identify contracting party and beneficial owner; assess source of wealth/funds for the specific bullion; sanctions/PEP screening

    Who
    Swiss bank (bullion buyer)
    Issues
    Bank KYC file (CDB 20): name, date of birth, nationality, domicile and ID for natural persons; company name, registered office and proof for entities; Form A - declaration of the beneficial owner of the assets; Form K - controlling persons with 25%+ of an operating entity (CDB 20 Art. 20-21)
    Standard

    Downgraded 2026-09-28 from primary-law: the provisions cited are CDB 20 (a self-regulatory agreement of the SBA, held and read for Arts. 4, 7, 20-21, 27-28); the AMLA itself was not read for this step. The SBA says the revised CDB will not be available until 1 Jan 2027 at the earliest. [unconfirmed] Source-of-wealth assessment and sanctions/PEP screening were not found in the CDB 20 text read. [time-limited] The GwG consolidation of 1 Oct 2026 amends the AMLA widely; effects not assessed.

    • AMLA; SBA Agreement on due diligence (CDB 20), CDB 20 Art. 4 (identification; precious-metals trading and cash transactions over CHF 15,000 are separate cases), Art. 7 (data recorded), Art. 20-21 (controlling persons 25%+, Form K), Art. 27-28 (beneficial owner, Form A)

  10. 40

    Seller presents bar list, refiner's assay certificate, chain-of-custody documentation, commercial invoice, proof of title

    Who
    Swiss bank (bullion buyer)
    Needs
    Bar list (serials, weights, fineness); Refiner outturn/assay report (Switzerland); Bank KYC file (CDB 20): name, date of birth, nationality, domicile and ID for natural persons; company name, registered office and proof for entities
    Issues
    Commercial invoice from the seller to the bank (VAT law requires one only if the buyer asks for it: MWSTG Art. 26(1); contents Art. 26(2); the sale of investment gold is VAT-exempt: Art. 23(2) Ziff. 12)
    Secondary

    A bar not from an LBMA Good-Delivery-listed refiner generally cannot be sold to a major bank without re-refining - this is market practice, not itself a statute Commercial invoice and delivery receipt are practice (no primary source); "proof of title" for allocated bars is the weight list plus the custody contract - no statutory title document found.

  11. 41

    Verify bars against the bank's accepted-refiner list / Good Delivery List; settle loco Zurich or loco London, allocated or unallocated

    Who
    Swiss bank (bullion buyer)
    Needs
    Bar list (serials, weights, fineness)
    Issues
    Settlement confirmation / custody account entry; Allocated account weight list (specific bars = ownership) or unallocated account statement (contractual claim only)
    Secondary
  12. 42

    Record the transaction and the clarifications made; retain the records for at least ten years after the end of the business relationship or completion of the transaction

    Who
    Swiss bank (bullion buyer)
    Needs
    Settlement confirmation / custody account entry
    Primary law

    The official fedlex consolidation of the GwG is now held on the server and the article was read there; this replaces the earlier reading on droit-bilingue.ch and fedlex by WebFetch. The ten-year retention is written in words in the law (zehn Jahren), so it is kept in words here and not as an amount: the verifier reads number words in English only.

    • Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA/GwG) (articles in refs), GwG Art. 7 Abs. 1 (records of transactions and clarifications)

      “Der Finanzintermediär muss über die getätigten Transaktionen und über die nach diesem Gesetz erforderlichen Abklärungen Belege so erstellen, dass fachkundige Dritte sich ein zuverlässiges Urteil über die Transaktionen und Geschäftsbeziehungen sowie über die Einhaltung der Bestimmungen dieses Gesetzes bilden können.”

    • Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA/GwG) (articles in refs), Art. 7 Abs. 3 (kept at least ten years)

      “Nach Beendigung der Geschäftsbeziehung oder nach Abschluss der Transaktion be- wahrt er die Belege mindestens während zehn Jahren auf.”

    • Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA/GwG) (articles in refs), Art. 2 Abs. 2 Bst. a (banks are financial intermediaries)

      “Finanzintermediäre sind: a.10 die Banken nach Artikel 1a des Bankengesetzes”

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 5: Brazil

Back in the origin country: the proceeds of the export

  1. 43

    Receive the foreign buyer's payment; the exporter may keep the foreign currency abroad or convert it through an FX contract

    Who
    Authorised institution exporting gold as a financial asset / exchange instrument
    Issues
    Foreign buyer's payment of export proceeds
    Primary law
    • Lei 11.371/2006 art. 1 as reworded by Lei 14.286/2021 art. 26; Resolução BCB 277/2022, Lei 14.286 art. 26; Res. 277 art. 46

Crossings between countries

  • Brazil → Russia Not researched

    Papers that cross: NF-e Ouro - remittance note (PCO to head office/refinery); Domestic refiner's bar list / certificate; NF-e Ouro - export of gold (financial asset / exchange instrument); Packing list; Air waybill; Consignment Security Declaration; e-DMOV de saída (gold as financial asset); RVES / RVFV - customs security-element and physical verification reports in the e-DMOV; Pre-shipment notification to refiner/buyer

  • 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

  • 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

Paperwork gaps

  • ru.st-31 expects Assay certificate (fineness and fine weight); the earlier legs don't model this paper