Colombia [RUCOM exporter (C.I.) or authorised exploiter exporting its own production] → Switzerland (refine) → United States · Sale by COMEX futures delivery

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

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Colombia (Doré bar - unstamped → Doré bar - stamped/exporter-sealed) ⟶ Switzerland (Doré bar - stamped/exporter-sealed → LBMA Good Delivery 400oz bar) ⟶ United States (LBMA Good Delivery 400oz bar)

Leg 1: Colombia

Where the goods start

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

1
Melt aggregated dust or doré into bars at a RUCOM plant/smelter (plants may only beneficiate minerals of authorised exploiters); weigh and assay; when the plant sells, it issues a certificado de origen de planta de beneficio listing the exploiters whose mineral it processed
Who
Beneficiation plant / smelter (planta de beneficio, casa fundidora)
Needs
PTM record of the first-sale transaction
Issues
Bar list / weight and assay of melted bars; Certificado de origen planta de beneficio (ANM format)
Form
Gold dust / nuggets → Smelted button/bar
Industry practice
Melting/assay is industry practice. The PTM "cierre por transformación" applies where the mineral becomes an industrial derivative closing the chain (ANM guide, Dec 2025), so melting into bars for sale is not recorded as a transformation [inferred]; r1 said it was.
- Ley 2250 de 2022 art 13; Decreto 1073 de 2015 art 2.2.5.6.1.1.4
2
Sell bars to the C.I./exporter with an electronic invoice and the chain of certificados de origen / declaraciones de producción; register the sale in the PTM
Who
Authorised mineral trader (comercializador de minerales autorizado, RUCOM)
Needs
Certificado de origen del explotador minero autorizado; Declaración de producción del minero de subsistencia (certificado de declaración de producción); RUCOM registration / listing
Issues
Electronic sales invoice from titleholder/trader; PTM record of a domestic trade or transformation
Primary law
- Decreto 1073 de 2015 arts 2.2.5.6.1.1.4 par 5, 2.2.5.6.4.3-2.2.5.6.4.5; Resolución ANM 759 de 2024
3
As C.I. buyer, withhold 2.5% income tax on the full payment (1% before 1 Jun 2025), issue the withholding certificate and the Certificado al Proveedor for gold bought for export
Who
Exporter: Sociedad de Comercialización Internacional (C.I.) or other RUCOM exporter
Needs
Electronic sales invoice from titleholder/trader
Issues
Certificado de retención en la fuente; Certificado al Proveedor (CP) issued by a C.I. company
Primary law
- Decreto 1625 de 2016, art 1.2.4.6.9 (as modified by Decreto 572 de 2025)
4
Report all domestic gold purchases and sales to UIAF every four months, within the first 10 calendar days after the cut-off (or an absence report)
Who
Exporter: Sociedad de Comercialización Internacional (C.I.) or other RUCOM exporter
Issues
UIAF reports of gold buy/sell and import/export operations (Anexos 2 and 3)
Primary law
- Resolución UIAF 363 de 2008, arts 4-5
5
Agree a sale contract with the foreign refiner/buyer (price by reference to the London gold price, provisional on assay)
Who
Exporter: Sociedad de Comercialización Internacional (C.I.) or other RUCOM exporter
Issues
Sale contract with the foreign refiner/buyer
Industry practice
No Colombian rule on pricing; general bullion practice.
6
Prepare the export lot: bar list with weights and fineness; for scrap (chatarra), obtain a certification from an authorised certification/inspection body
Who
Exporter: Sociedad de Comercialización Internacional (C.I.) or other RUCOM exporter
Needs
Electronic sales invoice from titleholder/trader
Issues
Bar list / weight and assay of melted bars; Certification by an authorised certification/inspection body that material is scrap (chatarra); Exporter's electronic invoice to foreign buyer
Form
Smelted button/bar → Doré bar - stamped/exporter-sealed
Official guidance
7
Confirm royalties on the lot are paid (royalty receipts / certificados de origen of suppliers) or pay them online to the ANM account; gold, silver and platinum without transformation need royalty proof before export
Who
Exporter: Sociedad de Comercialización Internacional (C.I.) or other RUCOM exporter
Needs
Certificado de origen del explotador minero autorizado; Declaración de producción del minero de subsistencia (certificado de declaración de producción)
Issues
Royalty payment receipt (comprobante de pago de regalías)
Primary law
Decreto 600/4479 quoted by ANM; text not held.
- Ley 2056 de 2020 art 186; Decreto 600 de 1996 art 20 (mod. Decreto 4479 de 2009), Ley 2056 art 186
8
File the export request to ANM through VUCE with the Excel "Reporte de información en la exportación" (SC-F-002: VUCE number, invoice data, HS subheading, each supplier's CO/declaración number and quantity, royalty liquidation and payments), certificados de origen / declaraciones de producción, traceability support of the commercial chain, sales invoice and royalty receipts; ANM decides within 3 business days in order of arrival (a return gives 3 days to cure, else rejection); the visto bueno is valid 3 months
Who
Exporter: Sociedad de Comercialización Internacional (C.I.) or other RUCOM exporter
Needs
Certificado de origen del explotador minero autorizado; Royalty payment receipt (comprobante de pago de regalías); Exporter's electronic invoice to foreign buyer; RUCOM registration / listing
Issues
Formulario de reporte de exportación (ANM Excel form); ANM export approval (royalty and lawful-origin validation)
Official guidance
[inferred] The export form version of 29 Aug 2025 still asks for the VUCE filing number; no ANM text read says the PTM replaced VUCE after May 2026.
- Ley 2056 de 2020 art 186; Decreto 4149 de 2004 (VUCE)
9
Close the chain in the PTM with a "cierre por venta final" marked as export (destination country and city, final buyer, codes and quantities copied from the balances e-mail, value); ANM validates the export report format against PTM data
Who
Exporter: Sociedad de Comercialización Internacional (C.I.) or other RUCOM exporter
Needs
ANM export approval (royalty and lawful-origin validation)
Issues
PTM record of the export transaction and closure
Primary law
- Resolución ANM 759 de 2024, arts 5, 10
10
File the solicitud de autorización de embarque (SAE) at the DIAN Dirección Seccional where the gold is located, describing the goods so that the royalty value can be established, with RUCOM registration and, for C.I. exporters, the Certificados al Proveedor; request physical inspection in the secondary zone before the SAE is accepted
Who
Exporter: Sociedad de Comercialización Internacional (C.I.) or other RUCOM exporter
Needs
ANM export approval (royalty and lawful-origin validation); Exporter's electronic invoice to foreign buyer; Bar list / weight and assay of melted bars; Certificado al Proveedor (CP) issued by a C.I. company
Issues
Solicitud de autorización de embarque (DIAN)
Primary law
- Decreto 1165 de 2019 arts 347, 348, 350, 352; Resolución DIAN 46 de 2019 arts 367 (mod. Res. 39/2021 art 132), 374, 375
11
Inspect physically in the secondary zone (exporter premises with calibrated measuring equipment, or an authorised valuables-transport company) at the latest the next business day; record net and fine weight and quality in the acta de inspección; seal the packages
Who
DIAN (customs and tax)
Needs
Solicitud de autorización de embarque (DIAN)
Issues
DIAN physical inspection / weighing record
Primary law
- Resolución DIAN 46 de 2019 arts 367, 389, 390
12
Embark through the same customs jurisdiction; the carrier transmits the manifest (within 24 h) and certifies embarkation; the declarant then presents the declaración de exportación definitiva electronically
Who
Exporter: Sociedad de Comercialización Internacional (C.I.) or other RUCOM exporter
Needs
Solicitud de autorización de embarque (DIAN); DIAN physical inspection / weighing record
Issues
Export declaration accepted by DIAN
Primary law
- Decreto 1165 de 2019 arts 362, 363; Resolución DIAN 46 de 2019 arts 367 num 5, 398, 400
13
Carry the gold by air to the foreign refiner under an air waybill
Who
Air carrier / secure logistics provider
Needs
Solicitud de autorización de embarque (DIAN); DIAN physical inspection / weighing record
Issues
Air waybill
Industry practice
14
Self-withhold 1.0% income tax on gross export proceeds of mineral products (not due where the exporter is a C.I. that already withheld at purchase)
Who
Exporter: Sociedad de Comercialización Internacional (C.I.) or other RUCOM exporter
Needs
Export declaration accepted by DIAN
Issues
Certificado de retención en la fuente
Primary law
- Decreto 1625 de 2016 as modified by Decreto 242 de 2024, art 1.2.4.10.12 and par. 1

Taxes and fees

Autorretención especial a título de renta, CIIU 0722 (extracción de oro y otros metales preciosos)
4.50% Income of gold extractors
Primary lawAmount not confirmed
- Decreto 1625 de 2016 as modified by Decreto 572 de 2025, art 1.2.6.8
Autorretención especial a título de renta, CIIU 0722 (previous rate)
2.40% Income of gold extractors
Primary lawAmount not confirmed
- Decreto 1625 de 2016 as modified by Decreto 242 de 2024, art 1.2.6.8
Retención/autorretención on exports of other mineral products (incl. gold)
1.0% of gross export proceeds Gold exports, except gold exported by C.I. companies that already withheld on purchases under art 1.2.4.6.9
Primary lawAmount not confirmed
- Decreto 1625 de 2016 as modified by Decreto 242 de 2024, art 1.2.4.10.12, par. 1
Contribución parafiscal de la esmeralda (1%) - not applicable to gold
1% of the foreign-currency value to be repatriated Exports of esmeraldas sin engastar only - not gold, not jewellery
Primary lawAmount not confirmed
- Ley 488 de 1998, art 101
Regalía sobre oro (royalty)
4% (oro y plata); 6% (oro de aluvión en contratos de concesión); platino 5% - state-owned minerals. Private-subsoil (RPP) mines: see co.tax-royalty-rpp-2019 All gold extracted in Colombia (royalty accrues at extraction, at mine mouth: Ley 2056 art 18); proof of payment before any export (Ley 2056 art 186). Imported gold re-exported does not need the royalty visto bueno (ANM FAQ).
Primary lawAmount not confirmed
- Ley 141 de 1994 art 16 as modified by Ley 756 de 2002 art 16; Ley 685 de 2001 arts 227-228; Ley 2056 de 2020 arts 18, 186, Ley 141 art 16 and parágrafo 9
  “El valor de gramo oro, plata y platino en boca de mina para liquidar las regalías, será del ochenta por ciento (80%) del precio internacional promedio del último mes, publicado por la bolsa de metales de Londres en su versión Pasado Meridiano”
Royalty on precious metals from private-subsoil (RPP) mines (2006 rule)
0.4% Gold, silver and platinum from reconocimientos de propiedad privada
Primary lawAmount not confirmed
- Decreto 1631 de 2006; Ley 685 de 2001 art 227 inc 2, Decreto 1631 arts 1, 4
Royalty on precious metals from private-subsoil (RPP) mines
Oro y plata veta 0.4%; oro y plata aluvión 2.0%; platino 1.0% Gold, silver and platinum from reconocimientos de propiedad privada
Primary lawAmount not confirmed
- Ley 1955 de 2019, art 330
Retención en la fuente (income tax) on gold purchases by C.I. companies
2.5% of the total payment Domestic purchases of gold by sociedades de comercialización internacional
Primary lawAmount not confirmed
- Decreto 1625 de 2016 as modified by Decreto 572 de 2025, art 1.2.4.6.9
Retención en la fuente on gold purchases by C.I. companies (previous rate)
1% Domestic purchases of gold by C.I. companies
Official guidanceAmount not confirmed
- Decreto 1625 de 2016, art 1.2.4.6.9 (before Decreto 572 de 2025)
Retención en la fuente on gold purchases by buyers other than C.I. (otros ingresos tributarios)
2.5% (declarant seller) / 3.5% (non-declarant) Gold purchases by traders, free-zone industrial users (DIAN oficio 907838) and other buyers that are not C.I. companies
Official guidanceAmount not confirmed
- Estatuto Tributario arts 368, 401; Decreto 1625 de 2016, ET art 401 (3.5% non-declarants); DUR 1625 art 1.2.4.9.1 (as cited by DIAN)

Controls

Exploration or exploitation without title, and the benefit, trade or acquisition of minerals from untitled areas (except barequeo), are crimes by reference to the Penal Code; alcaldes provisionally seize minerals transported or traded without invoice or mine constancia (Ley 685 art 161); police fine…
Primary law
- Ley 685 de 2001 arts 159-161; Ley 1450 de 2011 art 106; Ley 1801 de 2016 art 105
Anyone buying, selling, exporting or importing gold must have operational, administrative, financial and technical capacity (MinMinas criteria), obtain supplier information for ANM, and (exporters) prove beneficiation at a RUCOM-published plant; they must apply supply-chain due diligence under MinMi…
Primary law
- Ley 2250 de 2022 art 17; Resolución ANM 759 de 2024 art 9
DIAN special export procedure for chapter 71 goods: SAE at the seccional where the goods are; physical inspection in the secondary zone requested before SAE acceptance (exporter premises with calibrated scales or an authorised valuables-transport company); weight and fineness recorded and packages s…
Primary law
- Resolución DIAN 46 de 2019 arts 367 (mod. Res. 39/2021), 374; Decreto 1165 de 2019 arts 348, 352, 396
Proceeds of goods exports must be channelled through the FX market (IMC or registered compensation account) within six months of receipt; net repatriation allowed for export costs paid directly; the channelling data (declaración de cambio) are transmitted by the intermediary; sanctions per law. Ope…
Primary law
- Resolución Externa 1 de 2018 (Banco de la República), arts 41, 74, 78, 88, 91, 93, 94
Mercury use in mining had to be eradicated within a maximum of five years of Ley 1658 (15 Jul 2013), i.e. by July 2018 [inferred arithmetic]; no new gold beneficiation plants using mercury; no amalgam burning in residential, commercial, institutional or recreational zones.
Primary law
- Ley 1658 de 2013, arts 3, 9
Any export of minerals requires prior accreditation before DIAN of royalty payment (Ley 2056 art 186). ANM issues the visto bueno via VUCE after checking royalty payment and lawful origin (3 business days; valid 3 months). Scrap/disused gold (no royalty) needs a certification by an accredited inspec…
Primary law
- Ley 2056 de 2020 art 186; Decreto 600 de 1996 art 20 (as modified by Decreto 4479 de 2009 art 1)
Only persons certified in RUCOM (traders, beneficiation plants) or published as authorised exploiters may buy, sell, process or export minerals; buyers must check the seller listing (from 1 Jan 2012: seizure and fine for buying from unlisted sellers). Certification renewed each May. Exempt from insc…
Primary law
- Ley 1450 de 2011 art 112; Ley 2250 de 2022 art 18; Decreto 1073 de 2015 arts 2.2.5.6.1.1.4, 2.2.5.6.1.1.5, 2.2.5.6.1.2.2, 2.2.5.6.1.4.1
Subsistence miners may produce at most 35 g of gold as monthly average and 420 g per year; buyers must verify caps and listing; ANM removes miners exceeding caps from RUCOM and informs DIAN; ANM rejects export approvals supported by subsistence volumes above the annual maximum; the PTM rejects purch…
35 g monthly average; 420 g annual maximum per miner
Primary lawAmount not confirmed
- Resolución MinMinas 40103 de 2017 art 1; Ley 1955 de 2019 art 327; Decreto 1073 de 2015 arts 2.2.5.6.1.1.6 par 2, 2.2.5.6.1.2.2 lit k, 2.2.5.6.4.7; Resolución ANM 759 de 2024 art 11
Every commercial transaction in minerals must be registered in the Plataforma de Trazabilidad de Minerales - PTM (Res. ANM 759 art. 5; Decreto 2234 de 2023, DUR art. 2.2.5.6.4.5): origin code, transaction code, seller identity, origin document, due-diligence checks, and the Documento de Registro enc…
Primary law
- Decreto 2234 de 2023 (Decreto 1073 de 2015, arts 2.2.5.6.4.1 to 2.2.5.6.4.8); Resolución ANM 759 de 2024 arts 5, 9, 11, 26, 27 (arts 26 and 27 as replaced by the ANM resolution of 29 December 2025); Ley 2250 de 2022 art. 15
  “Parte 2 del Libro 2 del Decreto 1073 de 2015 - Decreto Único Reglamentario del Sector Administrativo de Minas y Energía”
Gold exporters and importers (habitual or sporadic, listed tariff lines incl. 7108), casas fundidoras de oro and C.I. companies trading gold report to UIAF: ROS immediately (art 2); absence of ROS within the first 10 calendar days of each month (art 3); all gold purchase/sale operations whatever the…
Primary law
- Resolución UIAF 363 de 2008

Leg 2: Switzerland

On the way

Doré bar - stamped/exporter-sealed → LBMA Good Delivery 400oz bar

15
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.”
16
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
17
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
18
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
19
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)
20
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
21
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
22
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:”
23
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
24
Release the bars from the refinery vault or free port against the owner's instruction and prepare the weight list (bar list), commercial invoice and packing list for the shipment
Who
Swiss refiner (melter/trade-assayer licence, LBMA Good Delivery-listed)
Issues
Outbound weight list / bar list; Commercial invoice to the foreign buyer; Packing list
Standard
The weight list is sourced to LBMA Annex C; commercial invoice and packing list are standard export practice, not read in a Swiss source.
- LBMA Good Delivery Rules, Annex C (weight lists); Customs Act Arts. 62-66 (free ports)
25
Lodge the electronic export declaration in Passar (HS 7108; e-dec Export was usable only to end-2025); the declarant must make it binding and physically export the goods within 120 days of its acceptance in the IT system
Who
Swiss refiner (melter/trade-assayer licence, LBMA Good Delivery-listed)
Issues
Passar export declaration (HS 7108)
Official guidance
R-10-10 (valid 1 Jan 2026) cites Art. 25-29 ZG and Art. 79-83 ZV for the declaration duty, says declarations are electronic in principle, and sets the 120-day limit from acceptance in the IT system. R-10-10 held and read in full on 2026-09-28; the Customs Act and Ordinance texts themselves were not read. R-10-10 has no gold-specific rule.
- Customs Act (ZG, SR 631.0); BAZG R-10-10, ZG Arts. 25-29 (as cited in R-10-10)
26
Receive the export assessment notice (Veranlagungsverfuegung Ausfuhr), the evidence that the goods were properly cleared for export
Who
Swiss refiner (melter/trade-assayer licence, LBMA Good Delivery-listed)
Issues
Veranlagungsverfuegung Ausfuhr
Official guidance
R-10-10 cites Art. 38 and 69 ZG and Art. 92 ZV for the export assessment notice and says it is evidence of proper assessment and of export for VAT. R-10-10 held and read in full on 2026-09-28.
- Customs Act (ZG); BAZG R-10-10, ZG Arts. 38 and 69; ZV Art. 92 (as cited in R-10-10)
27
Treat the sale as a VAT-exempt export (supply of goods directly transported abroad) and keep the export assessment notice as evidence
Who
Swiss refiner (melter/trade-assayer licence, LBMA Good Delivery-listed)
Needs
Veranlagungsverfuegung Ausfuhr
Primary law
Art. 23(2) no. 1 read in the held MWSTG (Stand 1 Jan 2025, German wording current). Art. 23(3): direct export includes export into an open customs warehouse or a free port. Investment gold of at least 995 fineness is separately exempt with credit under Art. 23(2) no. 12 (see ch.tax-import-vat).
- Federal VAT Act (MWSTG, SR 641.20), Art. 23(2) no. 1
28
Hand the sealed consignment to a secure valuables carrier and fly it out (Zurich or Geneva) under an air waybill
Who
Swiss refiner (melter/trade-assayer licence, LBMA Good Delivery-listed)
Issues
Air waybill (outbound)
Unverified
Carrier practice. Cantonal licensing: in the Canton of Zurich "Sicherheitstransporte von Personen, Gütern und Wertsachen" require a licence under the Polizeigesetz, 9. Abschnitt (cantonal page, read by WebFetch 2026-09-28; PolG text not read). Geneva and other cantons not checked. No Swiss source read describes the outbound air leg for gold.

Taxes and fees

Customs duty on gold
0% HS 7108
Official guidanceAmount not confirmed
Import VAT on gold
Exempt Gold and gold alloys under MWSTG Art. 23(2) Ziff. 12: (a) state-minted gold coins of tariff nos. 7118.9010, 9705.3100, 9705.3900; (b) investment gold of at least 995 fineness as cast bars bearing the fineness and the stamp of a recognised assayer-melter, or stamped plates; (c) granules of at least 995 packed and sealed by a recognised assayer-melter; (d) gold in raw form or semi-finished for refining or recovery, and gold waste and scrap; (e) alloys under (d) with 2% or more gold
Primary lawAmount not confirmed
- VAT Act (MWSTG, SR 641.20), Art. 53(1)(m) (import) with Art. 23(2) Ziff. 12

Controls

Banks identify the contracting party and beneficial owner for precious-metals trading and for cash transactions over CHF 15,000 (CDB 20; Form A, Form K).
CHF 15,000 cash
StandardAmount not confirmed
- CDB 20 (SBA), CDB Art. 4(2)(f)-(g), 7, 20-21, 27-28
Melt material imported from abroad for sale in Switzerland needs a formal import declaration; simplified and oral declarations are excluded in principle. A buyer or licensee who accepts melt material that has not been through customs breaches due diligence under the PMCA: fine up to CHF 2,000 per ca…
Official guidance
- BAZG Merkblatt 'Annahme von Schmelzgut aus dem Ausland' (Jan 2024)
Commercial production of melt products (bars, plates, rods, granules made by melting precious metal or melt material) requires a melt licence; acting without it is punishable by a fine (EMKG Art. 48). Every melt product must bear the licence holder's stamp; melt products for resale must be assayed b…
Primary law
- EMKG/PMCA (SR 941.31), Arts. 1(2), 24, 31(1), 32-33, 47, 48
Holders of a melter licence may accept melt material only from persons who can prove lawful acquisition, and must verify the customer's identity by a probative document such as a passport or identity card. Where origin is doubtful or the offer comes from unknown persons, origin must be clarified wit…
Primary law
- PMCO/EMKV (articles in refs), EMKV (SR 941.311, Stand 1 Jan 2024) Art. 168a Abs. 1 (parsed into section sch-2)
  “Der Inhaber einer Schmelzbewilligung darf Schmelzgut nur von Per-”
- PMCO/EMKV (articles in refs), EMKV (SR 941.311, Stand 1 Jan 2024) Art. 168a Abs. 2 (parsed into section sch-2)
  “Es muss die Identität des Kunden anhand eines beweiskräftigen Do- kumentes wie Pass oder Identitätskarte überprüfen.”
- PMCO/EMKV (articles in refs), EMKV (SR 941.311, Stand 1 Jan 2024) Art. 168a Abs. 3 (parsed into section sch-2)
  “Bestehen über die Herkunft der Ware Zweifel oder stammen die An- gebote von Unbekannten, so ist der Inhaber der Schmelzbewilligung verpflichtet, die Herkunft des Schmelzgutes besonders sorgfältig abzu- klären.”
- PMCO/EMKV (articles in refs), EMKV (SR 941.311, Stand 1 Jan 2024) Art. 168b Abs. 1 (parsed into section sch-2)
  “derlichen organisatorischen Massnahmen, um das Schmelzen von Schmelzgut unrechtmässiger Herkunft zu verhindern.”
- PMCO/EMKV (articles in refs), EMKV (SR 941.311, Stand 1 Jan 2024) Art. 168b Abs. 2 (parsed into section sch-2)
  “so ist die Ware durch den Inhaber der Schmelzbewilligung bis zur Klärung des Falles in unverändertem Zu- stand aufzubewahren.”
- PMCO/EMKV (articles in refs), EMKV (SR 941.311, Stand 1 Jan 2024) Art. 168b Abs. 3 (parsed into section sch-2)
  “Schmelzprodukten müssen während zehn Jahren aufbewahrt werden.”
- PMCO/EMKV (articles in refs), EMKV (SR 941.311, Stand 1 Jan 2024) Art. 168c Abs. 1 (parsed into section sch-2)
  “Der Inhaber einer Schmelzbewilligung muss über seine Ankäufe von Schmelzgut und Schmelzprodukten Buch führen.”
- PMCO/EMKV (articles in refs), EMKV (SR 941.311, Stand 1 Jan 2024) Art. 168c Abs. 2 Bst. b (parsed into section sch-2)
  “die in Artikel 168a Absatz 2 vorgeschriebenen Identifikations- nachweise;”
- PMCO/EMKV (articles in refs), BAZG Schmelzen und Prüfen (Dec 2023) Ziff. 4.1.6 (restates Art. 168a)
  “Er muss die Identität des Kunden anhand eines beweiskräftigen Dokumentes wie Pass oder Identitätskarte überprüfen und muss sich vor Ausführung des Auftrages den rechtmässigen Erwerb des Schmelzgutes durch den Auftraggeber nachweisen lassen.”
- PMCO/EMKV (articles in refs), BAZG Schmelzen und Prüfen (Dec 2023) Ziff. 4.1.6 (restates Art. 168b Abs. 3)
  “Die Dokumente über den Geschäftsverkehr mit Schmelzgut und Schmelzprodukten müssen während zehn Jahren aufbewahrt werden.”
- PMCO/EMKV (articles in refs), BAZG Richtlinie R-247 (1 Jan 2023) Ziff. 3.3.2
  “Bestehen Zweifel über die Herkunft des Materials oder in Bezug auf die Integrität des Kunden sind Bewilligungsinhaber verpflichtet, den Sachverhalt besonders sorgfältig abzuklären”
Purchase, import, transit and transport of gold (Annex 26) originating in Russia and exported from Russia after 4 Aug 2022, and of gold processed from it in third countries, are prohibited, as are related services (all kinds, including financial services, brokerage and technical assistance) and the …
Primary law
- Ordinance of 4 March 2022 on measures in connection with the situation in Ukraine (SR 946.231.176.72), Art. 14d
Precious metals are 'sensitive goods' in free ports (Customs Ordinance Annex 2, as amended on 18 November 2015): the declarant must declare them electronically on entry into storage, and an electronic inventory record of them is kept per depositor and submitted by the warehouse keeper to customs on …
Primary law
- Customs Ordinance (ZV) as amended on 18 November 2015 (articles in refs), AS 2015 4917, ZV Anhang 2 (sensitive goods) as amended
  “Anhang 2 wird wie folgt geändert:”
- Customs Ordinance (ZV) as amended on 18 November 2015 (articles in refs), ZV Anhang 2 Ziff. 5: precious metals ex tariff chapter 71
  “Perlen, Diamanten, Edelsteine, Schmucksteine, Edelmetalle und Edel- metallplattierungen sowie Waren daraus (ex Zolltarifkapitel 71)”
- Customs Ordinance (ZV) as amended on 18 November 2015 (articles in refs), AS 2015 4917 Ziff. IV: in force
  “Diese Verordnung tritt am 1. Januar 2016 in Kraft.”
- Customs Ordinance (ZV) as amended on 18 November 2015 (articles in refs), ZV Art. 178a Abs. 1: electronic declaration on entry into the free port
  “Die anmeldepflichtige Person muss sensible Waren bei der Einlagerung ins Zoll- freilager elektronisch anmelden.”
- Customs Ordinance (ZV) as amended on 18 November 2015 (articles in refs), ZV Art. 185: inventory record per depositor
  “Die Bestandesaufzeichnung für sensible Waren ist je Einlagererin oder je Einlagerer zu führen.”
- Customs Ordinance (ZV) as amended on 18 November 2015 (articles in refs), ZV Art. 184 Abs. 2: kept electronically
  “Sie muss elektronisch geführt werden.”
- Customs Ordinance (ZV) as amended on 18 November 2015 (articles in refs), ZV Art. 184 Abs. 3bis: warehouse keeper submits it on request
  “Auf Verlangen muss die Lagerhalterin oder der Lagerhalter der EZV die”
- Customs Ordinance (ZV) as amended on 18 November 2015 (articles in refs), AS 2015 4917, ZV Art. 246a: amendment date
  “Übergangsbestimmungen zur Änderung vom 18. November 2015”
- Customs Ordinance (ZV) as amended on 18 November 2015 (articles in refs), BAZG R-10-50 (1 Jul 2025) s.1.3.1: export goods count as sensitive goods
  “Ausfuhrwaren gelten als sensible Waren”
- Customs Ordinance (ZV) as amended on 18 November 2015 (articles in refs), R-10-50 s.4.1: inventory records over all sensitive goods
  “Bestandesaufzeichnungen nach den Grundsätzen der ordnungsgemässen Buchführung”
Cash threshold for dealers in goods (anti-money laundering)
Primary law
- GwG Art. 8a(1)
  “Händlerinnen und Händler nach Artikel 2 Absatz 1 Buchstabe b müssen folgende”
- GwG Art. 8a(1)(a)
  “Identifizierung der Vertragspartei (Art. 3 Abs. 1);”
Cash threshold for dealers in gold (anti-money laundering)
Primary law
- GwG Art. 8a(1)
  “Händlerinnen und Händler nach Artikel 2 Absatz 1 Buchstabe b müssen folgende”
- GwG Art. 8a(1)(a)
  “Identifizierung der Vertragspartei (Art. 3 Abs. 1);”
- GwG Art. 8a(2bis)
  “oder Edelsteinen beträgt die massgebende Schwelle im Sinne von Ab-”
- EMKG Art. 1(1)
  “Edelmetalle im Sinne dieses Gesetzes sind Gold, Silber, Platin und Palladium.”

Leg 3: United States

Where the goods arrive

29
Screen the supplier and the gold: KYC, OFAC sanctions lists, and confirm the gold is not of Russian Federation origin (unless it was outside Russia before 28 June 2022); apply CAHRA red flags from the 2023 Africa Gold Advisory
Who
Importer of record (bullion bank, trader, refiner or dealer)
Needs
Commercial invoice; Bar list (serials, weights, fineness)
Issues
Importer's supplier KYC and OFAC / Russian-origin screening file
Primary law
- E.O. 14068; OFAC Determination (effective 28 Jun 2022, amended 22 Dec 2023), E.O. 14068 s.1(a)(i); determination under s.1(a)(i)(A), 1(b) and 5; delegation 31 CFR 587.802
30
File entry (CBP Form 3461 or electronic equivalent) with evidence of the right to make entry, commercial invoice and packing list, and the entry summary (CBP Form 7501) classifying the gold under HTSUS 7108 with country of origin; deposit any duty (heading 7108 free except 4.1% on 7108.12.50 and 7108.13.70 for non-preference origins) and the 0.3464% merchandise processing fee; shipments of $2,500 or less may use informal entry
Who
Licensed customs broker
Needs
Importer's supplier KYC and OFAC / Russian-origin screening file; Commercial invoice; Packing list; Air waybill
Issues
CBP Form 3461 entry / immediate delivery (or ACE electronic equivalent); CBP Form 7501 entry summary (HTSUS classification, origin, duties and fees)
Primary law
- 19 CFR 142.3; 19 CFR 143.21; 19 CFR 24.23; HTSUS 7108
31
Review, examine if selected, and release the goods; CBP enforces the Russian-origin gold ban and any withhold release order on gold made with forced labour
Who
US Customs and Border Protection
Needs
CBP Form 3461 entry / immediate delivery (or ACE electronic equivalent)
Issues
CBP release of entered goods (ACE cargo release)
Primary law
- 19 CFR 142.3; E.O. 14068 gold determination; 19 U.S.C. 1307 and 19 CFR 12.42
32
Deliver released gold directly to the refinery or to a COMEX-approved depository (for COMEX, bars must come directly from an approved producer or assayer with certificates, or from another depository)
Who
Secure logistics carrier (armoured / valuables; COMEX-approved carrier where relevant)
Needs
CBP release of entered goods (ACE cargo release)
Issues
Delivery record airport to refinery or depository
Standard
33
Deliver bars into a COMEX-approved depository directly from the approved producer with refiner certificates, from an approved assayer with assay certificates, or from another approved depository
Who
Secure logistics carrier (armoured / valuables; COMEX-approved carrier where relevant)
Needs
Refiner certificate for bars produced (brand, serial, weight, fineness)
Issues
Chain-of-integrity receipt at depository
Standard
34
Inspect and weigh the bars and record them as eligible stock
Who
COMEX-approved depository / bullion vault
Needs
Chain-of-integrity receipt at depository; Bar list (serials, weights, fineness)
Issues
Depository inspection, weight record and eligible-stock entry
Standard
35
Issue an electronic warrant in the name of the clearing member, referencing bar serials and the approved producer; the metal becomes registered (deliverable) stock
Who
COMEX-approved depository / bullion vault
Needs
Depository inspection, weight record and eligible-stock entry
Issues
COMEX gold warrant (electronic UCC Article 7 document of title)
Standard
- COMEX Rulebook; UCC Article 7, Rule 705.A; 113108
36
Report eligible, pledged and registered stocks to the exchange registrar daily by 2:00 p.m.
Who
COMEX-approved depository / bullion vault
Standard
37
Optionally pledge the warrant to CME as collateral (title to CME, first-priority security interest, 15% haircut)
Who
Futures clearing member / bullion bank
Needs
COMEX gold warrant (electronic UCC Article 7 document of title)
Standard
38
Short clearing member submits a delivery intention in Deliveries Plus selecting warrants (brand, weight, warrant number, warehouse) - Day 1
Who
Futures clearing member / bullion bank
Needs
COMEX gold warrant (electronic UCC Article 7 document of title)
Issues
COMEX delivery intention notice (Deliveries Plus)
Standard
39
Issue invoices on the morning after the intention day at the settlement price plus storage reimbursement - Day 2
Who
Exchange clearing house (CME Clearing for COMEX)
Needs
COMEX delivery intention notice (Deliveries Plus)
Issues
CME Clearing delivery invoice
Standard
40
Settle: the warrant transfers electronically to the long clearing member and funds are banked through clearing - Day 3
Who
Exchange clearing house (CME Clearing for COMEX)
Needs
CME Clearing delivery invoice
Issues
Warrant transfer and funds banked through clearing
Standard
41
On warrant cancellation, load out the metal first-come first-served; if not released within 5 business days notify the exchange; delivery orders received by the 20th must be released by month-end
Who
COMEX-approved depository / bullion vault
Needs
Warrant transfer and funds banked through clearing
Issues
Load-out release record after warrant cancellation
Standard

Taxes and fees

Customs duty on gold (HTSUS 7108)
Column 1 general: Free on 7108.11.00 (powder), 7108.12.10 (bullion and dore), 7108.13.10 (gold leaf), 7108.13.55 (rectangular or near-rectangular shapes of 99.5%+ gold marked only with weight, purity or other identifying information), 7108.20.00 (monetary); 4.1% on 7108.12.50 (other unwrought) and 7108.13.70 (other semi-manufactured), Free for special programmes A, AU, BH, CL, CO, D, E, IL, JO, KR, MA, OM, P, PA, PE, S, SG (General Note 3(c)(i): e.g. S = USMCA, PE = Peru TPA, CO = Colombia TPA, AU = Australia FTA, CL = Chile FTA, SG = Singapore FTA, A = GSP, D = AGOA). Column 2: 65% on 7108.12.50 and 7108.13.70, 8% on gold leaf, Free on the others (7108.13.55 footnoted "See 9903.90.08") All imports of gold
Primary lawAmount not confirmed
- HTSUS (Revision 19, 2026), heading 7108
Nevada gold and silver excise tax
0.75% of Nevada gross revenue above $20,000,000 up to $150,000,000 (i.e. $975,000 at $150m) plus 1.1% of the excess over $150,000,000; nothing due if $20,000,000 or less
Official guidanceAmount not confirmed
- NRS 363D (per Department of Taxation form EXC-F029), NRS 363D.160 (as cited by the Department)
IEEPA reciprocal tariff (E.O. 14257) - ended February 2026; gold bullion exempt throughout, other 7108 lines exempt from 8 Sep 2025
10% on all imports from 12:01 a.m. EDT 5 Apr 2025 (E.O. 14257 s.3(a)) plus country-specific rates from 9 Apr 2025 as modified; goods in Annex II excepted 7108.12.10 (bullion and dore) was already in Annex II; E.O. 14346 Annex II (FR 43788-43789) marks 7108.11.00, 7108.12.50, 7108.13.10, 7108.13.55, 7108.13.70 and 7108.20.00 as "Addition" for goods entered from 12:01 a.m. EDT 8 Sep 2025. Before that, cast kilobars and 100 oz bars classified in 7108.13.5500 paid the additional duty (CBP ruling N351466: "subject to an additional 10 percent ad valorem rate of duty").
Primary lawAmount not confirmed
- E.O. 14257 as modified by E.O. 14346 (IEEPA); ended by E.O. 14389
Additional duty on Russian products (9903.90.08)
35% ad valorem in lieu of column 2 rates Products of Russia in U.S. note 30(b); of heading 7108 only 7108.13.55 is listed. Moot for gold: its import is prohibited (us.ctl-russia-gold-ban)
Primary lawAmount not confirmed
- HTSUS chapter 99, 9903.90.08
Section 122 temporary import surcharge (Proclamation 11012) - gold excepted
10% ad valorem on articles of any country (heading 9903.03.01), in addition to other duties; not applied to the goods listed in U.S. note 2(aa)(ii) (heading 9903.03.03), which include every 7108 subheading: 7108.11.00, 7108.12.10, 7108.12.50, 7108.13.10, 7108.13.55, 7108.13.70, 7108.20.00 Gold of HTSUS 7108 excepted ("metals used in currency and bullion", Proc. 11012 para. 14(b); Annex I para. 2; Annex II)
Primary lawAmount not confirmed
- Trade Act of 1974 s.122 (19 U.S.C. 2132); Proclamation 11012; HTSUS U.S. note 2(aa), subchapter III, chapter 99, 9903.03.01; 9903.03.03; note 2(aa)(ii)
Section 301 forced-labor tariffs on 60 economies (USTR, from 24 Jul 2026) - gold excluded
Additional 10% or 12.5% ad valorem depending on the economy (headings 9903.05.20-9903.05.84), e.g. Canada 10% (9903.05.29), Mexico 10% (9903.05.55), United Kingdom 10% (9903.05.81), Peru 12.5% (9903.05.63), Colombia 12.5% (9903.05.32), United Arab Emirates 12.5% (9903.05.80), Switzerland: for goods whose column-1 rate is under 12.5%, column-1 rate plus additional duty totalling 12.5% (9903.05.74; note 52(k)); the same top-up method applies to the EU, Japan, South Korea and Taiwan headings; not applied to articles in U.S. note 52(b) (heading 9903.05.86), which lists 7108.11.00, 7108.12.10, 7108.12.50, 7108.13.10, 7108.13.55, 7108.13.70 and 7108.20.00 All HTSUS 7108 gold excluded; applies to other products of the listed economies
Primary lawAmount not confirmed
- Trade Act of 1974 s.301 (19 U.S.C. 2411); USTR notice FR Doc. 2026-15181; HTSUS U.S. note 52, subchapter III, chapter 99, 9903.05.20-9903.05.84; 9903.05.86; note 52(b)
VAT / sales tax on gold
No federal VAT or import VAT; state sales taxes vary - about 33 states exempt investment bullion or have no sales tax (Mar 2026) Bullion sales to end buyers
Secondary
BLM mining claim fees
$49 location fee and $200 initial maintenance fee per new lode claim, mill site or tunnel site; $200 annual maintenance fee (placer: per 20 acres or portion) due on or before 1 September; processing fees per 43 CFR 3000.12 ($25 per new claim on the BLM page)
Primary lawAmount not confirmed
- 30 U.S.C. 28f; 43 CFR 3830.21, 43 CFR 3830.21(a), (d)
Merchandise processing fee
0.3464% ad valorem on formal entries (19 CFR 24.23(b)(1)(i)(A)); minimum/maximum per entry $33.58/$651.50 for fiscal year 2026 (1 Oct 2025-30 Sep 2026, CBP Dec. 25-10) and $34.58/$670.86 from 1 Oct 2026 (FY2027 notice); base amounts $25/$485 CPI-adjusted; informal entries a flat fee (base $2-$9)
Primary lawAmount not confirmed
- 19 CFR 24.23, 24.23(b)(1)(i), (b)(2)

Controls

Beneficial ownership reporting under the Corporate Transparency Act applies only to a "reporting company" defined as an entity "(A) A corporation, limited liability company, or other entity; (B) Formed under the law of a foreign country; and (C) Registered to do business in any State or tribal juris…
Primary law
- 31 CFR 1010.380, 1010.380(a)(1), (c)(1)(ii)
Any trade or business receiving more than $10,000 in currency in one or related transactions must file Form 8300 within 15 days. There is no cash ceiling, only reporting.
> $10,000 cash
Primary lawAmount not confirmed
- 31 CFR 1010.330; 26 USC 6050I, 1010.330(a)(1)(i)
Gold bullion is not a 'monetary instrument' under the BSA, so the cross-border currency report (CMIR) does not apply to gold carried or shipped across the border; customs entry and EEI are the only declarations.
Primary law
- 31 CFR 1010.340; 31 CFR 1010.100(dd), 1010.340(a); 1010.100(dd)
COMEX gold delivery: one 100 oz bar or three 1 kg bars, weight tolerance 5%, minimum 995 fineness, approved brand from an approved producer complying with LBMA RGG, held in an approved depository reached through the chain of integrity.
Standard
- COMEX Rulebook, 113101; Rules 703.A, 705.A
SEC-reporting issuers that manufacture or contract to manufacture products in which gold is necessary must "conduct in good faith a reasonable country of origin inquiry" (Form SD Item 1.01(a)); if they know or have reason to believe the gold may come from the DRC or an adjoining country and may not …
Primary law
- Dodd-Frank s.1502; Exchange Act Rule 13p-1; Form SD (as adopted 2012), 17 CFR 240.13p-1; Form SD Items 1.01-1.02
Dealers in precious metals (gold of 500+ fineness among covered goods) must keep a written risk-based AML program with compliance officer, training and independent testing; retailers are covered only if they buy over $50,000 from non-dealers.
Purchased > $50,000 and sold > $50,000 of covered goods in the prior year
Primary lawAmount not confirmed
- 31 CFR 1027, 1027.100, 1027.210
HS 710812 and 710813 (non-monetary gold, unwrought other than powder, and semi-manufactured) are listed EAR 'luxury goods': "A license is required to export, reexport, or transfer (in-country) any item subject to the EAR listed in supplement no. 5 to this part to or within Russia or Belarus" (746.8(…
Primary law
- EAR 15 CFR 746.8(a)(7), (b)(3); Supplement No. 5 to Part 746, 746.8(a)(7)
Goods "mined, produced, or manufactured wholly or in part in any foreign country by convict labor or/and forced labor or/and indentured labor under penal sanctions shall not be entitled to entry" (19 U.S.C. 1307). Where information "reasonably but not conclusively indicates" such merchandise is bein…
Primary law
- Tariff Act of 1930 s.307 (19 U.S.C. 1307); 19 CFR 12.42, 19 U.S.C. 1307; 19 CFR 12.42(e)-(h)
US persons may not deal with SDN-listed parties; the 2023 multi-agency Africa Gold Advisory flags Wagner-linked gold from CAR and Sudan and conflict gold from Mali and Burkina Faso, warning of designation and penalties.
Official guidance
- IEEPA-based OFAC programs
Historical (2025 - Feb 2026): E.O. 14257 imposed an additional 10% on all imports from 5 Apr 2025 and country rates from 9 Apr 2025, with Annex II exceptions that from the start included 7108.12.10 (bullion and dore). CBP ruling N351466 (31 Jul 2025) classified cast 1 kg and 100 oz bars from Switzer…
Primary law
- E.O. 14257; E.O. 14346; E.O. 14389; Proclamation 11012; HTSUS U.S. notes 2(aa) and 52
Import into the US of gold of Russian Federation origin is prohibited unless licensed by OFAC; gold of Russian origin located outside Russia before 28 June 2022 is excluded.
Primary law
- E.O. 14068 as amended by E.O. 14114; OFAC Determination (effective 28 Jun 2022, amended 22 Dec 2023), E.O. 14068 s.1(a)(i)(A) (as amended by E.O. 14114 s.3(a)); delegation 31 CFR 587.802

Leg 4: Colombia

Back in the origin country: the proceeds of the export

42
Pay the exporter against final assay by SWIFT transfer to a Colombian FX market intermediary
Who
Foreign refiner or bullion buyer
Issues
Payment from foreign buyer
Industry practice
43
Channel the export proceeds through the FX market within six months of receipt (FX intermediary or registered compensation account), transmitting the declaración de cambio data; net repatriation allowed for export costs paid directly abroad
Who
Foreign-exchange market intermediary (bank)
Issues
Foreign-exchange channelling record (declaración de cambio / numeral cambiario)
Primary law
- Resolución Externa 1 de 2018 (Banco de la República), arts 41, 74, 78, 88

Crossings between countries

Colombia → Switzerland Researched
Papers that cross: Bar list / weight and assay of melted bars; Certification by an authorised certification/inspection body that material is scrap (chatarra); Exporter's electronic invoice to foreign buyer; Formulario de reporte de exportación (ANM Excel form); ANM export approval (royalty and lawful-origin validation); Solicitud de autorización de embarque (DIAN); DIAN physical inspection / weighing record; Export declaration accepted by DIAN; Air waybill
Switzerland → United States Researched
Papers that cross: Electronic customs import declaration (commercial import; simplified and oral declarations excluded for melt material); Refiner outturn/assay report (Switzerland); Purchase book: customer, ID proof, acceptance date, description and marking, weight on acceptance, weight after melting, completion; Bar list (serials, weights, fineness); Passar export declaration (HS 7108); Veranlagungsverfuegung Ausfuhr; Air waybill (outbound)