Precious Metal Control

[Skip to main content](#main-content) <span>Swiss federal authorities</span> - [<span>ePortal: Services</span>](https://eportal.admin.ch/) Language dropdown English selected DEFRITEN Federal Office for Customs and Border Security  FOCBS [](/en) FOCBS Federal Office for Customs and Border Security  FOCBS Search <span class="search__button__title">Search</span> <span class="burger__icon"><span class="burger__bar"></span><span class="burger__bar"></span><span class="burger__bar"></span></span> <!-- end list --> - [<span>Contact</span>](/en/contact-open-hours-customs-offices) - [<span>Media</span>](/en/media-information) - [<span>Jobs</span>](/en/job-opportunities-at-focbs) - [<span>ePortal: Services</span>](https://eportal.admin.ch) <!-- end list --> - [<span>ePortal: Services</span>](https://eportal.admin.ch/) <span></span> # Precious Metal Control The federal Act on the Control of the Trade in Precious Metals and Precious Metal Articles (Precious Metals Control Act, PMCA) regulates the trade of raw materials, melting materials and melting products, as well as goods such as watches and jewelry from precious metals. Precious metals include gold, silver, platinum and palladium. The commercial purchase of old precious metals (melt material), the manufacturing of melting products and the testing of the standard of fineness in melted products are activities which require a license. The commercial trade of banking precious metals by trade assayers is also an activity requiring a license under the Money Laundering Act. ## Interesting content available in German: <span class="meta-info__item">14 November 2025</span> ### Schmelzen und Prüfen von Edelmetallen Entdecken Sie die zentralen Verfahren und Bewilligungen rund um das Schmelzen und Prüfen von Edelmetallen in der Schweiz. Auf den folgenden Unterseiten erhalten Sie einen klaren Überblick über alle gesetzlichen Vorgaben, Zuständigkeiten und Anforderungen – von der Schmelz- und individuellen Schmelzbewilligung über die Handelsprüferbewilligung bis zu den Regeln für die Einfuhr von Schmelzprodukten. So wissen Sie genau, welche Schritte notwendig sind, um Edelmetalle rechtskonform zu verarbeiten, zu prüfen oder zu importieren. <span></span> <span class="btn__text">More about «Schmelzen und Prüfen von Edelmetallen»</span> ### Gewerbsmässiger Ankauf von Altedelmetallen Der gewerbsmässige Ankauf von Altedelmetallen unterliegt in der Schweiz neuen Vorschriften. Ab 1. Januar 2024 ist eine Registrierung oder Bewilligung erforderlich. Weitere Informationen zu den Anforderungen und Schutzmaßnahmen finden Sie hier. <span></span> <span class="btn__text">More about «Gewerbsmässiger Ankauf von Altedelmetallen»</span> ### Handel mit Bankedelmetallen Die Seite behandelt die Anforderungen und Prozesse zur Erlangung einer Bewilligung für den Handel mit Bankedelmetallen gemäß dem EMKG und GwG. Unternehmen und Einzelpersonen, die in diesem Bereich tätig sind, müssen bestimmte Kriterien erfüllen und innerhalb von drei Monaten nach Inkrafttreten der neuen Vorschriften im Januar 2023 eine Genehmigung beantragen. <span></span> <span class="btn__text">More about «Handel mit Bankedelmetallen»</span> <span></span> For goods made of precious metals, multimetal articles and goods plated with precious metals such as watches and jewelry, there are regulations on the material composition, designation and the official controlling and hallmarking. ## ### Goods traffic Swiss legislation on precious metals control regulates the trade of articles made of gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. All precious metal articles must bear a legal standard of fineness and a responsibility mark, regardless of their origin. Switzerland is a member of the international precious metals control convention. <span></span> <span class="btn__text">More about «Goods traffic»</span>

### Responsibility mark: Registration and renewal On May 1, 2024, PREZIUS, the new digital application for the control of precious metals, was launched. In the future, this application will become the sole tool for registering and renewing responsibility marks in Switzerland. <span></span> <span class="btn__text">More about «Responsibility mark: Registration and renewal»</span> ### Official controlling and hallmarking Precious metal control in Switzerland ensures that watch cases made of precious metals are officially controlled and hallmarked. Prezius, a digital application, streamlines these processes. <span></span> <span class="btn__text">More about «Official controlling and hallmarking»</span> ### Laboratory Accreditation The Swiss Precious Metal Control has been accredited since 1994 according to ISO/IEC 17025 for testing gold, silver, platinum, and palladium. The accreditation is valid until 2029. <span></span> <span class="btn__text">More about «Laboratory Accreditation»</span> ### FAQ Precious Metals Control The page provides a detailed overview of the tasks and regulations of precious metals control in Switzerland. It informs about laws, ordinances, and international agreements, as well as the registration of responsibility marks and import/export requirements. Users can also learn how to have precious metals analyzed. <span></span> <span class="btn__text">More about «FAQ Precious Metals Control»</span> ### Locations of precious metals control in Switzerland his page provides comprehensive information and contact details for precious metal control in Switzerland. It lists locations of control units and specific phone and fax numbers. Some locations do not conduct precious metal analyses. <span></span> <span class="btn__text">More about «Locations of precious metals control in Switzerland»</span> <span></span> <span></span> ## About us The FOCBS makes a considerable contribution to the security and protection of the population, the economy and the Swiss state. © BAZG-OFDF-UDSC ## Stay informed Facebook Instagram Youtube LinkedIn ## Further information Offices and opening hours Contact Companies Contact Private individuals Customs Tariff - Tares Passar Careers and Training - [Legal framework](https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start/terms-and-conditions.html) - [Publication details](/en/publication-details-focbs) - [Netiquette](/en/netiquette-focbs) - [Accessibility in the Federal Administration](/en/accessibility-in-the-federal-administration)