Purity, Assaying & Refinery Hallmarks
Verification protocols and institutional standards guaranteeing tangible metal integrity.
How do I know the gold and silver I buy is genuine?
Every single bullion bar sold by Golden Star Met is sourced directly from London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) Good Delivery accredited refiners (such as Nadir Gold, Valcambi, Heraeus, PAMP Suisse, and The Perth Mint). Bars are sealed in tamper-evident CertiPAMP or refinery blister assays containing laser-etched matching serial numbers. Furthermore, all physical bullion arriving at our facility undergoes non-invasive acoustic ultrasonic and X-ray fluorescence (XRF) spectrometry testing.
What fineness levels do your precious metals meet?
Our gold bars and coins are strictly minted to an investment purity of 999.9 parts per thousand (24-karat four nines pure), while traditional Sovereign coins are struck at 916.7 (22-karat crown gold). Silver bars and coins meet 999.0 or 999.9 fine purity standards.
What should I do if the tamper-evident packaging is broken?
We advise clients to keep all minted blister packaging unopened, as pristine assay packaging commands the highest resale premium. If an assay card is damaged during transit, contact our concierge immediately for a replacement exchange under our transit guarantee.
UK & International Tax Treatment
Understand how HMRC VAT directives and Capital Gains Tax laws apply to your holdings.
Is investment gold subject to VAT in the UK?
No. Under UK VAT Notice 701/21 and EU Directive 98/80/EC, all investment-grade gold bars (purity of not less than 995) and investment gold coins are 100% VAT exempt (0% VAT) for UK and European citizens.
Which precious metal products are Capital Gains Tax (CGT) exempt?
Gold and silver coins produced by The Royal Mint that carry official legal tender status in the United Kingdom—specifically The Gold Sovereign, Gold Britannia, and Silver Britannia—are 100% exempt from UK Capital Gains Tax. Regardless of how much the metal appreciates, profits realized by UK tax residents are completely tax-free.
How can I purchase silver without paying 20% VAT?
While physical silver delivered to UK residential addresses is subject to standard 20% VAT, clients can purchase silver bars and institutional ingots completely VAT-free by allocating them into our customs-bonded offshore vaults in Zurich or London.
Shipping, Armoured Transit & Custody
Logistical safety protocols protecting your assets from dispatch to delivery.
How are orders packaged to maintain security and discretion?
All parcels are double-boxed in unmarked, heavy-duty tamper-evident cardboard with no external references to "gold", "bullion", "jewellery", or "precious metals". The sender address displays an abbreviated logistics code to ensure complete courier discretion.
Is my package insured during transit?
Yes. Every consignment dispatched by Golden Star Met is 100% insured up to its full replacement value by Lloyd's of London underwriters. Insurance remains active until the package is signed for by an adult at the destination address.
Can someone else sign for my package upon delivery?
No. Our couriers (Royal Mail Special Delivery, FedEx Express Secure, Malca-Amit) require a photo ID and physical adult signature. Parcels will not be left unattended on porches, in mailboxes, or with unauthorized neighbours.
Payment Options & Settlement Verification
Multi-currency fiat rails, digital asset gateways, and compliance verification.
What payment methods are supported?
We provide multiple flexible settlement options:
• Same-Day UK Faster Payments / CHAPS: Direct clearing with no merchant processing fees.
• International SWIFT & SEPA: Multi-currency settlement in GBP, EUR, and USD.
• Major Debit & Credit Cards: Instant 256-bit encrypted card checkout via 3D Secure 2.0.
• Cryptocurrency: Instant digital asset settlement in BTC, USDT (TRC-20 & ERC-20), USDC, and ETH.
Why do I need to submit identity verification (KYC)?
As a UK registered precious metals firm regulated by HM Revenue & Customs under the Money Laundering Regulations 2017, Golden Star Met is legally required to verify customer identities for cumulative orders reaching £5,000 or above.
Forward Reserve Program Mechanics
Understanding strategic pre-allocation pricing discounts and maturity cycles.
How does the Forward Reserve Program offer up to 14% discounts?
By purchasing gold ahead of the refinery minting cycle (terms of 3, 6, or 12 months), investors provide liquidity directly to sovereign refining schedules. In return for locked capital commitments, refineries pass along wholesale institutional discounts: 5% for 3 months, 9% for 6 months, and 14% for 12 months.
What happens upon term maturity?
Upon reaching maturity date, your newly minted LBMA physical gold bars are either dispatched directly to your designated address via fully insured armoured carrier or transferred into your allocated vault account with full assay certificates.