How much gold can you travel with?

Many of our customers like to travel, or emigrate over the course of their lives and one of the most common questions they ask is this: how much gold can you travel with?

The answer varies, depending on your destination and your airline, so we’ve put together this simple guide to help explain the different aspects of what to consider when planning to take gold or silver abroad.

IMPORTANT: Please note that no responsibility can be accepted by Jewellery Quarter Bullion Limited for any loss caused by acting on information we have provided. We do not offer advice on tax or customs regulations, and strongly recommend that you conduct your own independent research before travelling, and speak to both the airline you are flying with and customs at your destination for accurate and up-to-date information.

Can I travel with gold internationally?

There are some restrictions on taking gold or other precious metals abroad, but you are relatively
clear to take your item(s) with you to whichever country you wish.

Some countries do require gold and silver to be declared, however, for the sake of customs duties
or other security measures. This is usually when the gold in question is high value, but some
countries – such as the USA – require full transparency.

Our advice is to thoroughly research the country or countries you are travelling to, to avoid disappointment
and the risk of confiscation if you fail to adhere to any customs rules.

Can I carry gold in an international flight?

Yes, it is acceptable to take gold with you on an international flight, though again it is strongly
recommended that you check the customs regulations for the country you are travelling to.

We also recommend consulting the airline you intend to travel with, for factors such as security
checks of baggage and the weight restrictions of your baggage.

For security, we would suggest both taking your gold bullion in your personal/hand luggage,
but also taking along some form of documentation (an invoice or receipt) to prove ownership
just in case.

Bringing gold into the UK

The UK government requires travellers to declare any goods on arrival that are:

• over your duty-free allowance
• that are banned or restricted
• that you plan to sell

If your gold is a gift or personal belonging, and within the UK regulations, then there should
be no issues with bringing it into the country. If you have to declare your items, then customs
agents will decide whether you are required to pay any taxes or duties on your gold (or other
precious metals).

For more information you can visit the UK customs website:
https://www.gov.uk/duty-free-goods/declaring-goods.

How much gold can you bring into the US?

The official United States customs rules state that there is no duty on gold bullion – whether
coins or bars – but that items must be declared to a Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
Officer.

If you are taking gold or silver into the US over $10,000 (unlikely in silver given the weight
restrictions) then you will be asked to complete a declaration form.

For more information, please visit the US customs website: https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/322/~/importing-gold-coins%2C-medals%2C-and-bullion.

Taking gold to India

India is one of the countries we are most commonly asked about at BullionByPost. Many of
our customers buy a range of gold bars and coins, especially to gift to relatives during the
wedding season.

At present, India has a 12.5% import tax on gold bars and coins. The rules for declaration
are relatively straightforward, but there is a 1kg weight limit for gold. If you are carrying
more than 1 kilo of gold then not only would you have to pay the 12.5% customs duty but
also there will be an additional duty charged on the amount of gold over the 1kg limit. At last
check this import duty was 36%.

Please note: India is an exceptionally large country, and while there are federal rules in place
for imports, there are also state laws and regulations to consider. Please consult regional
authorities or the foreign office for further information.

Travelling with gold coins

The gold (or silver) you take abroad is valued based upon the worth of the precious metal
involved.

For example: 10 Gold Britannia coins are worth approximately £1,500 per coin, or £15,000 in
total, but they have a face value from the Royal Mint of £100 per coin, which would be a much
more customs-friendly total value of £1,000.

Those passengers taking coins should be aware that the coin metal is the value, and not the
legal tender face value that mints often give their coins. The smaller valuation would be
dismissed, as these coins are not circulated currency. They are gold bullion, with their value
contained in the metal, and therefore would be assessed as such by customs agents.

Contact us: If you have any queries or concerns about any of the topics raised here, please call our customer support team on 0121 634 8060 or email us at support@bullionbypost.co.uk and we will endeavour to help.