International Precious Metals
Independent Asset Storage Outside the US
Many US investors choose to hold gold and silver offshore as a way to keep a portion of their assets completely private and out of the US.
If you’re considering doing the same – whether you’re looking to buy metals internationally or move what you have out of the US – you need to work with a team that knows the business.
That’s where we come in. With decades of experience helping clients buy (or move), hold, sell, and handle the related tax and compliance issues, we know what it takes to do this right the first time.
No guesswork. No confusion. Just a clear path forward.
Who This Is For
A Comprehensive Precious Metals Storage Solution
Clients who engage us for this service typically already have precious metals overseas or are interested in setting up a non-reportable holding of gold, silver, platinum, and sometimes palladium in a private international vault.
They also realize the logistical side of things can be complicated and value having one contact who can take care of the entire chain of events from start to finish.
- Privacy: You want a legal and compliant way to hold physical assets outside the US… without having to report it.
- Straightforward Moving Process: You want an experienced guide who can help you move your current holdings of US metals overseas, and manage things like export controls that can be confusing even for experienced brokers.
- Buying Abroad: You are interested in purchasing metals directly at reasonable prices without stumbling over issues like taxes, onerous fees, and other “gotchas”.
- Compliance Support: You don’t want to have to deal with the finer points of compliance, paperwork or tax matters, but would rather deal with someone who can manage it all for you.
When handled correctly, holding precious metals is an excellent and easy way to keep some of your net worth out of the US and off the grid. However, we’ve found that many foreign vaults don’t truly understand US compliance and tax considerations – it’s often the biggest source of missed filings and tax headaches that we’re asked to clean up. For that reason, it’s very important to get good advice in this area before proceeding.
We Support
Jurisdictions
We support the most popular jurisdictions for international precious metals storage.
Europe
- 🇦🇹 Austria
- 🇱🇮 Liechtenstein
- 🇨🇭 Switzerland
- 🇬🇧 United Kingdom
North & Central America
- 🇨🇦 Canada
- 🇵🇦 Panama
Caribbean
- 🇰🇾 Cayman Islands
Asia & Pacific
- 🇸🇬 Singapore
- 🇳🇿 New Zealand
Storage & Ownership Structures
Allocated
You own specific, numbered bars or coins. They are set aside just for you and are not part of the vault's general inventory.
Non-Allocated
You own a share of a pool of metal. Your specific bars are not set aside, which can lower costs but increases risk if the vault faces financial hardship.
Segregated
Your metal is stored in its own sealed container, separate from all other clients' holdings. This offers the highest level of security and clear ownership.
Commingled / Non-segregated
Your metal is stored alongside other clients' metal of the same type. This is often cheaper but means your specific bars are not individually identified.
Coins and Bars
Gold Coins
American Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf, Chinese Panda, American Buffalo, Austrian Philharmonic, South African Krugerrand.
Silver Coins
American Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf, Mexican Libertad, Austrian Philharmonic.
Gold & Silver Bars
PAMP Suisse, Valcambi, Heraeus, Argor-Heraeus, Johnson Matthey, Perth Mint, Credit Suisse, Engelhard.
Location Options
Bank Vault
Stored inside a major financial institution's secure vault. Good for clients who already bank with the institution.
Safety Deposit Box
You rent segregated space at a bank, in which you can place a variety of assets. Typically best if you want to hold non-metal assets. Often lower cost than a private repository.
Private Repository
Stored in a specialized, high-security facility, usually dedicated solely to precious metals. Often offers more flexibility and specialized insurance.
Note: How you choose to store the metals will affect pricing, product availability, and US reporting requirements. We do not recommend making a decision on your own without clearly understanding the pros and cons of each option.
The Problem
International Precious Metals: Promise and Pitfalls
Going it alone when moving or buying metals offshore can be risky. Even experienced investors can stumble when dealing with international logistics and US reporting rules. Following are some of the more common problems our clients run into as they get started.
You Don't Know Where to Start
The market is filled with many options, but finding one that is truly safe, reasonably priced, and that understands US compliance rules is difficult without insider knowledge.
Export Controls Are Tricky
Moving metals out of the US involves strict export rules. A mistake in documentation can lead to seized shipments or significant delays.
Specialist Shippers Won't Work with Individuals
Moving precious metals across borders is almost exclusively handled by specialized logistics firms that often refuse to work with individuals directly. They only work with other businesses that understand the space. We act as that necessary link, opening the door to these professional shippers so your metals can move with a minimum of hassle or delay.
Reporting Can Be Overwhelming
If you already hold metals abroad, you may be unsure if your FBAR or FATCA filings are correct, or if they are even needed. (Sometimes they are, sometimes they are not.) The fear of accidental non-compliance is real.
Mistakes Cost Money
Wrong storage choices, poor contract terms, or missed deadlines can result in unexpected fees and lost assets. In the worst case, you could trigger a substantial and unexpected tax bill.
We help you avoid these pitfalls
We don't just tell you what to do; we guide you through the process so you can move forward with confidence.
What We Do
At its core, we help make your efforts to set up and maintain a foreign precious metals account easy and hassle-free. In practice, we provide the following services.
Strategic Planning
We identify a compliant plan that meets your goals. Whether you are moving assets from the US or buying new ones abroad, we identify the best jurisdiction and structure to fit your needs.
Access to Trusted Networks
We open doors to the industry's best. We connect you with top-tier vaults, reputable refiners, precious metals dealers, and specialized logistics firms that often require a professional intermediary to work with.
End-to-End Coordination
We oversee the process between all parties and help to organize your vault, your shipper, and other needed professionals so that they work to the same timelines and requirements.
Compliance Navigation
We translate complex US and international rules into clear action steps. We help you understand your reporting duties (if applicable) and assist in keeping paperwork in order alongside your accountant (or with ours if preferred).
Oversight & Risk Management
We monitor the entire process. From contract review to final delivery, we watch for red flags and help confirm your assets are handled according to your specifications.
OUTCOMES
By the End of the Process…
Clients have engaged us to help them move, manage, and sell many millions of dollars in precious metals over the years. Here’s what they enjoy about this service.
Clarity
We give you a clear, step-by-step plan that removes the guesswork from having foreign precious metals accounts.
Security
You can rest easy knowing your assets are stored in a vetted, secure location with strong legal protection.
Control
You remain the owner and decision-maker. We simply provide the expertise and support to help you execute your vision.
Privacy and Dollar Diversification
If structured properly, you gain a private asset not connected to any financial or banking system, or exposed to the US Dollar or traditional market risk.
Peace of Mind
We work to deliver a smooth process where we handle the coordination so you don’t have to.
Fee Structure
We believe in clear, upfront pricing. Our fees cover our strategic planning, coordination, and ongoing support. We do not earn commissions from vaults, dealers, or shippers.
Project-Based Fee
A flat fee for clearly defined engagements focused on a specific goal. This includes choosing the best location for your metals, helping with an overseas purchase, or overseeing the movement of your metals to a private international vault.
Annual Retainer
A predictable monthly or yearly fee for ongoing support. This covers continuous help with foreign and US tax compliance, regulatory updates, and assistance if you choose to sell or move your metals back to the US.
Third-Party Costs
Please note that fees for tax or legal professionals, vaults, and logistics are billed separately by those resources. We help you estimate these costs upfront so there are no surprises.
Contact us for a custom quote based on your specific goals and location.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to common questions about our international precious metals services.
Can Gold IRAs be moved offshore?
Yes, they can, and it’s something we do regularly. However, there are important considerations that you need to be aware of. Feel free to get in touch if you already have a Gold IRA and need to better understand how this works.
Will moving precious metals trigger taxes?
Simply moving physical metals you already own does not usually trigger a taxable event if you retain ownership. However, if you sell the metals in the US and then buy them abroad, or, in the case of an IRA, if the transfer is deemed a distribution, tax consequences may arise.
We help you plan these moves to avoid unintended tax triggers and coordinate with your tax advisor to analyze the specific circumstances.
How much does it cost to move gold internationally?
Costs vary significantly based on weight, distance, insurance, and the method of transport. There are also costs for customs clearance and potential import duties depending on the destination country and the type of metals being moved.
For that reason, there is no “menu” of services; specialized logistics companies provide detailed quotes customized to each client.
Is it better to sell the gold in the US and buy overseas, or to ship it over?
This depends on your goals. Selling in the US and buying abroad avoids shipping risks and insurance costs but may trigger a taxable event (capital gains or ordinary income depending on how long you’ve owned it).
Shipping existing holdings allows you to retain your cost basis but involves logistics and insurance risks.
As part of this service, we help you understand the options and the potential costs so that you can determine what’s best for you.
Can't I just carry my precious metals across borders?
While technically possible, carrying large amounts of precious metals across borders carries significant risks.
First, many countries have strict declaration thresholds (often $10,000 USD equivalent), and failure to declare can lead to confiscation or fines.
More than that, the US requires precious metals leaving the country to first get an export declaration through a user-unfriendly program called the Automated Export System. Failure to do so could mean your metals not being allowed to leave.
And lastly, transporting metals personally exposes them to theft or loss.
For all those reasons, we recommend using professional and insured logistics services.
We help you understand the currency risks and economic stability of a specific country so you can decide if it fits your broader diversification strategy.
Can't I just call a broker to move my metals myself?
You can, but there is more to this than just shipping. Unless you plan to fly over and receive the metals yourself, you need to arrange a receiving institution on the other end. Almost no vault or repository will accept a shipment that just shows up at their door unannounced — the liability and security risks are too high.
There are also reporting considerations to be aware of before you move anything, and customs issues can arise if a general freight broker is unfamiliar with the specific requirements for handling precious metals.
We coordinate all of these moving parts — the shipping, the receiving, the paperwork, and the compliance — so nothing is left to chance.
Do foreign precious metals have to be reported back to Uncle Sam?
It depends entirely on how they are held. Metals held in a personally-held format — where you have direct physical ownership, such as in a private vault under your name — are generally not reportable.
However, metals held in a custodial arrangement — where a financial institution holds them on your behalf — typically are reportable under FBAR and FATCA rules.
If privacy is a priority for you, understanding this distinction is critical before you set anything up. We help you understand the difference and structure your holdings accordingly.
How do I sell my metals when they're overseas?
Selling your metals abroad is straightforward, but the process depends on your goal. Depending on how you hold it (allocated vs unallocated, segregated vs non-segregated) and the type of account you hold (custodial vs personally-held), there will be slightly different processes.
In all cases, you can sell in the jurisdiction where they are stored, which avoids the cost and risk of shipping them back to the US.
However you plan to do it, we coordinate the sale, handle the logistics of the transfer, and arrange for the proceeds to be sent to your designated account. We also help you understand the tax implications of the sale (i.e. capital gains) and prepare the necessary documentation for your tax professional.
Can I physically visit and see my metals?
Again, it depends on how it’s held but generally, yes. As part of the planning process, we’ll lay out under what conditions this is possible and can help you arrange these visits.
I'm thinking about moving my existing gold overseas. Do I need to travel to a jurisdiction to put it in a vault?
Generally speaking, no. In fact, most clients never leave the US during the process.
Depending on where you live, we can coordinate the pickup of your metals, arrange for specialized, insured shipping to the destination country, and manage the customs clearance and final delivery into the vault. You simply sign the necessary paperwork and authorize the transfer.
International travel is only needed if you wish to personally inspect the vault or your holdings once they arrive, but it is never a requirement for the setup.
Domestic travel may be needed if there is no qualified receiving facility within the US able to accept precious metals shipments.
To find out what may apply to your specific situation, please get in touch.
What happens to my metals if something happens to me?
If the metals are held in your name, they are part of your estate. If you pass away, your heirs can inherit them, but the process depends on how the assets are titled and the local laws of the jurisdiction.
In general, a responsible planner will work to avoid having your metals holdings subject to probate in any country but your home one.
How long does the whole process take?
The timeline varies based on your starting point and the destination.
- Buying New Metals: If you are purchasing new metals abroad, the process typically takes 2–4 weeks from the initial consultation to the metals arriving in your account.
- Moving Existing Metals: If you are moving metals from the US, it can take 4–8 weeks. This includes time for export paperwork (AES filing), arranging specialized shipping, customs clearance in the destination country, and final vault acceptance. We work to keep the process moving efficiently, but we also prioritize accuracy and compliance over speed to avoid costly delays or seizures.
A qualified provider should keep the process moving efficiently while ensuring every step meets the necessary regulatory requirements.
It’s worth noting that the slowest piece of this process often comes with opening the account with the vault—most commonly because of the documentation and verification requirements that need to be completed on the client’s end.
If a client is able to turn around the paperwork quickly, this process can sometimes be sped up depending on jurisdiction and service provider.
Is my gold insured while in storage and during shipping?
Yes, but the coverage depends on the structure.
- During Shipping: Professional logistics firms carry specialized insurance for precious metals in transit. We help you secure a policy that covers the full replacement value from pickup to delivery.
- In Storage: Most reputable vaults carry comprehensive insurance for the total inventory they hold. However, for allocated storage, it is vital to confirm that your specific bars are covered under the vault’s policy or that you have arranged separate coverage. We can help you understand what that means.
Is there a minimum amount to work with you?
We work with clients across a wide range of asset levels. While there is no strict minimum, our services are most effective for clients with a meaningful allocation to precious metals (at least $250,000+ in metals value).
That said, every situation is unique. If you have questions, feel free to contact us for a confidential discussion.
Don't see your question? Contact us—we're happy to help.
Schedule a Complimentary Introductory Call
The first step is a conversation with one of our associates. This gives us a chance to learn more about you, answer your questions, and determine whether we’re the right fit to help.
During the call, we'll:
Learn about your goals and what you're trying to accomplish
Discuss any international investments or assets you own (or are considering)
Answer questions about our services and how we work
Explain what working with Nestmann Group typically looks like
Determine whether it makes sense to move forward
There’s no obligation. If we believe we can help, we’ll explain the next steps. If not, we’ll tell you that too.
Schedule Your Introductory Call
The easiest way to get started is to schedule a conversation with one of our associates.
Call us directly:
(602) 767-1717
Mon - Fri, 8am - 5pm MT