GOLD SHIPPING AND LOGISTICS: The Complete Professional Guide

1. What Is Gold Shipping and Logistics?

Gold shipping and logistics is the specialized discipline of physically moving gold — whether as bullion bars, gold coins, doré bars, raw gold ore, or refined precious metals — safely and legally from one location to another, across city limits or international borders.

Unlike shipping ordinary freight, transporting gold requires a convergence of high-security transport protocols, strict regulatory compliance, all-risk insurance coverage, and meticulous chain-of-custody documentation that most standard freight carriers are neither equipped nor authorized to handle.

The global gold logistics market handles enormous volumes. Global gold demand reached 4,741 tonnes in 2022 — the highest annual total in over a decade — and with gold prices surging over 40% in 2025, the financial stakes of every shipment have never been higher.

Whether you are a gold miner exporting doré bars from Africa, a refinery shipping processed bullion to European banks, an international trader moving gold to Dubai, or an investor transferring coins between vault locations, understanding how gold shipping and logistics works is essential to protecting your assets and avoiding costly, potentially criminal, compliance failures.

2. Types of Gold Commonly Shipped

Gold shipping logistics must be tailored to the specific form of gold being transported, because each type has distinct handling, documentation, and security requirements.

Gold Bullion Bars

Gold bullion bars are high-purity investment-grade gold, typically 99.5% to 99.99% pure, and represent the most common form of gold shipped internationally by institutions and large traders.

Bullion bars are produced by LBMA-approved refineries and must be accompanied by an LBMA Good Delivery certificate or equivalent assay report when shipped to major trading hubs such as London, Zurich, Dubai, or New York.

The HS code for non-monetary gold bars with purity over 99.5% is 7108.11. Bullion bars demand the highest level of security in transit due to their concentrated value — a single pallet of 400-troy-ounce Good Delivery bars can be worth tens of millions of dollars.

Gold Coins

Gold coins — including sovereign coins, Krugerrands, American Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs, and Chinese Pandas — are popular among retail investors and numismatists and are regularly shipped domestically and internationally.

Gold coins require individual tamper-evident packaging, full declared value insurance, and in many jurisdictions specific import permits or customs declarations even for small quantities. Shipping gold coins internationally requires the same AML compliance and export documentation as bullion.

Gold Doré Bars

Gold doré is a semi-pure alloy of gold and silver produced at mine sites and typically shipped to refineries for further processing. Shipping doré gold bars requires a certificate of origin proving the mine source, a doré assay certificate, and an export permit from the country’s mining authority.

Doré shipments from African mines to UAE refineries represent one of the most significant gold logistics corridors in the world.

Raw Gold Ore and Nuggets

Raw gold — whether nuggets, concentrate, or unprocessed ore — is the most heavily regulated form of gold to ship internationally. Most countries classify unprocessed gold as a controlled mineral requiring mining licenses, environmental compliance declarations, and special export permits before any shipment is authorized. The chain of custody for raw gold must be documented from the mine face to the point of export.

Gold Jewelry

While gold jewelry is also subject to customs declarations and anti-money laundering requirements when shipped internationally, it typically travels through different logistics channels than investment gold — often via specialized luxury goods couriers such as Malca-Amit or FedEx Custom Critical.

High-value consignments of gold jewelry above $10,000 require full insurance coverage and customs declaration in most jurisdictions.

3. Transport Modes for Shipping Gold Internationally

Choosing the right transport mode for gold is one of the most consequential decisions in the gold logistics process. Each method offers a different balance of speed, security, cost, and suitability for different types and quantities of gold.

Transport Mode	Transit Time	Security	Best For	Cost Level
Air Freight	2–5 days	★★★★★	Bullion, coins, high-value bars	Highest — belly holds, security screens
Armored Road	1–3 days	★★★★	Domestic & short-haul	High — GPS vans, escort protocols
Ocean Freight	14–40 days	★★★	Bulk, non-urgent loads	Medium — sealed containers, port security
Courier Services	3–7 days	★★	Under 1 kg, low-value pieces	Limited — tracked with signature
Rail	5–15 days	★★★	Land-locked corridors	Medium — sealed wagons, manifests

Air Freight — The Gold Standard for High-Value Shipments

Air cargo is the fastest and most widely used method for shipping gold internationally in 2025. Most high-value gold bullion shipments travel in the belly holds of commercial aircraft, with security screens conducted by the carrier before loading. Air freight gold transit times typically range from 2 to 5 days between major trading hubs such as London, Dubai, Zurich, Hong Kong, and New York.

A 2025 case study reported an Australian miner shipping 100 kg to Hong Kong via air freight and clearing customs in under 48 hours with full documentation in place.

The 2025 trend toward hybrid air-road solutions for Asia-Pacific gold logistics routes has reduced total shipping costs by up to 20% on some corridors.

Air freight for gold requires the shipper to engage a specialist high-value cargo handler and is not available through standard parcel services. Regular commercial couriers including FedEx and UPS prohibit gold bullion on their standard services — always check the carrier’s commodity acceptance policy before booking.

Armored Ground Transport for Gold

Armored road transport is the most cost-effective method for domestic gold logistics and short-haul international corridors. Armored vehicles used for transporting gold are GPS-equipped, staffed by trained and licensed security personnel, and operate under strict dual-control chain-of-custody protocols.

For high-value road shipments, armed escort teams accompany the vehicle. Companies such as Brinks, Loomis International, G4S, and Malca-Amit operate specialized armored fleets with multilayer vehicle protection and satellite tracking across all major continents.

Chain of custody is documented at every handover point — including vault entries, airport cargo terminals, and customs zones — using barcoded or RFID-tagged records that create a continuous audit trail verifiable by regulators and insurers.

Ocean Freight for Bulk Gold Shipments

Sea freight is used almost exclusively for bulk gold logistics where shipment volume makes air freight impractical and time sensitivity is low. Ocean freight for gold uses sealed, high-security containers with tamper-evident seals and manifests filed with port authorities before departure.

Transit times range from 14 to 40 days depending on the route and port. Ocean freight gold shipments require the same full documentation package as any other gold export — commercial invoice, certificate of origin, assay certificate, export permit, customs declaration, and all-risk marine cargo insurance.

4. Top Gold Shipping and Logistics Companies

Not all logistics providers are authorized or equipped to transport gold. Only carriers with specific licenses, security infrastructure, insurance approvals, and precious metals industry credentials should be engaged for gold shipments. Below is a guide to the world’s leading gold logistics companies.

Carrier	Network & Credentials	Services	Best For
Brinks Global	100+ countries; armored fleet; LBMA-approved vault operator; NYMEX/COMEX depository	Air, road, vault storage, chain of custody	Institutional banks, refineries, central banks
Malca-Amit	Offices in Dubai, London, HK, New York; CME-approved carrier; diamond & jewelry specialist	Air, road, vaulting, door-to-door, customs brokerage	Institutional & HNW individuals
Loomis Intl.	Switzerland-based; dominant in Europe & Americas; trusted Swiss central bank carrier	Air, road, vault, insured transit	European banks, Swiss refineries
G4S Secure Sols.	Global coverage; armed escort; GPS tracking; licensed under local security laws	Armored road, air escort, cash & valuables	Mining exporters, mid-tier traders
Ferrari Group	Luxury assets & precious metals specialist; strong ties to family offices & private wealth in Dubai, Zurich	Air, road, vault custody delivery	Private wealth, family offices

Brinks Global Services

Brinks is the world’s largest and most recognized gold transport company, operating in over 100 countries with a specialized precious metals division.

Brinks is an authorized depository for NYMEX/COMEX in New York and operates warehouses approved by the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA), making it the trusted carrier for institutional gold movements between the world’s major trading exchanges

. Brinks maintains specialized armored fleets, dedicated aircraft handling agreements for moving bullion in sealed containers, and trains security teams licensed under local security regulations in every country of operation.

Every gold package handled by Brinks is sealed, documented, and transferred under dual-control procedures with a continuous chain of custody from origin to destination.

Malca-Amit — Precious Metals Logistics Specialist

Founded in 1963 and originally based in Tel Aviv, Malca-Amit is now headquartered in Hong Kong and has grown into one of the world’s premier specialized logistics companies for precious metals, diamonds, and high-value assets.

With offices in Dubai, London, Hong Kong, New York, and over 700 US locations, Malca-Amit is the go-to carrier for international gold traders.

Malca-Amit Armored Inc. is a CME-approved carrier for the exchange’s gold, platinum, and palladium futures contracts. Services include door-to-door precious metals logistics, ultra-secure vault storage worldwide, customs clearance support, and express delivery for high-value gold shipments. Malca-Amit is ideal for traders exporting gold from Africa to Dubai or shipping gold bullion from the UAE to London.

Loomis International

Originally known as Via Mat International before a 2015 rebrand, Loomis International is Switzerland-based and dominates the European and South American precious metals transport market.

Loomis is the trusted carrier of Swiss National Bank banknotes and is deeply integrated into the Swiss banking and gold refining ecosystem.

As an LBMA-accredited security transport company, Loomis offers insured transit, vault custody, and full-service gold logistics solutions across North America, Europe, and the Far East.

CARRIER SELECTION RULE Always verify your logistics provider holds LBMA accreditation or equivalent national licensing, maintains full-value all-risk insurance coverage, and is authorized to operate in both the origin and destination country. Engaging an unlicensed carrier to transport gold constitutes a customs violation and voids insurance coverage.

5. Gold Shipping Security Protocols

Security is the non-negotiable foundation of every gold logistics operation. The following protocols are employed across professional gold shipping to protect consignments from theft, tampering, and loss throughout the transit chain.

Packaging Gold for Secure Shipment

Proper packaging for gold shipments prevents tampering, damage, and theft while maintaining the discretion required to reduce transit risk. Professional gold logistics packaging uses the following multi-layer approach:

• Inner layer: vacuum-sealed mylar bags with desiccant to prevent moisture contact
• Middle layer: foam-lined, reinforced inner box with inert padding to prevent movement
• Outer layer: double-walled corrugated cardboard or reinforced steel box with tamper-evident seals
• Each package sealed with a unique identification number that remains intact until delivery
• No external labeling indicating contents — never mark packages with ‘gold,’ ‘precious metals,’ or any value indicator
• Tamper-evident cases or bags to prevent unauthorized access at any stage of transit

GPS Tracking and Real-Time Monitoring

All professional gold shipments use real-time GPS tracking and 24/7 monitoring throughout transit. Armored vehicles are fitted with multilayer GPS systems and secure communications channels that relay location data continuously to monitoring centers.

Air freight gold shipments use cargo tracking systems that record every handover point from origin to destination. In 2025, blockchain-enabled gold tracking platforms are increasingly deployed to create immutable digital audit trails for gold logistics, reducing insurance premiums on Asia-Pacific routes by up to 20% in documented cases.

Chain of Custody Documentation

A continuous, unbroken chain of custody is mandatory for all gold logistics operations. Every transfer point — from mine or vault to carrier, from carrier to aircraft hold, from aircraft hold to destination customs, from customs to receiving vault — must be documented with dual-control verification.

This means two authorized signatories are required at each handover, with barcoded or RFID-tagged records created at every step. A complete chain of custody record is required for insurance claims, customs audits, and AML compliance reviews.

Security Personnel and Armed Escort

For high-value domestic road shipments and certain international transit corridors, armed security personnel travel with the gold consignment. Security teams are licensed under local security regulations and trained in protocols for high-value commodity transport.

For air transport, Brinks and Malca-Amit staff are present at departure and arrival airports during handover in the cargo zone. High-value shipments to Dubai are coordinated with Dubai Police for security clearance before the consignment is cleared for arrival.

6. Gold Shipping Insurance — Everything You Must Know

Shipping gold without full insurance coverage for its total declared value is one of the most expensive mistakes a gold exporter or trader can make.

Insurance for gold in transit is specialized, complex, and fundamentally different from standard cargo coverage. Understanding what your gold shipping insurance policy actually covers — and what it explicitly excludes — is not optional.

Policy Type	What It Covers	Best For	Premium Level
All-Risk Marine Cargo	Theft, physical loss, damage from any external cause during transit	Standard gold shipments — sea or air	Standard
Specialized Precious Metals Transit	Mysterious disappearance, robbery, all perils including war zones	High-value institutional bullion loads	Higher
Open Cargo Policy	Standing policy covering all shipments within a year; broad scope	Frequent exporters, repeat shippers	Tiered
Excess Limits Policy	Coverage above standard carrier liability limits	Loads exceeding standard policy caps	Negotiated

All-Risk Marine Cargo Insurance for Gold

All-risk marine cargo insurance covers shipments against physical loss or damage from any external cause during transit — including theft, accident, fire, water damage, and mysterious disappearance.

In 2025, digital submission of insurance documentation via platforms like the EU’s Single Window is standard practice. Insurance claims for gold transit losses require a police report and full documentation, and recovery rates average 90% when full paperwork is in place.

Note that standard all-risk marine cargo policies through most mainstream carriers explicitly exclude precious metals — including gold, silver, platinum, and bullion — as standard excluded commodities.

This means you cannot rely on a general freight forwarder’s cargo insurance to cover your gold shipment. You must engage a specialized precious metals transit insurance policy.

Specialized Precious Metals Transit Insurance

Specialized precious metals transit insurance is underwritten by insurance companies that focus exclusively on high-risk cargo including gold bullion, coins, and raw gold.

These policies cover tailored risks specific to gold logistics — including mysterious disappearance, armed robbery, war zones, and all perils from the moment of pickup to the agreed point of delivery.

Policy value is based on the declared invoice value of the specific consignment; confirm whether premiums, assay fees, and transport costs are included or excluded from the insured value before signing.

For businesses that ship gold regularly, an open cargo policy covering all shipments within a 12-month period offers both cost efficiency and continuous coverage.

Higher-value consignments that exceed standard policy caps can apply for excess limits coverage — always request an excess limit quote before dispatching extremely high-value loads. Insurance claims require a police report, full chain-of-custody documentation, the original commercial invoice, and the assay certificate.

What Gold Shipping Insurance Does NOT Cover

Understanding insurance exclusions is as important as understanding coverage. Most gold transit insurance policies do not cover:

• Routine customs delays or bureaucratic hold-ups at border crossings
• Deterioration or loss of value due to market price changes during transit
• Seizures resulting from undeclared or incorrectly documented gold
• Losses arising from the use of an unlicensed or unaccredited carrier
• Shipments where chain-of-custody documentation is incomplete or forged

7. Required Documents for Gold Shipments

Every gold shipment moving across an international border must be accompanied by a complete documentation package. Incomplete documentation is the single most common reason for shipment seizure, customs delays, and insurance claim denial. The following documents are required for legal international gold shipping.

Commercial Invoice

The commercial invoice must state the exact quantity, purity, and total weight of gold being shipped, the HS code (7108.11 for gold bars over 99.5% purity), the identity of seller and buyer, the declared value per gram or troy ounce, and the agreed Incoterms (FOB or CIF). This document forms the basis for customs duty calculation, AML screening, and insurance valuation.

Assay Certificate

Issued by a government-recognized or LBMA-accredited assay office, the assay certificate confirms the gold’s purity and weight. For LBMA Good Delivery bars, this is the Good Delivery certificate.

For doré bars from African mines, this is the government assay office certificate. No serious carrier will accept a gold consignment without a valid assay certificate, and no gold export permit will be issued without one.

Certificate of Origin

The certificate of origin certifies where the gold was mined or sourced, establishing a conflict-free supply chain. This document is critical for compliance with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Mineral Supply Chains and is required for gold entering the EU, US, and UAE markets under their responsible sourcing frameworks.

Export Permit

Issued by the relevant national mining or trade authority, the gold export permit is the primary legal authorization to move gold across borders. In Ghana, this is issued by GoldBod.

In Uganda, by the DGSM. In South Africa, by SARS. No gold logistics company should handle a consignment that lacks a valid, current export permit.

Packing List

The packing list describes the packaging, number of packages, gross weight, net gold weight, and transport method. Each individual package must be identified by a unique seal number that corresponds to the chain-of-custody records.

Insurance Certificate

Proof of all-risk or specialized precious metals transit insurance covering the full declared value of the consignment. Must be valid from the point of pickup to the agreed delivery destination and must name the correct insured parties and loss payees.

Customs Declaration

Filed with the national customs authority at the point of export and at the point of import. In the US, any gold shipment valued over $10,000 requires a FinCEN Form 8300 or CMIR filing.

In the UAE, declarations are submitted through Dubai Customs’ Mirsal 2 portal. OFAC screening of all counterparties is mandatory for US-involved transactions.

AML Declaration

A signed anti-money laundering declaration confirming that the gold was not acquired with illicit funds and that all counterparties have passed KYC screening. This is a legal requirement in every FATF-compliant jurisdiction and must be retained for a minimum of five years.

8. Customs Clearance for Gold Shipments

Customs clearance is one of the most complex phases of the gold shipping and logistics process, and it is where most delays and seizures occur.

Every country has its own customs procedures for gold, and these differ significantly depending on whether you are importing investment gold, raw ore, doré, or manufactured gold jewelry.

Customs Clearance Process for Imported Gold

1. Submit the full documentation package to the customs authority before arrival of the shipment
2. Undergo OFAC/sanctions screening on all counterparties — mandatory for US-bound shipments
3. Classify the gold under the correct HS code (7108.11 for non-monetary unwrought gold bars)
4. Declare the correct customs value based on the insured invoice value, including CIF where applicable
5. Pay applicable import duties, VAT, and processing fees — these vary significantly by country
6. Undergo physical customs inspection and weight verification if flagged for examination
7. Receive customs release and take delivery through your authorized logistics provider

Country-Specific Customs Requirements for Gold

United States: Declare all gold imports valued over $10,000 using FinCEN Form 8300. OFAC screening is mandatory. Gold bullion imported by authorized dealers may qualify for reduced duty under specific HTS classifications. CBP entry filing, customs bond, and pre-arrival notification required for commercial shipments.

United Arab Emirates (Dubai): Declarations via Mirsal 2 portal. DMCC responsible sourcing standards apply. AML/KYC reporting mandatory via goAML. Gold exports from Dubai attract zero duty and zero VAT. Assay and handling fees of AED 500–2,000 apply. Dubai Police security coordination required for high-value loads at DXB airport.

European Union: Investment gold is VAT-exempt in all EU member states. ENS 2.0 and ICS2 Entry Summary declarations now mandatory for all goods entering EU customs territory. OECD responsible sourcing compliance checks apply to gold from conflict-affected regions. Digital submission via EU Single Window is standard.

United Kingdom: Investment gold (bullion coins and bars) is VAT-zero rated post-Brexit. HMRC customs entry required. UK OFSI sanctions screening applies to counterparties in addition to UK financial intelligence unit (NCA) reporting requirements for suspicious gold transactions.

China: Gold imports over 20 grams per person require People’s Bank of China (PBOC) approval. Regulatory reforms proposed in September 2025 aim to simplify cross-border gold transactions and remove usage limitations on individual permits.

9. AML and Compliance Requirements for Gold Logistics

Anti-money laundering (AML) compliance is embedded at every stage of the gold shipping and logistics chain. Gold’s high value, portability, and globally fungible nature make it a commodity of intense regulatory scrutiny.

In 2025, AML non-compliance fines in the gold trade exceeded $1 million per case, and regulators in the EU, UAE, and USA are deploying AI-assisted transaction monitoring to flag suspicious gold shipment patterns.

Know Your Customer (KYC) Obligations for Gold Shippers

Every participant in a gold logistics chain — shipper, carrier, buyer, broker, and customs agent — must conduct Know Your Customer (KYC) verification of counterparties before the transaction proceeds.

KYC for gold logistics means: verifying government-issued identification of all parties; confirming business registration and licensing; screening against all applicable sanctions lists including OFAC, UN, EU, and OFSI; and documenting the source of funds used to acquire the gold.

Only banked payments are permitted — cash transactions for gold are prohibited in virtually every AML-compliant jurisdiction.

CRITICAL — DO NOT IGNORE Using cash to purchase or pay for gold shipments is a direct AML violation in most jurisdictions. All payments for gold must pass through verifiable, licensed banking channels. Failure to comply exposes shippers, carriers, and buyers to criminal prosecution, asset seizure, and permanent exclusion from the gold trade.

Responsible Sourcing and Conflict-Free Gold

International buyers and logistics providers are required to verify that gold does not originate from conflict zones or artisanal mining operations linked to human rights abuses.

The OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas (CAHRAs) is the global standard framework. In Dubai, the DMCC’s responsible gold trading guidelines prohibit sourcing gold from conflict zones.

LBMA-approved carriers will not transport gold that lacks a verifiable conflict-free chain of custody. A certificate of origin and a mine-source declaration are the minimum requirements for responsible sourcing compliance.

10. Gold Shipping Costs — What to Budget

The total cost of shipping gold internationally is made up of multiple components that must all be factored into the transaction economics. Underestimating shipping costs is one of the most common financial mistakes in gold export.

Freight and Carrier Fees

For armored transport services such as Brinks, Loomis, or Malca-Amit, gold shipping costs typically run at 1% or more of the consignment’s declared value for gold bullion on standard routes.

Silver bullion shipping typically costs 2% or more of value due to the larger physical volumes involved. Air freight belly-hold charges for gold are typically calculated per kilogram plus security handling premiums.

Hybrid air-road logistics solutions introduced in 2025 have cut total transport costs by up to 20% on Asia-Pacific gold corridors.

Insurance Premiums

Specialized precious metals transit insurance premiums are typically calculated as a percentage of the declared shipment value, with rates depending on the route risk profile, transit method, carrier accreditation, and completeness of chain-of-custody documentation.

Blockchain-tracked shipments with fully documented custody chains have achieved insurance premium reductions of up to 20% in 2025. Always insure at full declared value including assay fees and transport costs.

Customs Duties, Royalties, and Government Fees

Export royalties and duties vary by country of origin — from 5% in Ghana to 6% plus 1% clearing fee in Tanzania, to zero export duty in the UAE. Import duties at the destination must also be factored in, though many major gold trading destinations (UAE, UK, EU for investment gold) apply zero or reduced duty to qualifying gold products.

Assay and certification fees, customs declaration filing fees, and port handling charges round out the government-side cost picture.

11. Common Gold Shipping Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The consequences of mistakes in gold shipping and logistics range from costly delays to criminal prosecution. The following errors are the most frequently encountered and the most preventable.

• Using an unlicensed carrier: Engaging a freight company without specific precious metals transport authorization and LBMA or equivalent accreditation voids insurance and constitutes a customs violation. Always verify carrier credentials before booking.
• Underinsuring the shipment: Insuring at market value rather than full declared value including all associated costs leaves a significant recovery gap if a claim arises. Always confirm the insured value basis in writing before shipment.
• Labelling packages as gold: Marking outer packaging with the word ‘gold,’ ‘precious metals,’ or any value indicator dramatically increases theft risk during transit. All packaging must be discreet and neutral.
• Incomplete documentation: A missing assay certificate, expired export permit, or unsigned AML declaration can trigger a full customs hold, seizure, or permanent confiscation of the consignment. Compile and verify the full document package before booking logistics.
• Ignoring destination country import rules: The complexity of customs clearance is determined by the destination border, not the distance traveled. Always research the import regulations of the receiving country before dispatching a gold shipment.
• Using regular courier services for bullion: Standard courier companies including FedEx and UPS typically prohibit gold bullion on their standard service terms. Using them exposes the consignment to uninsured loss and carrier liability caps that bear no relation to gold’s actual value.
• Failing to conduct OFAC/sanctions screening: Any transaction involving a sanctioned party — even unwittingly — exposes the shipper, carrier, and buyer to severe legal consequences under US and international law. Screen all counterparties before every transaction.

12. FAQs About Gold Shipping and Logistics

Can I ship gold internationally by regular courier?

No. Standard courier services such as FedEx and UPS do not accept gold bullion on their standard service terms. Gold must be shipped through specialist precious metals logistics carriers — such as Brinks, Malca-Amit, or Loomis International — that hold the necessary licenses, security infrastructure, and insurance coverage for high-value precious metals transport.

How much does it cost to ship gold internationally?

Gold shipping costs typically run at 1% or more of the declared value for standard air and armored transport services. Total costs include freight fees, specialized precious metals insurance premiums, export royalties, customs duties at the destination, assay fees, and carrier handling charges.

For large institutional bullion loads, freight and insurance costs are often negotiated at flat rates per kilogram rather than percentage-of-value.

What is the HS code for gold in shipping documents?

The Harmonized System (HS) code for gold is 7108. Specifically, HS 7108.11 covers non-monetary gold in powder form; HS 7108.12 covers other non-monetary unwrought gold (including gold bars and doré); and HS 7108.13 covers other semi-manufactured non-monetary gold.

Using the correct HS code on the commercial invoice and customs declaration is mandatory for correct duty calculation and customs clearance.

Do I need to declare gold when shipping internationally?

Yes. All gold shipments crossing international borders require a customs declaration. In the United States, any import of gold valued over $10,000 requires a FinCEN Form 8300 filing.

In the UAE, declarations are submitted through the Mirsal 2 portal. In the EU, Entry Summary Declarations under ICS2 are now mandatory. Failing to declare gold at customs constitutes smuggling and results in confiscation plus criminal prosecution.

How long does international gold shipping take?

Transit time depends on the transport mode and route. Air freight gold shipments between major trading hubs take 2 to 5 days. Armored road transport for domestic or short-haul moves takes 1 to 3 days.

Ocean freight for bulk gold loads takes 14 to 40 days. Express air options at hubs like Dubai International Airport can complete the entire export-to-delivery cycle in as little as 3 days with full documentation in place.

What is LBMA and why does it matter for gold logistics?

The London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) is the global authority that sets the standards for gold and silver bullion quality, refining, and logistics. LBMA-accredited carriers — including Brinks, Malca-Amit, and Loomis International — are authorized to handle LBMA Good Delivery bars, which is the globally recognized standard for institutional gold trade. LBMA accreditation is the benchmark for carrier legitimacy in international gold logistics.

For informational purposes only. Always engage licensed gold logistics professionals, legal advisors, and insurance specialists in your specific jurisdiction before arranging any gold shipment.