Shipping and Delivery of Precious Metals
Precious metals ship in plain, unmarked packaging, insured until delivery, with an adult signature required. For directly owned metal, the package comes to you or a carrier location; for IRA metal, the dealer ships to an approved depository instead and you never receive it at home. Knowing the timeline and inspecting the order carefully on arrival prevents most problems.
From Payment to Shipment
Shipping usually starts only after your payment has cleared. A bank wire often clears fastest; personal checks may be held for several business days. Some products ship from stock, while others, such as newly released coins, may have longer lead times. Ask for the expected ship date on your order confirmation and get any delay explained in writing.
The price is typically locked when you confirm the order, so a shipping delay should not change what you pay. Check your purchase agreement for how delays are handled; our guide to reading a purchase agreement lists the clauses to look for.
How Packages Are Protected
Insurance in transit
Reputable sellers insure each shipment for its full value until it is delivered and signed for. Confirm that the seller, not you, bears the risk while the package is in transit, and ask how claims work if a package is lost or arrives damaged.
Signature and adult delivery
Expect a signature requirement. If you will not be home, many carriers let you redirect the package to a staffed carrier location for pickup with identification. Avoid releasing a signature requirement just to avoid a missed delivery.
Discreet packaging
Packages are typically plain boxes with no dealer name or contents description on the outside, and the return address may be generic. Heavy silver orders may arrive in several boxes. Treat the outer packaging carefully after delivery; our page on storing gold at home covers discretion.
When the Package Arrives
- Check the outer box for tears, crushed corners, or retaping before signing, and note any damage with the carrier.
- Consider recording the unboxing on video, from the sealed box to the last item, which can help if there is a dispute.
- Count and compare every item with the packing list and your invoice: product, year if specified, quantity, and weight.
- Inspect condition. Look for damaged capsules, scratched coins, or broken assay cards.
- Report problems promptly. Many sellers set a short window for reporting shortages or damage, so read the terms before the package arrives.
- File the paperwork. Keep the invoice and packing slip with your records; see record-keeping for precious metals.
If you want to check authenticity, our guide on how to spot fake gold and silver describes simple checks such as weight and dimensions.
Watch for Delivery Scams
Fraudsters sometimes send texts or emails that claim a package is held and request a fee or personal details. Use only the tracking number on your order confirmation, entered directly on the carrier's website. Report suspicious messages to the FTC at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Shipping Metal Out When You Sell
When you sell directly owned metal by mail, the direction reverses and so does the risk. Before shipping, get the buyer's written instructions, including the exact address, how to label the package, and whether the buyer provides a prepaid insured label. If you arrange shipping yourself, confirm that the carrier service you choose allows insurance for precious metals at the full value; some services and carriers limit or exclude coverage for bullion and coins. Pack items so they cannot shift, avoid writing anything on the box that hints at the contents, and keep the receipt and tracking number. Photograph the items and the sealed box before handing it over. Our guide to selling gold and silver covers the rest of the process.
Delivery to a Depository
Metals bought for a self-directed IRA follow a different path. Under 26 U.S.C. 408, the account's assets are held by a custodian, and IRA metals are kept in an approved depository rather than at home. The usual sequence is:
- The custodian approves the purchase and sends funds to the dealer.
- The dealer ships the metal, insured, directly to the depository.
- The depository receives, counts, and records the metal, in segregated or non-segregated storage.
- The custodian's records and your account statement then reflect the holdings.
You can confirm receipt with the custodian; your statement should list the metals. See precious metals depositories explained and reading your precious metals IRA statement.
Taking Delivery of IRA Metals Later
If you later want IRA metal shipped to you, that is an in-kind distribution. It is generally taxable, may be subject to an additional tax if taken before the IRS-defined age, and is reported by the custodian. The rules are in IRS Publication 590-B, and our page on in-kind distributions explains the process. A licensed tax professional can explain how it applies to you.
Shipping With Goldco
Goldco, a precious metals company, ships direct purchases to buyers and sends IRA metals to an independent insured depository. Ask its precious metals specialists for expected timing and how shipping and insurance are handled for your order, and review the written terms. See how Goldco works, step by step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I have gold shipped to a P.O. box?
Many sellers do not ship bullion to P.O. boxes because a signature is required. Ask the seller about its policy.
What if my package shows delivered but I did not receive it?
Contact the seller immediately. Because the shipment is insured until signed for, the seller typically starts a claim with the carrier.
How long does delivery to a depository take?
Timing depends on the custodian's processing and the dealer's shipping. Ask both for typical timelines.