Cookie Policy

When you access our Website, a small amount of text called a “cookie” is stored in your browser. This text contains varied information about your browsing, habits, preferences, content customizations, etc. There are other technologies that work similarly and are also used to collect data about your browsing activity. We will refer to all these technologies collectively as “cookies”. The specific uses we make of these technologies are described in this document.

What are cookies?

In English, the term "cookie" means a small baked treat, but in the context of web browsing, a “cookie” is something entirely different. When you access our Website, a small amount of text called a “cookie” is stored in your browser. This text contains varied information about your browsing, habits, preferences, content customizations, etc. There are other technologies that work similarly and are also used to collect data about your browsing activity. We will refer to all these technologies collectively as “cookies”. The specific uses we make of these technologies are described in this document.

What are cookies used for on this website?

Cookies are an essential part of how the Website works. The primary purpose of our cookies is to improve your browsing experience. For example, they are used to remember your preferences (language, country, etc.) during browsing and for future visits. The information collected by cookies also allows us to improve the Website, adapt it to your interests as a user, speed up your searches, etc.

In certain cases, if we have obtained your prior informed consent, we may use cookies for other purposes, such as obtaining information that allows us to show you advertising based on an analysis of your browsing habits.

What are cookies NOT used for on this website?

The cookies we use do not store sensitive personal identification information, such as your name, address, or password.

Who uses the information stored in cookies?

The information stored in the cookies on our Website is used exclusively by us, except for those identified below as “third-party cookies,” which are used and managed by external entities that provide services to improve the user experience. For example, the statistics collected on the number of visits, the content that is most liked, etc., are generally managed by Google Analytics.

Third-party cookies are also commonly used to ensure payment transactions made through the Website.

How can you avoid the use of cookies on this Website?

If you prefer to avoid the use of cookies, you can REFUSE their use or CONFIGURE which ones you want to avoid and which ones you allow to be used (in this document, we provide extended information regarding each type of cookie, its purpose, recipient, duration, etc.).

If you have accepted them, we will not ask you again unless you delete the cookies on your device as indicated in the next section. If you want to revoke your consent, you will need to delete the cookies and reconfigure them.

How do I disable and delete the use of cookies?

The Owner displays information about the Cookie Policy on the cookie banner accessible on all pages of the Website. The cookie banner shows essential information regarding data processing and allows the User to perform the following actions:

  • ACCEPT or REJECT the installation of cookies, or withdraw previously given consent.
  • Change cookie preferences from the “Customize Cookies” page, accessible from the Cookie Notice or from the “Customize Cookies” page.
  • Obtain additional information on the Cookie Policy page.

To restrict, block, or delete cookies from this Website (and those used by third parties), you can do so at any time by modifying your browser settings. Please note that this configuration differs in each browser.

Below are links to instructions for enabling or disabling cookies in the most common browsers:

What types of cookies are used on this website?

Each website uses its own cookies. On our website, we use the following types:

ACCORDING TO THE ENTITY MANAGING THEM

  • First-party Cookies:

    These are those sent to the User’s device from a computer or domain managed by the editor and from which the service requested by the User is provided.

  • Third-party Cookies:

    These are those sent to the User’s device from a computer or domain not managed by the editor, but by another entity that processes the data obtained through cookies.

    If cookies are served from a computer or domain managed by the editor itself, but the information collected is managed by a third party, they cannot be considered first-party cookies if the third party uses them for their own purposes (for example, to improve the services they provide or to provide advertising services in favor of other entities).

ACCORDING TO THEIR PURPOSE

  • Technical Cookies:

    These are necessary for navigation and the proper functioning of our Website, such as controlling data traffic and communication, identifying the session, accessing restricted areas, remembering the elements of an order, processing an order purchase, managing payment, controlling fraud related to service security, making a registration or participation request for an event, counting visits for billing purposes of software licenses used by the Website, using security elements while browsing, storing content for video or audio dissemination, enabling dynamic content (e.g., loading animation for text or image), or sharing content through social networks.

  • Analytics Cookies:

    These allow us to quantify the number of users and thus perform statistical measurement and analysis of how users use the Website. We analyze your browsing on our Website to improve the products or services we offer.

  • Preference or Personalization Cookies:

    These allow remembering information so that the User can access the service with certain characteristics that differentiate their experience from that of other users, such as language, the number of results to display when a search is performed, the appearance or content of the service depending on the type of browser through which the User accesses the service, or the region from which they access the service, etc.

ACCORDING TO THE DURATION THEY REMAIN ACTIVATED

  • Session Cookies:

    These are designed to collect and store data while the User accesses a web page.

    They are generally used to store information that only needs to be kept for providing the service requested by the User on a single occasion (e.g., a list of purchased products) and disappear at the end of the session.

  • Persistent Cookies:

    These are those in which data remains stored in the terminal and can be accessed and processed for a period defined by the cookie manager, which may range from a few minutes to several years. In this regard, it is necessary to specifically evaluate whether the use of persistent cookies is needed, as privacy risks could be reduced by using session cookies. In any case, when persistent cookies are installed, it is recommended to minimize their duration as necessary for their intended purpose. To this end, Opinion 4/2012 of WP29 indicated that for a cookie to be exempt from informed consent requirements, its expiration must be related to its purpose. Consequently, session cookies are much more likely to be considered exempt than persistent cookies.

Details of cookies used on this website:

  • __stripe_mid

    Fraud prevention and detection

    Category: Functional.

    Duration: 1 year.

    Privacy Policy: https://stripe.com/en-nl/privacy

  • __stripe_sid

    Fraud prevention and detection

    Category: Functional.

    Duration: 30 minutes.

    Privacy Policy: https://stripe.com/en-nl/privacy

  • _wpfuuid

    (No further detail provided)

  • wordpress_test_cookie

    Cookie set by WordPress to check if the cookies are enabled on the browser to provide appropriate user experience to the users

    Category: Functional.

    Duration: session.

Invest Now

50%
50%

Complete the entire form to receive the quote.

Select a location where you would like to purchase gold. If no verified store is available in the chosen town or city, we will find you one in the nearest possible location.

Want to request specific coins, bars or delivery options? Use the comment box — we’ll tailor your quote.

Commission:
i💬Choose your preferred payment method...
Cancel

Once payment is completed, you'll receive a confirmation email, and we’ll immediately start processing your verified quote with exclusive gold prices.

This is a generic example of a quote negotiated through Gold Refuge, showing real prices and

products from a verified, LBMA-certified dealer. Your actual quote will be in your local currency and

tailored to your preferences, with similar discounts and fully resellable gold.

This is the total paid directly to the gold store.

The investment gold we offer is tax-free (except in India), and the 0.50%

service fee is separate and already paid via Gold Refuge.

Your final quote will always include product type, quantity, weight, unit price, total amount, and full

dealer details — no hidden information. You can request changes at any time — add or remove

products as you wish, directly with the seller.

All products offered are LBMA-certified bars and globally recognized coins —

ensuring your gold can be easily resold at full value anywhere in the world.

Taxes & Reporting Requirements for Buying Physical Gold Worldwide

📜 General Tax Considerations

VAT (Value-Added Tax): In most countries around the world, VAT is not payable on the purchase of physical investment gold as long as the gold meets the requirements for investment gold (bars or coins) and is of the appropriate purity.

What type of gold is exempt?
Ingots: Gold in the form of ingots must have a fineness equal to or greater than 995 thousandths (99.5% purity).
Coins: Gold coins must have a purity equal to or greater than 90%.
Note: The gold we offer at GoldRefuge always meets these conditions.

  • Capital Gains Tax: If you sell gold at a profit, many countries tax the gain. The rate and exemptions vary widely.
  • Reporting Requirements: Large transactions may trigger KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) compliance checks.
  • Import/Export Duties: Moving gold across borders may involve declaration and import taxes.
  • Holding Thresholds: In some countries, holding a certain amount of gold requires reporting it to tax authorities.

🌍 Country-Specific Overview

Below is a brief overview of tax and reporting rules in various countries. This is not exhaustive, and laws can change.

  • United States: No VAT on bullion purchases. Sales of gold are subject to capital gains tax. Transactions over $10,000 must be reported to the IRS. KYC is mandatory.
  • India: 3% GST (Goods and Services Tax) on gold purchases. Capital gains tax applies on resale. Large transactions must comply with PAN/Aadhaar and KYC rules.
  • China: There is no VAT to pay when purchasing physical investment gold.
  • Indonesia: No VAT on investment-grade gold. End consumers are exempt from the 0.25% tax under Article 22.
  • Brazil: There is no VAT to pay when purchasing investment gold, but the Gold Sales Tax (IVO – Imposto sobre Venda de Ouro) is required under the country’s new tax system.
  • Pakistan: When purchasing physical investment gold, no VAT is payable on the purchase Gold is subject to sales tax. Income from resale may be taxed as capital gains or business income. Regulations vary regionally.
  • Nigeria: VAT is not payable when purchasing physical investment gold, provided it meets the purity requirements (99.5% for bullion or 90% for coins). However, the purchase must be declared, and the sale may be subject to other taxes.
  • Bangladesh: There is no VAT to pay when purchasing physical investment gold.
  • Russia: No VAT or value-added tax is payable when purchasing physical investment gold in Russia since March 1, 2022. Reporting applies for transactions exceeding set thresholds.
  • Mexico: Gold purchases are VAT-exempt if classified as investment-grade. Profits on resale are subject to capital gains tax.
  • European Union: Investment gold is VAT-exempt under EU Directive 98/80/EC. Capital gains may be taxed depending on national law. KYC and AML regulations apply across member states.
  • United Kingdom: No VAT or value added tax is payable when purchasing physical investment gold.
  • Japan: There is no VAT or value added tax payable when purchasing physical investment gold as long as the gold is investment grade (99.99% pure).
  • Africa: There is no VAT or value-added tax to pay when purchasing physical investment gold in most African countries.
  • South America: VAT is not typically charged on the purchase of physical investment gold (high-purity ingots and coins), as these countries generally have similar legislation to Europe’s, exempting these types of transactions from VAT.
  • Middle East: There is no VAT on the purchase of physical investment gold.
  • Countries declared tax havens by the European Union: There is no VAT on the purchase of physical investment gold in these 47 countries: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Aruba, Belize, Bermuda, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Cape Verde, Cayman Islands, Cook Islands, Curaçao, Faroe Islands, Fiji, Macedonia, Greenland, Guernsey, Hong Kong, Isle of Man, Jamaica, Jersey, Jordan, Liechtenstein, Malaysia and Labuan, Maldives, Mauritius, Montenegro, Morocco, Nauru, New Caledonia, Niue, Peru, Oman, Qatar, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Seychelles, Switzerland, Serbia, Swaziland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Uruguay, and Vanuatu.

📌 Key Disclaimers & Tips

  • ⚠️ Laws Change: Tax laws and reporting requirements are complex and change frequently. Do not rely solely on this overview.
  • Always Verify: This information is for general guidance. Always consult a qualified tax professional in your specific jurisdiction before making any investment.
  • Keep Records: Meticulously keep all invoices, certificates of authenticity, and transaction records for tax purposes.

General Requirements for Buying Physical Gold Anywhere in the World

✅ Buyer Identification (KYC – Know Your Customer)

In most countries, for purchases above a certain amount (e.g., €10,000 or equivalent), you must provide:

  • Valid ID (passport or national ID)
  • Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement)
  • Sometimes, a source of funds declaration

Why? Due to Anti-Money Laundering (AML) regulations. All significant transactions must be documented.

✅ Qualifying Investment Gold

For physical gold to be tax-exempt or considered “investment gold,” it must meet certain criteria:

  • Bars: Minimum purity of 99.5% and weight marked
  • Coins: Legal tender in issuing country, minimum purity of 90%, issued after 1800

Valid examples: Krugerrand, Maple Leaf, Gold Eagle, Panda, French Napoleon, Swiss Vreneli

✅ Payment Methods

  • Bank transfer (preferred)
  • In some cases, credit card (limits may apply)
  • Cash discouraged for high amounts

✅ Storage or Delivery

Buyers must choose:

  • On-site gold pickup with passport or ID
  • Insured delivery to their address
  • Professional vault storage (e.g., Switzerland, Germany, Singapore)

Vaults incur annual costs but offer safety and confidentiality

✅ Export/Import Regulations (if applicable)

When buying gold in one country and taking it to another:

  • Declare the export if it exceeds the allowed limit
  • Follow import rules of the destination country
  • Some countries require declarations above €10,000 in precious metals

✅ Certification and Authenticity

Always ensure:

  • LBMA Good Delivery bars or
  • Official bullion coins from recognized mints

Request:

  • Certificates of authenticity
  • Invoice with serial number

📌 Additional Tips for InexperienceCd Investors

  • ❌ Avoid buying gold online without trusted intermediaries
  • ✅ Choose liquid, easy-to-resell products
  • ✅ Avoid rare collectibles unless you understand the market
  • ✅ Compare prices and premiums over spot price

Example Quote:

💬 This is a sample quote. Once you complete the form and pay the service fee, you’ll receive a verified quotation from a trusted gold dealer near your chosen location.

Country of purchase:
Amount:
 
Percentage in Bullion bars:
Percentage in Coins:
Comision:

Benefits included in the 0.50% commission

50%
50%

Complete the entire form to receive the quote.

Select a location where you would like to purchase gold. If no verified store is available in the chosen town or city, we will find you one in the nearest possible location.

Want to request specific coins, bars or delivery options? Use the comment box — we’ll tailor your quote.

Commission:
i💬Choose your preferred payment method...
Cancel

Once payment is completed, you'll receive a confirmation email, and we’ll immediately start processing your verified quote with exclusive gold prices.