Customs and Import of Precious Metals
Also: Precious-metal import, Gold import, Customs duty on precious metals
When precious metals cross borders, a declaration obligation applies within the EU from EUR 10,000, alongside import VAT and customs rules on entry from non-EU countries.
Anyone moving gold, silver, platinum or palladium across state borders operates within a tight web of customs, tax and anti-money-laundering law. Here are the key rules at a glance - not a substitute for individual legal or tax advice.
Within the EU: declaration obligation from EUR 10,000
No import duties arise inside the EU single market. Nonetheless the EU Cash Control Regulation (Regulation (EU) 2018/1672) applies: cash and equivalent stores of value - which include bullion coins and bars - worth EUR 10,000 or more must be declared when crossing a border (including within the Schengen area where checks apply). If the declaration is omitted, the precious metal can be provisionally seized and a fine imposed. In Ireland this is administered by the Revenue Commissioners.
Import from non-EU countries
On entry from a non-EU country (for example Switzerland, the USA or the United Kingdom), two further layers come into play:
| Level | What applies? |
|---|---|
| Customs duty | Gold bars and coins of recognised fineness: 0 % duty (customs code 7108). Silver, platinum, palladium: usually 0 % as well, check case by case. |
| Import VAT | Corresponds to the standard VAT rate (Ireland: 23 %). Investment gold is exempt under the VAT Consolidation Act 2010, Schedule 1 - so no import VAT on gold bars of at least 995/1000 fineness or on coins on the EU list. Silver, platinum, palladium are subject to import VAT (23 %). |
| Declaration obligation | From EUR 10,000 market value, a mandatory customs declaration applies. |
You can check the current market value of your precious metals in euro at any time via the melt value calculator or the live pages for gold price and silver price.
Investment gold - the special case
Investment gold (bars of at least 995/1000 fineness and certain coins of at least 900/1000) is exempt from VAT throughout the EU under the VAT Consolidation Act 2010 (implementing EU Directive 2006/112/EC, articles 344-356). On import from non-EU countries, therefore, no import VAT arises. Whether a specific coin counts as investment gold is decided by the annually updated list published by the European Commission. The tax estimator gives a first indication of the tax classification.
Anti-money-laundering obligations
Independently of customs law, Irish anti-money-laundering rules (Criminal Justice (Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing) Act 2010) require identity verification for cash transactions of EUR 10,000 or more. Precious-metal dealers and refineries are obliged to carry out customer due diligence and report suspicious transactions to the relevant authorities. Anyone bringing larger quantities across the border should keep purchase receipts and proof of origin to hand.
In short
Investment gold travels within the EU duty-free and VAT-free; from EUR 10,000 in value a declaration is required. Silver, platinum and palladium are subject to import VAT (23 %) when imported from non-EU countries. Purchase receipts and proof of origin protect against delays at the border. This is not tax advice.