Bringing gold into Switzerland

Is it true that once you take say a UBS 999.9 bar out of the bank that it loses value and needs re assaying as you have 'broken the integrity chain' ? BullionVault seem to say this but they dont tell you how you can take delivery either - thanks for you help ......did the bucket have a lid?

Im no expert on this, but IMO the answer is no. As an example, the physical both from the Perthmint as well as Kantonalbank can be sold to them back as they have the stamp of the Perthmint assayers and Kantonalbank assayers respectively - and they are both internationally recognized. In fact KB give you an authenticity certificate as some bars are also serial numbered (at least those that are greater than 500grams). However, KB do give you less for bars that are not from their bank and so buy back their bars at a higher price than others - possibly this could be the extra cost for the assaying but im not sure. Of course im not sure about bars from UBS but i would imagine it is similar to those of KB.

If however you have some gold bar that is not from a recognised distributor than the answer would be that it definitely needs to be assayed.

Here is a link for the perthmint where they mention the perthmint mark: http://www.perthmint.com.au/investme..._barspage.aspx

'''The Perth Mint mark is internationally recognised and can usually be traded internationally without the need for assay.'''

You don't have to declare in if it's coins or fine gold bars. It is equal to cash.

But, customs officer can ask about legality of it. Then of course if you don’t have any invoice or may be customs declaration from US in case it’s your fathers gold and you don’t have any other docs for it, you can be in trouble. But again, all depends on a situation.

Article 44 of the Swiss VAT Ordinance 2010 (Tax exempt turnovers in gold coins and fine gold) clarifying Article 107 Section 2 of the Swiss VAT Act 2010 1 The following turnovers are exempt from the tax:

a. state minted gold coins with customs tariff numbers 7118.9010 and 9705.00007;

b. bank gold under Article 144a Sections 1 (a) and 2 of the Precious Metal Control Ordinance dated 8 May 1934;

c. bank gold in the form of granules with a minimum standard of 995 per mille, which have been packed and sealed by an accredited examiner-smelter or in another form accepted by the Federal Finance Department (EFD) with a minimum standard of 995 per mille;

d. unprocessed or semi-finished gold that is destined for refining or recovery;

e. gold in the form of clippings and scrap.

2 Alloys, with two or more percent by weight gold or, if platinum is contained therein, with more gold than platinum also constitute gold in the sense of Section 1 (d) and (e).

Article 61 of the Swiss VAT Ordinance 2010 (Input tax deduction for gold coins and fine gold) clarifying Article 107 Section 2 of the Swiss VAT Act 2010 The tax on deliveries of goods and services used for turnovers under Article 44 and imports under Article 113 (g) can be deducted as input tax.

Coins,bars and granules are not goods. The other items mentioned are exempted but must be declared.

ABC

If you do not declare it at customs upon entry to Switzerland, it can well be confiscated, you can be fined and charged with smuggling.. just as a precaution...!

I think you meant that no taxes and/or VAT can be levvied upon goldbars? Or maybe I misunderstood your point?

If you want to sell your bullion or chip issued by the USA. No Bank in Switzerland will accept it if you are an US citizen or taxed by the USA.

Smuggling is an act of bringing something in to coutry with an avoidance of custom duty or VAT.

Unless there is a special restrictions on a cash turnover/possessing like in EU, gold coins and banking gold are equal to cash.

You didn’t misunderstood me. If you buy it from here for example, and fly direct by SwissAir you don’t have to declare anything. They can check you, and that is a second part of a situation. Explaining how, on who’s behalf and so on...

If all is clear they will release you in a 10 minutes. If not, no matter, it’s a gold bars or briefcase filled with 500 euro packs.

I also found this for you.

http://xtares.admin.ch/tares/details/tarifDetailFormFiller.do;jsessionid=TCVDnH1n6QShKq TMRpsL6rF9tfS3vD3D7R21CN1yLz0GYQXfWrZJ!-852897854?tn=7108.2000&zc=00&schluessel=000&isAppl ying=true

Sorry Amaras,

I wasn't clear... you have to declare it to customs (as in informing them) - this does not mean that you have to pay duty/vat. Haven't found anything on that, it's a bit ambiguous, since you could import it that way as a good and sell it on.. Not sure if there would be a "precious metal control" as indicated by Kein Französisch, but it is possible if not likely...

if you take gold out of u.s. you need an export permit, if over several thousand dollars. they will see it at airport security when leaving.

You don’t have to declare any amount of cash, or a quantity of banking gold or coins.

All that is required – being in a legal position of it if discovered by customs inspector.

Some years ago, when people had run gold out of South Africa, because of very tough export regulations they had a kind of gold hawala.

A person bought krugerrands over there, but picked them in Dubai, for a fee of course, and then flew to Switzerland, wearing a special heavy waist.

They didn’t declare anything on arrival, but an invoice on that person name was the necessary security. Swiss customs doesn’t care what kind of restrictions are there, in a country where gold was purchased. They just need a proof of possession legality. I mean original south african invioce, real one.

I would rather believe there is a declaration obligation on exports, for a purpose of controlling refineries gray production. But not on imports. No need for that.

Risky, but not of same level everywhere. It’s a big, big word.

Singapore Customs Media Release

Disregarding the legality aspect for the moment - how, exactly, would the airport scanner distinguish a Krugerrand from a non-gold coin, or a small gold bar from a belt buckle?

The actual piece of Gold which you buy in UBS does not loose value, rather you are overpaying buying it at UBS since they charge a spread of about 1% so if you buy it and want to resell straight away you will loose money since thy do not give you the middle price.

That is just flat out wrong.

Nearly every country requires a declaration of monetary instruments beyond a value identified in their laws. For the US it is $10,000. Throughout the EU, including the UK, and in CH, it is €10,000.

Monetary instruments include cash, coins, checks, travelers checks, bank drafts, etc.

While one may carry as much money as he or she chooses, failure to declare money above the threshold results in SEIZURE and often times FORFEITURE.

Since last night I have also found that investment gold is EXEMPT from VAT in the UK. It is also EXEMPT from Duty in the US. I haven't yet found anything specific to Switzerland.

I think the greatest risk from the Swiss authorities, if the quantity of gold was fairly large, is that they may insist you accept Swiss nationality.

It is possible to buy 100 g gold bars in sealed plastic 'cards' from UBS Basel which have a registration number from the bank on them. If you bring this back to the bank for resale there will be no problem. You are merely offered the (lower) price.

Similarly, when you buy gold in 1 kg bars you are provided with a separate registered certificate. If the certificate and gold bar number check out when you take it back for resale and the gold is in reasonable condition and the weight ok then they do not re-assay it. I have done this twice the last time being about two years ago.

what?! that's very trusting of them. how hard can it be to stamp a number onto a fake gold bar with a tungsten core?

this is what worries me about the internet -that you are so sure of this...yet its completely breaking the law. (which is very simple and there are signs round airports etc)

As explained earlier on two occasions I have sold a 1 kg bar back to the UBS in Basel (where I have no account) and they handed over the money to me in cash without asking for or receiving my identity.

I thought the "no questions asked" policy only applies to pre-1945 German bars (has to have an eagle on it). They are considered antiques and duty free.

Yes, but Switzerland is not an nearly every country.

http://www.iatatravelcentre.com/CH-S...%20regulations

Export to be declared, for number of watches as well..that is to control production.

Measures related to the combat of international crime, however, remain reserved.

http://www.euraxess.ch/maincontent/i...4-customs.html

Failure to declare will (or can) only result questioning. And if persons MT999 is fine, guess what..