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Gold & Tax

Is Gold VAT Free?

Investment gold has been VAT free in the UK since the year 2000. Here is what qualifies and why silver is different.

Last reviewed September 2026

In short: Investment-grade gold coins and bars are exempt from VAT in the UK. Every coin we supply qualifies, so the price you see carries no VAT on top.

What counts as investment gold

Under UK VAT rules, gold coins qualify as investment gold when they are at least 900 fineness, minted after 1800, are or have been legal tender in their country of origin, and are ordinarily sold at a price close to the value of their gold content. Bars and wafers qualify at 995 fineness or higher. Britannias at 999.9 fine and Sovereigns at 916.7 fine both comfortably qualify.

Why gold and not silver?

The VAT exemption applies to investment gold only. Silver and platinum attract VAT at the standard rate of 20 percent, which means a silver buyer starts a fifth down before the metal moves at all. It is one of the main reasons serious UK wealth preservation tends to focus on gold.

Gold's double tax advantage

Combine the VAT exemption with the Capital Gains Tax exemption on UK legal tender coins and you get the full picture: no VAT when you buy a Britannia or Sovereign, and no CGT on the gain when you sell. Few assets in Britain are treated this favourably.

Read more: Is gold CGT free? · What is physical gold?

This page is general information, not tax, legal or financial advice. Tax treatment depends on your individual circumstances and tax rules can change. Please speak to a qualified adviser about your own position. The value of gold can go down as well as up.

No VAT. No CGT on the gain.

Explore UK legal tender coins with both advantages built in.

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COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently Asked Questions

Clear answers to common questions about physical gold ownership, delivery, storage and getting started.

Is physical gold tax-free in the UK?

UK legal-tender gold coins, such as Gold Britannias and Gold Sovereigns, are exempt from Capital Gains Tax, and all investment-grade gold we supply is free of VAT. This makes physical gold one of the most tax-efficient ways for UK residents to hold wealth.

How do I get started?

Getting started is simple. Book a free, no-obligation call with our team or download our free Gold Ownership Guide. We'll explain how ownership works, answer your questions and help you choose the right coins for your goals.

Do I actually own and receive the gold?

Yes. Every coin you buy is owned outright by you and delivered directly to your door. Your gold is never pooled or held on your behalf, so you keep full, private ownership of a real, tangible asset.

How is my gold delivered?

All orders are shipped using fully insured, tracked and signed-for UK delivery. Your gold is discreetly packaged and most orders arrive within 3 to 5 working days once payment has cleared.

Can I sell my gold back to you?

Yes. We offer a buyback service on everything we supply and will provide a fair, live market valuation whenever you decide to sell. Because Britannias and Sovereigns are widely recognised, they stay highly liquid and easy to sell.

How are your prices calculated?

Our prices follow the live gold spot price plus a small, transparent premium that reflects minting costs and product availability. Prices update through the day in line with the market, so you always pay a fair, current rate.

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Gold Tier Advisory Limited sells physical gold coins and provides general information about physical gold ownership. Nothing on our website or in our materials is an offer, recommendation or advice to buy or sell any investment. We deal only in physical precious metals. We do not offer options, derivatives, futures, shares or any other securities or regulated financial products. The value of gold can rise and fall, and past performance is not a guide to the future. Prices reflect the live market at the time of your order, so the amount you receive on any future sale may be more or less than you paid. Physical gold should be viewed as a long-term holding. Gold Tier Advisory Limited is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, and physical gold coins are not "specified investments" under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000. We do not provide tax, legal or investment advice, and no member of our team is authorised to do so. Any general information we share, including on Capital Gains Tax exemption for certain UK legal tender coins, is for context only and depends on your circumstances. If you are unsure whether physical gold is right for you, please seek independent financial, tax or legal advice before buying.