Buying Bullion by Post: Guide to Ordering Bullion by Mail

Buying bullion online can feel scary, but if you’re buying from a trusted and reputable dealer, it’s a convenient, secure, and often more cost-effective way to grow your precious metals holdings.

If you’re new to the online bullion world, here’s our guide to buying bullion by post. We’ll show you what’s involved, how to make sure you're buying from a trusted dealer, and the benefits of buying bullion online versus in-store.

How does buying bullion by post work?

Here’s how the process of buying bullion online with StoneX Bullion works:

1. Register an account

The first step is to create an account. This takes just a few minutes and requires a registration address where your bullion will be delivered. When your account is set up, you’ll be able to track your orders, manage payment options, and receive updates to your order.

2. Choose your bullion products

Browse our range of investment-grade gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bars and coins and choose which bullion you’d like to invest in. We offer a wide range of products from world-renowned mints like the Perth Mint, PAMP Suisse, and the Royal Mint.

All our prices are updated by the minute to ensure you’re buying at the most up-to-date spot price. We also include detailed information about the weight, dimensions, and purity of each item so you can compare your options before adding them to cart.

3. Add to cart and lock your price

Once you’ve chosen your desired bullion, add the items to your cart and lock in their price. You typically have about five minutes to place your order and confirm it at the locked-in rate before spot prices update again.

4. Choose your delivery or storage option

We offer fully insured delivery on all orders, and all our parcels are dispatched through trusted couriers with discreet and unbranded packaging for maximum security.

If you request us to do so, we can also store your products at a reputable vault provider in Germany or any other country where we offer custody storage facilities. Your products will be stored in a pooled custody account separate from our own products. To use the storage service, choose ‘storage’ as your shipping option when checking out.

All items stored with StoneX Bullion are under our responsibility from the time they’re allocated to your storage account until the time they’re released to you at the agreed-upon delivery location.

5. Select your payment method

Depending on the size of your order, you can pay for your bullion via credit card or bank transfer. If you need added support for large orders, we recommend contacting our team.

6. Payment and order confirmation

Once your payment has been confirmed and cleared, you’ll receive a confirmation email and we’ll prepare your order for dispatch. Again, all shipments are fully insured up until the moment they’re signed for upon delivery.

7. Receive your bullion

Your bullion will arrive in secure, unbranded packaging to protect privacy and a signature is required upon delivery to make sure that each order reaches its intended recipient safely.

If you’re not available at the time of delivery, the parcel will usually be held securely at a local sorting or post office for up to two weeks before being returned.

Is it safe to buy bullion online?

As an online dealer, one of the most common questions we’re asked is whether it’s safe to buy bullion online. The answer is yes, so long as you choose a reputable and trusted dealer who ensures your investment is protected throughout the entire purchasing journey.

Here are some ways that online dealers protect bullion orders by post:

• Discreet, unbranded packaging: Bullion orders are shipped in plain, unmarked packaging with no indication of the valuable contents inside. This prevents unwanted attention and helps ensure your parcel remains secure during transit.
• Fully insured delivery: A trusted dealer will fully insure all shipments from the moment they leave the vault until they’re safely signed for by the customer. This means that if a package is lost or damaged in transit, the insurance covers the full value of the order for complete peace of mind.
• Tracked shipping services: Secure bullion dealers send parcels using a tracked delivery service. You’ll receive a tracking number once your order is dispatched so you can continuously monitor the parcel’s journey up until the moment it’s delivered to your door.

Before you buy from any online dealer, be sure to check their reputation first. Look for companies with positive customer reviews from third-party websites and industry affiliations or accreditations.

At StoneX Bullion, we’re part of StoneX Group Inc., a publicly traded Fortune 100 company with a long standing reputation in financial services and precious metals trading. We’re an affiliate member of the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) and are proud to hold a 4.7 TrustScore on the website Trustpilot.

See: LBMA: All You Need to Know

What precious metals can I buy online?

These are just some examples of bullion products you can buy online and have delivered to your door:

Gold bars and coins

Gold is one of the most popular bullion products. You can purchase gold bars in sizes ranging from 1 gram gold bars to larger weights like 100 gram gold bars or 250 gram gold bars. For those wanting to invest in bulk, you can even buy 1 kilogram gold bars.

There are also numerous gold coins you can order online, including the Gold Vienna Philharmonic, Canadian Gold Maple Leaf, and South African Gold Krugerrand.

If you live in the UK, some gold coins – like the Gold Britannia and Gold Sovereign – are exempt from capital gains tax (CGT).

Read More: Gold Bullion Coins & Capital Gains Tax

Silver bars and coins

Silver offers a more affordable entry point for those new to precious metals investing. Like gold, you’ll find several types of silver bullion to buy online, including silver bars in weights from 5 gram silver bars up to 1 kilogram silver bars.

You’ll also find a range of high-purity silver coins, including the Australian Silver Kangaroo and Silver Mexican Libertad.

Pre-owned bullion

If you’re buying bullion online, you’ll find that you can also often purchase pre-owned bullion products. These items might include bestselling coins from prestigious mints and even harder-to-find collector’s pieces. In some cases, pre-owned bullion can come at a discount compared to buying new.

Buying bullion online vs in-store

So why buy bullion online if you can visit a store in person? Here are some reasons:

Convenience

One of the main benefits of buying bullion online is convenience. You can shop for precious metals from the comfort of your own home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There’s no need to travel, schedule a store visit, or adhere to limited opening hours.

In just a few clicks, you can browse a massive range of products, compare prices, and place an order without having to speak to a single person.

Wider selection

Online bullion dealers often stock a broader range of bullion products compared to physical stores. For example, at StoneX Bullion we partner directly with major mints and refineries to provide a wide range of gold bullion and silver, platinum, and palladium products at the best possible prices.

Privacy and security

Some people consider buying bullion online to be risky, but it actually offers more privacy and security compared to buying in person. When you buy gold online, your order is shipped in discreet, unbranded packaging and fully insured until delivery. On the other hand, buying in person carries the risk of making a public transaction and carrying your high-value precious metals home through crowded areas.

Price transparency and affordability

The e-commerce business model often means that online dealers have lower overheads than brick-and-mortar shops, which means they can offer you more competitive rates. Additionally, most online bullion platforms clearly display live spot prices, premiums, and shipping fees at checkout so you have full transparency before confirming a purchase.

It can be harder to get this kind of information at a physical store, and many will charge higher premiums due to operational costs.

See More: What is the Cheapest Way to Buy Gold?

When to buy bullion in-store

Of course, buying bullion in-store also has its own perks. Some people prefer the benefit of immediately owning their bullion and being able to inspect the products before buying them. It can also be helpful to have face-to-face interactions with salespeople, especially for first-time buyers who value advice or guidance when purchasing bullion.

Can I sell bullion by post?

Yes, you can also sell bullion by post! Here’s how the process works with StoneX Bullion:

1. Check buyback prices

The coins and bullion products listed on our websites are ones we’re interested in buying. Look for the ‘Buy Price’ to see what we would offer you at that moment. You can also contact our customer service team by phone or email to request live buyback quotes based on the current spot price.

Note that live prices can change every two minutes, so our buyback rates are indicative until the bullion is received and verified.

2. Contact our team

Before sending your bullion, reach out to our team to register your intention to sell. We’ll provide you with clear shipping instructions and the address of our secure warehouse in Germany. This is where we inspect all incoming bullion products.

3. Prepare your shipment

When sending your bullion, include:

• A signed note listing the types of coins or bars, quantities, and
• Your personal information, including full name, phone number, email address, and bank account details for payment.

Make sure you package your items securely and use a tracked and insured postal service, as postage costs and risk during shipment are the seller’s responsibility.

4. Inspection and final offer

When your bullion arrives at our warehouse, our experts will inspect and verify them within 48 hours. You’ll then receive an invoice with a final offer based on the confirmed goods and current spot price.

5. Accept offer and receive payment

After you approve the final offer, we’ll immediately release payment to the bank account you provided. These payments are usually processed within two working days of you accepting the offer.

If you don’t accept the final offer, your bullion will be returned to you at your cost.

Read More: Selling Gold: How to Do it Right

Can I have bullion sent to a P.O. Box?

Unfortunately we cannot ship to a P.O. Box. All shipments need to be signed for upon delivery and we therefore need to ship to an address where somebody is available for signature.

How to verify a trusted online bullion dealer

Before placing a bullion order by post, here’s a quick checklist to help verify that you’re buying from a reliable source:

• Check customer reviews and ratings: Look for consistent positive feedback on third-party review platforms
• Verify company credentials: Choose dealers who are part of recognised industry organisations or linked to reputable institutions like the LBMA
• Look for clear contact information: Trusted dealers will provide transparent contact details, whether that’s a physical office address, phone number, or customer support email
• Check for insured & tracked shipping: Only buy from dealers who offer full insurance coverage during transit and provide tracking information for all shipments
• Ensure payment is secure: Make sure the website offers secure payment methods and uses encryption to protect your personal and financial information
• Read terms & conditions: Professional bullion dealers will have clear and detailed terms and conditions, privacy policies, and returns or storage options clearly listed on their website.

Tips for buying bullion by post

If you’re new to buying bullion online, here are some tips for peace of mind:

• Start small: Consider starting with smaller denominations to familiarise yourself with the ordering, shipping, and receiving process without committing to a larger investment upfront.
• Check delivery policies: Always review the dealer’s delivery and insurance policies before placing an order. Make sure they offer fully insured and tracked shipping in discreet, unmarked packaging.
• Research the dealer: Use our checklist above to make sure you’re buying from a trusted and reliable bullion dealer.

Buy bullion online with StoneX Bullion

Buying bullion by post is a secure and convenient method of growing your precious metals portfolio. At StoneX Bullion, we offer competitive prices, fast delivery that’s tracked and insured, and peace of mind knowing you’re working with a reputable and trusted online dealer.

Browse our range of investment-grade gold, silver, platinum, and palladium products and start preserving your wealth with precious metals today.