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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Get Answers to Common Investor Questions About Precious Metals, Payment Policies, Our Secure Delivery Process and More!


Why the U.S. Gold Bureau?

USGB, LLC d/b/a United States Gold Bureau (which may be referred to as “USGB,” “U.S. Gold Bureau,” “we,” “us,” or “our”) offers various precious metals products, including, without limitation, rare and modern U.S. and foreign coins, bullion, rounds, Investment Grade Coins, Proof Coins, and Special Order Items (all as may be defined below). We may also offer rare currency. All of these offerings may be collectively referred to as our “Products.” Our professionals are ready to assist you with all of your precious metals investing and coin collecting needs. When speaking with an account executive, you should expect to be treated fairly and to receive the most accurate information available to us. At the United States Gold Bureau, we highly value our relationships with our clients. This dedication to our clients has allowed us to earn repeat business on a consistent basis. The majority of our business comes from repeat customers! Headquartered in Leander, Texas, the United States Gold Bureau maintains a technologically advanced facility – helping to ensure that each order is processed and treated with tremendous care. We’re confident that once you do business with us, you will become a client for all your precious metal interests.

We’d enjoy the opportunity to speak with you, even if you’re not ready to buy and are simply interested in learning about how to acquire or invest in precious metals. Please call us anytime at (800) 775-3504. We look forward to assisting you with your precious metal needs.

Below you will find important information, including information regarding our Terms & Conditions of Sale and important risk disclosures regarding investing in precious metals. Please read our FAQs carefully as they answer many of the most common questions that you may have around the following topics:


Shipping, Handling, Security & Insurance

  1. What are the shipping, handling, security and insurance charges?
    Free shipping on all orders greater or equal to $99. Due to U.S. Postal Service policy, it is cost prohibitive to ship heavy packages (greater than 10 pounds) to a PO Box. If you require delivery of a heavy package to a PO Box, there will likely be a $110 surcharge applied to the order. However, we will work to provide alternative delivery options to avoid this fee whenever possible. Please note that due to government laws, we cannot ship to APO/FPO facilities.
  2. Do you ship internationally?
    Generally, we only ship to addresses in the United States of America; however, depending upon the specific country you are requesting shipment to and the import / export laws related to the delivery address, we may be able to ship to your international location. Clients from other countries must make payment via bank wire and may be responsible to arrange for their own transportation in certain circumstances
  3. How do you wrap your packages?
    All of our packages are carefully and discretely wrapped, typically in non-descript packages to not give any indication as to the contents inside. For security reasons, United States Gold Bureau (or variations thereof) does not appear on the outside package. You should be prepared to show a government-issued identification when accepting delivery of your package.
  4. How is my order shipped?
    We offer multiple shipping options depending on the type of order placed. Our carriers include UPS, USPS, and FedEx. Once your order is prepared for shipment, you'll receive a tracking number via email. Please note that before your package ships, it undergoes a secure verification and packaging process to ensure it meets our high safety standards. During this time, tracking updates may be delayed by 1–2 days. Delivery typically takes 3–5 business days once it leaves our facility, depending on the carrier. We do not offer package pickups on weekends. Important: We cannot redirect packages once they have left our facility. For direct inquiries, please call (800) 775-3504.
  5. Can you ship my order to a USPS post office box?
    Yes, we can ship to USPS post office boxes. However, some packages, depending upon the total weight of the shipment, may require an alternative shipping method.
  6. Is my package insured while in transit?
    Yes. All shipments are insured while in transit. See the section entitled “Shipping, Insurance, and Delivery” of our Terms & Conditions of Sale for details on insurance coverage and claims procedures.
  7. Are signatures required for my packages?
    Some packages require a signature upon delivery to ensure secure receipt. If you would like to request a direct signature for your package, please note that it will incur an additional shipping cost. This request must be specified to your account executive or by contacting customer service at (800) 775-3504.
  8. How long will it take to get my package?
    Unless you request otherwise and it is noted by your account executive, your order is typically packaged and shipped within 14 business days of receiving your good funds payment. While our goal is to fulfill orders within this 14-business-day window, please be aware that market demand and unforeseen circumstances may impact this timeline. Factors such as weather delays, product launches, security and compliance considerations, as well as weekends and holidays, may result in additional handling time. We are committed to processing and shipping your items as quickly and safely as possible. However, please understand that various factors—including the payment method used to settle your order—may affect the overall shipment time. AT TIMES, WE MAY SEND YOUR ITEMS IN MULTIPLE PACKAGES TO COMPLETE THE ORDER. ALTERNATIVELY, IF YOU HAVE PLACED MULTIPLE ORDERS, WE MAY SHIP ALL OF YOUR ORDERS IN A SINGLE SHIPMENT.
  9. Does USGB ever backorder items?
    Supply and demand problems occasionally occur in our industry, which may be the result of numerous situations occurring in the supply chain. These occurrences, although rare, are outside of the control of the United States Gold Bureau. From time to time, we have more buyers than sellers. If this should happen, we reserve the right to delay delivery up to 30 days (from your expected shipping date) to fill your order. Even if your delivery is delayed, your price is locked in and won’t change—regardless of any rise or fall in precious metals prices.
  10. Can The United States Gold Bureau store my precious metals for me?
    We recommend the Texas Bullion Depository for your precious metals storage needs. The Texas Bullion Depository is an agency of the State of Texas and is the only precious metals depository in the United States with government oversight that is available to the public for use. All deposits are capable of being stored in a segregated storage account (your metals are not comingled with other depositors), and all deposits include 100% all-risk insurance. The State of Texas operates the Texas Bullion Depository in the immediate proximity of the U.S. Gold Bureau, making logistics very simple when purchasing precious metals from the U.S. Gold Bureau for storage at the Texas Bullion Depository. You may find out more about the Texas Bullion Depository at: www.TexasBullionDepository.gov.

Buying From Us

  1. How do I buy from The United States Gold Bureau?
    Buying physical, alternative assets is easier than you may think. You can acquire precious metals directly on our website, or you can call us and we’ll walk you through the process. Contact us toll-free at (800) 775-3504 to learn how.
  2. Who can buy from The United States Gold Bureau?
    Our clients consist of individual investors, collectors, dealers, accumulators, banks, brokerage houses, and speculators. Whether you want to purchase large quantities or individual items, we can fulfill all of your needs. You must be 18 (eighteen) years of age and legally able to agree to our Terms & Conditions of Sale (see below), which are required in order to complete a transaction.
  3. Do you have a minimum order?
    Yes. Our minimum order is $99 per transaction, regardless of payment method. It can be in any combination of items you choose.
  4. Should I purchase gold, silver, platinum, palladium, Investment Grade Coins, rare coins and/or numismatics?
    As with any investment, diversification is always important. The United States Gold Bureau, its owners, executives, managers and staff members cannot predict the future; it is impossible for us to know what the value of a particular item will be in the future. For most people a good mixture of multiple types of alternative physical metal investments in your portfolio will help reduce your overall risk exposure.
  5. How much should I invest into precious metals?
    Most investment professionals recommend between 5 and 20 percent of your assets be in precious metals and alternative assets. Now more than ever, it is important to be diversified into alternative physical assets, including precious metals. The decision is ultimately yours, and if you’re acquiring precious metals as part of your investment portfolio, you may want to consult an independent registered investment advisor.
  6. Can I change my order after my order is confirmed?
    It depends. In many cases we can work with you to alter your order to meet your needs; however, with precious metals the value of the items you first agreed to acquire may have changed, possibly resulting in a need to reprice some or all of your order depending upon what you are trying to accomplish with your requested change. We recommend you carefully consider what you would like to acquire in order to minimize any change requests after you complete your transaction with us. You can find more details in our Terms & Conditions of Sale.
  7. Do you accept trade-ins of precious metals?
    Yes. We are always looking for new inventory. There may be tax implications for you when completing a trade-in. You should always consult your tax advisor for more specific information.
  8. What products does the United States Gold Bureau sell?
    We sell all types of precious metals. We specialize in Investment Grade Coins certified by the independent coin rating agencies NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company) or PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service), pre-1933 gold and silver coinage, silver and platinum sets, as well as gold, silver, platinum, and palladium bullion products from government mints and respected refineries around the world.

Watch this short video to learn more about the U.S. Gold Bureau and our goal to help our clients understand the importance of diversifying within precious metals.

Our Commitment to You:

We will always be honest and upfront with you, we will treat you with respect, and we will complete your order exactly as we have presented it to you – each time, every time.

It's important that you know that much of our business comes from referrals from satisfied clients and we rely greatly on these referrals to keep our company going. For this reason, superior customer service is not just a commitment, it's a necessity. The ultimate compliment you can provide is a referral to a friend or family member, and we consider it a privilege to receive your endorsement.


Pricing

  1. Do you add a commission fee to your quoted price?
    No. The price you are quoted is the price you pay. The only additional charges that may be added are for sales tax (when applicable, based on your state’s tax policy) and fees that may be based on your payment type (credit card, for example, has a fee added to cover the costs that we pay to process payment). Any such additions to the product prices are clearly displayed. The price you see listed as the grand total in the checkout process is the price that you will pay for your order. See below for references to orders paid by bank wire for other possible exclusions.

  2. Are the prices locked when I place my order?
    For transactions made on or through USGB’s website, your price is locked when payment is made. In the case of payment via bank wire, payment is considered made, and the price is locked, when the wire is received and funds are applied to your order. In the case of payments made via credit card or ACH (electronic check), payment is considered made when you place your order; provided, that, your payment method clears your bank. If your credit card is declined, or if our ACH debit of your account is rejected by your bank, we will call you to verify the information you provided to us at the time of your order.
  3. How long is my price locked in for when buying from U.S. Gold Bureau?
    For transactions made with USGB over the telephone, your price is locked immediately upon your verbal verification of your order. This process is governed by our Terms & Conditions of Sale.
  4. Our "Market Loss Policy" (Ask to Ask policy):
    Our Market Loss Policy applies to all Products and is most relevant for bullion metals due to their market volatility. Once you receive an order confirmation, the price for your purchase is locked or inventory has been allocated, and the transaction generally cannot be canceled, only offset at our current ask price. You can learn more about our Market Loss Policy in our Terms & Conditions of sale or by contacting our team at (800) 775-3504.
  5. Do you have quantity discounts?
    Yes. The United States Gold Bureau will potentially extend discounts on large orders or sizable orders of individual items. Please feel free to call us to discuss what you are looking for at (800) 775-3504.

Payments

  1. What forms of payment does the United States Gold Bureau accept?
    We accept check-by-phone (ACH or electronic check), major credit cards, and wire payments (over the phone only). The following guidelines apply to payments:
    1. Credit Cards: Accepted for orders up to a specific limit, which may change from time to time but is generally at least $20,000.;
    2. Electronic Checks (ACH): Accepted for all orders. When paying by ACH, you are authorizing a one-time debit from your account. No further debits will be made without your explicit request and agreement.
    3. Wire Payments: Only available for orders placed over the phone.
  2. Do you have a holding period on check or check-by-phone orders?
    Yes, orders paid for via check-by-phone are subject to a funds verification aging period, which may be as long as six business days. Direct bank wire is always recommended for payment when possible. Call your account executive if you wish to pay with wire.
  3. Where and how do I wire funds?
    Upon placing an order, we will provide you with instructions, which include our bank name, ABA routing number, and our account number. Upon receipt of your wired funds, your account executive will contact you to confirm your product selections and verify pricing. Any unused funds can be retained on your account for future transactions, or will be returned to you via check, at your discretion. Click here for wiring instructions
  4. What happens if my payment isn’t received within the applicable time period?
    It’s always best to send us your payment immediately to ensure that the United States Gold Bureau can honor the confirmed price. However, if your payment is not received in a timely manner, we reserve the right to either accept a new or late payment, refuse and cancel your order, or provide an updated quote based on the market price at the time we receive payment.

Our Products

  1. What are Bullion Metals?
    Bullion metals are gold, silver, platinum, or palladium in raw form—like coins, rounds, or bars—that are valued for their metal content. They are not proof coins, collectible coins, or certified pieces.

    1. All sales of bullion metals are final and non-refundable. However, under limited circumstances, you may be able to cancel your order, subject to applicable fees and conditions as outlined in our Market Loss Policy.
    2. We will buy bullion at the current bid price, which is generally very close to the COMEX “spot price” for precious metals. Bid price is determined according to our ‘Sell To Us’ program, which is available on our website at: usgoldbureau.com/sell-gold-silver.
  2. What are Investment Grade Coins?
    "Investment Grade Coins” are gold, silver, platinum, or palladium coins that have been authenticated, graded, and encapsulated (“slabbed”) by a reputable third-party grading service such as NGC (Numismatic Guaranty Company) or PCGS (Professional Coin Grading Service). These coins can be either modern or vintage, and their grade and authenticity are certified to industry standards, making them suitable for long-term investment and collection.

    1. You have 30 days from the receipt of your Investment Grade Coins to inspect the products (30-Day Product Inspection Period). You may return them, for any reason, for a product refund only. Shipping, handling, and insurance fees are non-refundable. In cases where you have requested a shipping delay or shipping hold, the 30-day return period will begin on the original ready-to-ship date.

    2. To return your Investment Grade Coins during the 30-Day Product Inspection Period, you must call us for a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) number within 30 days of receiving your coins. Returns without a valid RMA number will result in no refund. RMA numbers expire 15 days after issuance.

    3. You are responsible for the costs associated with packing, shipping, and insuring your Investment Grade Coins if they are being returned to our facility. You must insure your package for the full value of the products being returned.

    4. The United States Gold Bureau will accept returns for up to 15 days after the 30-Day Inspection Period; however, any return that falls outside of our standard 30-day policy is subject to a 10% restocking fee.

  3. What are Proof Coins?
    “Proof Coins” are gold, silver, platinum, or palladium coins that are specially made with a proof finish but not certified or graded by a third party coin rating agency. These coins are in their raw form, typically kept in their original government packaging (OGP), which usually include display boxes and certificates of authenticity.

    1. All sales of proof coins are final—there are no refunds.

    2. We will purchase proof coins based on the current bid spot price for their metal content and weight, plus any applicable market premium.

  4. What are Special Order Items?

    “Special Order Item” refers to any coin or product that is specifically requested by a client and sourced by us on their behalf, outside of our regular inventory. These items are not typically stocked and are acquired based on individual client interest or demand.):

    1. All sales of Special Order Items are final—there are no refunds.

    2. If you wish to sell a Special Order Item previously sourced at your request, we may assist by reaching out to our network to help facilitate a potential sale. We will make reasonable efforts to obtain a bid price from interested buyers; however, if no bid is received, we are not obligated to purchase the item ourselves. The resale of Special Order Items is subject to current market demand and availability of buyers.

  5. How are coins graded and authenticated?

    The United States Gold Bureau uses contemporary grading standards and interpretations to grade coins and relies upon the opinions of independent coin grading services such as the Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC) and Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS). Both of these grading services are recognized as industry leaders and they guarantee, grade, and certify each coin to be authentic. The United States Gold Bureau relies upon those guarantees in selling coins. However, the United States Gold Bureau does not guarantee that the coins we sell will achieve the same grade from any other grading service.


Sales Tax

  1. Do I owe taxes on my purchase?

    Your individual tax situation may vary. Consult a qualified tax advisor regarding sales tax, reporting, or other tax implications of buying precious metals.
  2. Does USGB report my purchase of precious metals to the IRS?

    The United States Gold Bureau is not required to report your purchase to the IRS or any other federal, state or local agencies unless you fall under the Internal Revenue Service Form 8300 requirement. If sales tax is applicable to your order, we are required to collect the sales tax from you at the time of purchase and remit it to the appropriate taxing authority; however, we are not required to report anything about the items you purchased.

Disclaimer: Risk Factors and Investment Considerations

  1. Are there risks?

    All investments involve risk—our Products are no exception! The value of a bullion coin (e.g., American Eagle coins, American Buffalo coins, etc.) is affected by many economic factors, including the current market price of bullion, the perceived scarcity of the coins, and other factors. Some of these factors include the quality and current demand and general market sentiment. Therefore, because both bullion metals and numismatic and Investment Grade coins can go down as well as up in value, investing in them may not be suitable for everyone. Since all investments, including our Products, can decline in value, you should understand them well and have adequate cash reserves and disposable income before considering investing in our Products. Some of the risks encountered when transacting in our Products are outlined in this section.
  2. Authenticity Risks:

    Forgery and counterfeiting are risks associated with the purchase of rare coins. To minimize these risks, it is recommended that investors only buy coins certified by one of the leading independent coin grading services. With the exception of certain uncertified circulated coins, each coin sold by USGB has been graded by either the Professional Coin Grading Service (PCGS) or by Numismatic Guaranty Corporation (NGC). Each of these coin grading services is recognized within the coin grading industry for its superior expertise, and each guarantees unequivocally that coins certified by it are authentic. USGB relies upon those guarantees in selling coins, and does not independently verify whether certified coins are authentic. Accordingly, the United States Gold Bureau disclaims any expressed or implied warranties associated with the coins, including that the coins are merchantable.
  3. Grading Risks:

    The value of a coin is highly dependent upon the condition, or “grade” of that coin. Since grading is a subjective process, there is risk in acquiring coins whose grades have not been independently certified by one of the leading independent coin grading services. The possibility exists that a coin could be misgraded by one of the independent grading services, and it is possible for such services to assign a different grade to the same coin upon resubmission. The guarantees provided by such services provide protection against misgrading, given the continuing solvency of the services. The United States Gold Bureau cannot be responsible for any of the services’ guarantees, or for subsequent changes in their policies and expressly disclaims any express or implied warranties associated with the grades assigned by PCGS and NGC.
  4. Volatility:

    Our Products are subject to price fluctuations, which may include significant and rapid increases and decreases in value from time to time. Investors must be able to assume the risk of such price fluctuations. The U.S. Gold Bureau does NOT recommend owning our Products if you are unable to handle the volatility risk.
  5. Investment Performance:

    During the period in which relatively accurate statistics have been maintained, many numismatic and Investment Grade Coins, Proof Coins, and Special Order Items have shown an ability to appreciate as an asset; however, that does not guarantee this will continue. The past performance of these products is not indicative of future performance; there is no way to predict what the future market may be for these products. The United States Gold Bureau is always prepared to assist you in selecting coins for your portfolio or collection, we will do our best to assist you in acquiring assets that have the best opportunity to accomplish your goals; however, there is no guarantee. You understand that the decision to purchase our Products is ultimately your decision alone.
  6. Unregulated State of the Numismatic Coin Market:

    The precious metals market is not subject to some of the forms of governmental regulation applicable to other forms of investment. Conversely, there can be no assurance that, in the future, regulations which materially affect the precious metals market will not be imposed. At present, there are no restrictions on the ownership of Investment Grade Coins, Proof Coins, and Special Order Items, and  ownership of these items may offer certain tax and privacy advantages. However, there is no guarantee that, in the future, these benefits will not be restricted or totally removed by government regulation.
  7. Bid Price:

    USGB is a major buyer of precious metals, including Investment Grade Coins, Proof Coins, and Special Order Items, in certain segments of the market. If you wish to sell your precious metals products in the future, USGB would appreciate the opportunity to provide you with a bid to purchase them from you. While we strive to provide a resale opportunity for most precious metals we offer, whether via direct purchase or our consignment program, we do not guarantee to make a direct bid on every item, particularly for products not originally sold by us. Our ability to make a bid depends on the nature of the product, current market demand, and whether the item aligns with our active inventory strategy. Should we make a bid on your products, it is our current practice, which is subject to change in our sole discretion, to offer to buy items that we commonly sell during our normal course of business. The bid price is raised or lowered on a daily, even hourly basis, depending upon various market conditions.
  8. Economic Forces:

    The success of an investment in Investment Grade Coins, Proof Coins, and Special Order Items is dependent, at least in part, upon extrinsic economic forces including supply, demand, international monetary conditions and inflation, or the expectation of inflation. The impact of these forces on the value of these items cannot be predicted with any certainty. No assurance can be given that an investor will be able to sell his or her coins at a price greater than or equal to their acquisition cost.
  9. Additional Risks & Considerations:

    The United States Gold Bureau does not guarantee that any client buying for investment purposes will be able to sell for a profit in the future. The value of raw bullion and raw bullion coins (e.g., PAMP Suisse gold bar, raw Gold American Eagle, raw Silver American Eagle, Canadian Maple Leaf, South African Krugerrand, etc.) is largely determined by the current spot or market price of bullion. This price fluctuates throughout the trading day.

    The value of Investment Grade Coins, Proof Coins, and Special Order Items is determined by multiple factors which can and do fluctuate independently from bullion prices. These factors include: the perceived scarcity of the coin, its quality, current demand, market sentiment, and economic factors. Bullion, rare coins and rare currency can go down as well as up in value. These items may not be suitable for everyone. The U.S. Gold Bureau does not determine the suitability of any specific person to purchase our Products. You should consult with your independent financial advisor regarding whether an investment in our Products is right for you. You should not acquire any products from U.S. Gold Bureau if you are not qualified to make your own financial decisions. You should obtain a thorough understanding of coin and bullion products before you acquire these products as a collector or investor.

    The investment value of our Products depends in large part on the price you pay. If you are acquiring any of the products offered by the U.S. Gold Bureau as an investment, you should evaluate its current market value, potential for appreciation and liquidity and consult independent sources regarding these factors. As these products can decline in value, you should have adequate cash reserves and disposable income before considering acquiring a coin, currency or precious metal product. We do not recommend early withdrawal from accounts or securities which may result in substantial penalties or fees in order to acquire precious metals.
  10. You should consult with your independent financial advisor before disposing of any security, annuity, Certificate of Deposit or other investment to acquire any of our Products. The U.S. Gold Bureau is not responsible for any changes in tax laws or other statutes which may affect any profit or salability of your coins or currency.

    Notice: Our account executives may be compensated through commissions; however, all staff members are also paid a salary or hourly rate. Their commissions, where applicable, are usually greatest on Investment Grade Coins, Proof Coins, and Special Order Items as these products involve much more time and effort to procure, assemble, and maintain. Their commissions are least on bullion metal related products. Their work experience, knowledge, background and training vary widely. They may receive, from time to time, undisclosed compensation for recommending specific coin or currency products.

    U.S. Gold Bureau employees are not licensed as investment advisors and are not authorized to recommend the purchase or sale of any product or investment other than the products sold by the U.S. Gold Bureau, specifically Investment Grade Coins, Proof Coins, and Special Order Items. Check with a licensed professional with expertise in a particular market before making a decision to buy or sell any security, bond, annuity or financial instrument.

    Further, account executives are not tax advisors and may not provide any advice regarding taxability, tax rates or related issues for any product the U.S. Gold Bureau sells. You should consult with your tax advisor regarding any questions about the tax implications of buying or selling bullion, rare coins, modern rare coins, or currency.

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