Transporting precious metals requires awareness of regulations and practical security measures.
Domestic Travel (U.S.)
- No quantity limits for domestic travel within the United States
- TSA may screen metal items at airport security — they may appear as dense objects on X-ray
- Declare valuable items to TSA officers if requested
- Consider shipping via insured carrier instead of carrying in person
International Travel
- U.S. Customs requires declaration of monetary instruments exceeding $10,000 in value
- Gold coins and bullion qualify as monetary instruments
- Failure to declare can result in seizure and penalties
- Destination countries may have their own import rules, duties, and taxes
Best Practices
- Carry documentation proving ownership (receipts, assay cards)
- Use discreet packaging and carrying cases
- Never leave metals unattended in vehicles or hotel rooms
- Consider vault-to-vault transfers instead of personal transport for large quantities
The Practical Alternative
For significant holdings, professional insured transport or vault-to-vault transfer is safer, more insurable, and often less expensive than personal transport.