VAT, GST and Sales Tax on Gold, by Country
Investment gold bars and coins are free of VAT, GST and sales tax in 30 of the 41 countries here, including the UK, Germany, Switzerland, the UAE, Singapore, Hong Kong, the US and Canada. 11 add tax or import duty to them: Nepal (0.5% plus 20% duty), Ghana (20%), Colombia (19%), India (3% plus 15% duty), Kenya (16%), the Philippines (12%), Japan (10%), South Korea (10%), Nigeria (7.5%), Bangladesh (1% plus 2% duty) and Brazil (1%). Gold jewellery is taxed on its full price in 32 countries, from 0.5% (Nepal) to 23% (Ireland and Poland), and none on the gold itself in Turkey, Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.
Rules checked 26 October 2026 · Prices Oct 30, 2026, 21:55 UTC · Not tax advice
All 41 countries at a glance
| Country | Bars and coins | Jewellery | Import duty | Tourist refund |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Americas | ||||
| United States | 0% (0–10.55%) | 7.53% (0–about 12%) | none | No |
| Canada | 0%13% on some coins | 13% (5–15%) | none | No |
| Mexico | 0% | 16% | none | Yes |
| Brazil | 1% | several taxes | none | No |
| Colombia | 19% | 19% | none | Yes |
| Peru | 0% | 18% | none | No |
| Europe | ||||
| UK | 0% | 20% | none | No |
| Ireland | 0% | 23% | none | Yes |
| Germany | 0% | 19% | none | Yes |
| France | 0% | 20% | none | Yes |
| Italy | 0% | 22% | none | Yes |
| Netherlands | 0% | 21% | none | Yes |
| Poland | 0% | 23% | none | Yes |
| Switzerland | 0% | 8.1% | none | Yes |
| Turkey | 0% | 0% on the gold | none | Yes |
| Middle East and Africa | ||||
| UAE | 0% | 5% | none | Yes |
| Saudi Arabia | 0% | 15% | none | Yes |
| Kuwait | 0% | 0% | none | No |
| Qatar | 0% | 0% | none | No |
| Bahrain | 0% | 10% | none | Yes |
| Oman | 0% | 5% | none | No |
| Egypt | 0% | 0% on the gold | none | No |
| South Africa | 0%15% on some coins | 15% | none | Yes |
| Nigeria | 7.5% | 7.5% | none | No |
| Kenya | 16% | 16% | none | No |
| Ghana | 20% | 20% | none | No |
| South Asia | ||||
| India | 3% | 3% | 15% import duty | No |
| Pakistan | 0% | 3% | none | No |
| Bangladesh | 1% | 1.1% | baggage duty of Tk 5,000 per vori (about 2%) | No |
| Nepal | 0.5% | 0.5% | 20% customs duty | No |
| East and Southeast Asia | ||||
| China | 0% | 18.9% | none | Yes |
| Hong Kong | 0% | 0% | none | No |
| Japan | 10% | 10% | none | Yes |
| South Korea | 10% | 10% | none | Yes |
| Singapore | 0% | 9% | none | Yes |
| Malaysia | 0% | 0% | none | No |
| Thailand | 0% | 0% on the gold | none | Yes |
| Vietnam | 0% | 0% on the gold | none | No |
| Indonesia | 0% | 1.65% | none | No |
| Philippines | 12% | 12% | none | No |
| Oceania | ||||
| Australia | 0%10% on some coins | 10% | none | Yes |
Why investment gold is usually VAT-free
Most tax systems treat investment gold like money. The EU exempts it under the VAT Directive (articles 344–356), and the UK and Switzerland do the same: bars of at least 995 fineness, and coins of at least 900 fineness minted after 1800 that are or were legal tender and sell for no more than 180% of their gold value.
Elsewhere the purity line is usually 99.5%: Singapore (approved bars and prescribed coins), Australia, and Canada (where Krugerrands and American Eagles, at 91.67%, are taxed). The UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Oman zero-rate gold of 99% or more. Hong Kong, Kuwait and Qatar have no VAT at all.
Jewellery is taxed differently
Jewellery isn't investment gold, so it usually pays the full VAT, GST or sales tax rate on the whole price: the gold and the making charge together. A few countries tax only the work or the dealer's margin (Turkey, Egypt, Thailand, Vietnam) or charge no tax on gold at all (Malaysia, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Qatar).
Visitors can often reclaim the VAT on jewellery they take home. In the UAE, for example, the refund is the 5% VAT less a share kept by the operator. Ask the shop for a tax-free form before you pay.
VAT on Gold: FAQ
Is there VAT on gold?
Not on investment gold in most countries: the EU, the UK, Switzerland, the Gulf states, Singapore, Australia and Canada exempt or zero-rate bars and coins that meet purity rules (usually 99.5% for bars). Gold jewellery is usually taxed in full. Exceptions here: Nepal, Ghana, Colombia, India, Kenya, Philippines, Japan, South Korea, Nigeria, Bangladesh and Brazil tax bars or add import duty.
Which countries have no VAT on gold?
On investment bars and coins: the US, Canada, Mexico, Peru, the UK, Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, Turkey, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, Egypt, South Africa, Pakistan, China, Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia and Australia. On gold jewellery (the metal itself): Turkey, Kuwait, Qatar, Egypt, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.
Which countries charge the most tax on gold?
On bars, including import duty: Nepal (0.5% plus 20% duty), Ghana (20%), Colombia (19%), India (3% plus 15% duty), Kenya (16%) and the Philippines (12%). On jewellery, Ireland and Poland (23%).
Can tourists get the VAT on gold jewellery back?
In 18 of these countries: Mexico, Colombia, Ireland, Germany, France, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, South Africa, China, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and Australia. You usually need a minimum spend in one shop, a tax-free form from the seller, and the jewellery in your luggage when you leave; operators keep a fee. Investment gold is usually sold without VAT, so there is nothing to reclaim.
Is VAT charged on the gold or on the making charge?
Usually on the whole price of jewellery, metal and making charge together. Some countries tax only the work: . Brazil stacks several taxes on jewellery.
Related
General information on the tax a private buyer pays, checked 26 October 2026. Rules change; check with the seller, the tax authority or an adviser. Not tax advice.