Prevailing conditions for value storage in Switzerland and Liechtenstein

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Interesting facts about security, taxes, buying precious metals, reporting requirements and much more

The storage of physical precious metals and other valuables in Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein offers many advantages to investors from all over the world. Both countries are governed independently and neither is a member of the European Union (EU). Their geographical locations in the heart of Europe mean that each country can be readily accessed. Furthermore, a long-established tradition of protecting property rights and its status as one of the world’s largest financial markets make Switzerland in particular an ideal place to secure assets. In addition, the private storage facilities available in both these locations offer maximum privacy and operate outside the banking system.

You can read more detail about the options for storing assets and valuables in Switzerland or Liechtenstein in the following series of articles. Just click on a link below to learn more about that particular topic.

Switzerland, a safe country for gold

Switzerland is politically independent, has its own currency and, as a non-EU country, can make its own laws. Thus, gold and other precious metals can be safely stored without becoming subject to regulation or disclosure requirements – while still respecting ownership and property rights. Indeed, with its own vibrant gold market, Switzerland can offer some decisive advantages.

Taxes on gold imported into Switzerland

Many gold investment products such as coins, bars or granules are exempt from VAT when purchased. They are considered by law to be purely capital goods. And in most cases, importing investment gold into Switzerland is exempt from import tax and reporting requirements. However, there are some important exceptions investors should be aware of.

Taxes on silver imported into Switzerland

Investors wishing to transfer their silver to Switzerland for storage, will find an import tax applies to assets valued at 300 CHF or more. However, this can be avoided by making an alternative arrangement to have the silver delivered to a Swiss duty-free warehouse instead. It is also possible to purchase these same goods VAT-free from a Swiss dealer, and then send them for duty-free storage. Understanding how this works means investors can save on both VAT and import taxes.

Emergency law and expropriation – a comparison between Switzerland and Liechtenstein

Those wishing to store gold and other valuables safely and securely, should first weigh up the risks posed by different locations. Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein are both considered safe countries in which to keep assets. But when emergency law and expropriation are important considerations for precious metal investors, there remain questions to answer. In fact, investors should be aware there are some differences between these two independent states.

Liechtenstein announcement on the use of bank safe deposit boxes

Since October 2021, the Financial Supervisory Authority’s enhanced regulations apply in Liechtenstein. In order to curb money laundering, data about Liechtenstein’s bank customers must now be stored – which also means the existence of bank safe deposit boxes must now be disclosed. This creates a so-called safe deposit box register to which the authorities have direct access. However, as a private storage company, Swiss Gold Safe (Liechtenstein) Ltd. is not subject to this regulation.

Silver stored outside EU jurisdiction

Safe, bank-independent storage of silver and other white metals outside the EU is available in independent Switzerland. Investors can buy silver coins or silver bars VAT-free via local precious metal dealers and store them duty-free in private storage company facilities. In practical terms, this means investors can thus purchase more precious metal for the same money.

Security and privacy arrangements for safe deposit boxes

Although bank safe deposit boxes offer more security when storing valuables than any home safe, customer data must still be recorded. Nevertheless, privately managed, bank-independent safe deposit boxes continue to offer maximum security and privacy: no bank account is required, and there is no obligation to report to government agencies.

Fully anonymous safe deposit box facilities?

Home safes offer very limited protection for storing precious metals and other valuables. Safe deposit boxes offer more security. But can you arrange this option without disclosing your personal details? New anti-money laundering laws and consumer protection legislation seem to make this practically impossible. However, private security companies such as Swiss Gold Safe can still offer you maximum anonymity.

Bank-independent safe deposit boxes

In order to curb money laundering, bank safe deposit boxes are linked to bank accounts almost everywhere across the world. Such arrangements can be used to retrieve personal data, thus revealing the existence of a bank safe deposit box. However, the situation is very different with privately managed, bank-independent safe deposit boxes such as those offered by Swiss Gold Safe. Here, there is no legal obligation to disclose.

Advantages of individual custody compared to collective storage

Precious metals such as gold, silver, platinum or palladium can be secured using either individual custody or collective storage. While collective storage is usually less expensive, individual (segregated) custody offers many advantages: when assets are retrieved from storage, investors receive exactly the same coins or bars that they delivered into storage. Thus ownership rights are 100% preserved.

Gold depository or individual storage

When opening a gold depository, investors buy common coins or bars from precious metal dealers or via a direct sale at a refinery. These assets are then stored by the provider under collective custody arrangements. The alternative? Investors can opt for individual custody in bank-independent safe deposit boxes or via a depository at Swiss Gold Safe in Switzerland or Liechtenstein.

Alternatives to a home safe

Instead of storing valuables in bank safe deposit boxes, many private individuals often consider a home safe. However, this must meet certain requirements and the installation can be very expensive due to the additional systems required. Alternatively, gold, silver and other valuables can be stored with the private provider Swiss Gold Safe – in personal safe deposit boxes and outside the banking system.

Buy and store gold outside the EU

According to experts, investment products made of gold, silver, platinum or palladium are ideal for minimising the risk to your assets. These precious metals do not have to be purchased and stored in your own country. We recommend non-EU countries such as Switzerland or Liechtenstein, which are characterised by their stable economic and political situations and uncompromising protection of property rights.

Buying and storing gold offshore

Browse our informative Swiss Gold Safe guide to the purchase and storage of gold as an offshore investment. Follow our six-step plan to help you navigate through essential features, such as: choosing an optimal storage location, evaluating available storage formats and more – includes tips on finding a broker.

Insurance and proof of loss or damage to safe deposit boxes

Contents insurance is necessary to ensure that the value of precious metals, jewellery or cash stored in a safe deposit box is properly protected. Household contents insurance often takes effect in the event of a loss from your home safe or a bank safe deposit box. However, such general insurance protection is usually insufficient. This article contains detailed information about possible risks, and the obligation to provide evidence of losses.

Important criteria when choosing a safe deposit box and a safe deposit provider

Banks and precious metal dealers offer safe deposit boxes for private individuals and commercial institutions. But are these the best service providers to safeguard your precious metals and other assets whilst also securing your property of the stored goods? There are many points to consider when choosing the best safe deposit box provider, such as preservation of property, independence, experience and location.

Alternatives to a bank safe deposit box

Many investors store gold, silver, valuables or important documents in a bank safe deposit box. But there is a better alternative to this arrangement, or even buying a home safe: a bank-independent safe deposit box in Liechtenstein or Switzerland. Among many other advantages, you are not required to open an additional account.

Discontinued bank safe deposit facilities: An alternative option

Bank withdrawals of safe deposit box facilities are on the increase. This article offers an overview of the reasons for such terminations and suggests some alternative options for customers wishing to retain this mode of asset protection. Learn more about the benefits of independent safe deposit boxes which offer high security and enhanced privacy.

Encyclopedia: Bank failure & your safe deposit box

Many investors store valuables or important documents in a bank safe deposit box. However, if the bank should go bankrupt, access can be severely restricted. In certain circumstances, the bankruptcy executors can even use the contents of bank safe deposit boxes to settle bank customer debts. A bank-independent safe deposit box held in Switzerland or Liechtenstein is far less risky.

Protection against inflation using Swiss francs held in a safe deposit box

Inflation is a serious issue for economies worldwide. Yet Switzerland, with its conservative monetary policy and strong, independent currency, remains an exception. Furthermore, because the SNB continues to rely on cash, the Swiss franc is optimally placed to act as an alternative form of capital security for high-net-worth individuals. Banknotes can be safely and conveniently stored in bank-independent safe deposit boxes in Switzerland.

The strength of Switzerland & Liechtenstein in times of crisis

Whether it’s the coronavirus pandemic, the war in Ukraine or the Credit Suisse banking crisis – according to global comparisons, Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein are still considered prime, crisis-proof locations. With low inflation and competitive key interest rates, both destinations offer optimal conditions for storing gold in a crisis-proof environment. In addition, Swiss Gold Safe can even provide crisis-proof storage outside the banking system.

Altdorf in Switzerland: store your gold and combine it with a holiday break

In the Swiss town of Altdorf, at the heart of the canton of Uri, you can not only store your gold securely, but also enjoy some wonderful experiences. Located directly on Lake Lucerne and framed by the picturesque mountain panorama of the Alpine foothills, this Swiss community and its environs have a lot to offer the holidaymaker – including William Tell, the national folk hero, and the Rütli oath which underpins Switzerland’s historic confederacy.

The alternative to individual custody of precious metals in Switzerland

Together with partner company OrSuisse, Swiss Gold Safe offers investors from all over the world an innovative storage solution for precious metals. Its special feature? You receive internationally negotiable warehouse receipts for your segregated holdings which have the status of securities. This new concept is suitable for both gold and white-metal investments, which are then stored in a Swiss bonded warehouse with no minimum storage fee.

Online precious metal scams

The Internet offers investors many opportunities to find the best deals for purchasing and storing precious metals. But there is a great risk of falling victim to fraudsters with criminal intentions who use bogus websites and fake identities to perpetrate illegal scams. So how can investors better protect themselves against those with fraudulent ambitions?

Are stored assets vulnerable to electricity supply failures?

Power shortages or sudden power outages can pose a sustained threat to European infrastructure. But do unforeseen blackouts or controlled brownouts also impact upon precious metals and other assets stored in safe deposit boxes or in individual storage? Are storage providers in Switzerland prepared for such events?

Bequeathing gold or silver investments in individual custody

Clients value the discretion and privacy afforded by Switzerland’s domestic or duty-free warehouse options for storing their precious metals. But what considerations are there in the event of an owner’s death? And how are relatives to become aware of any stored assets? Owners should think about making arrangements for their heirs during their own lifetime and thus put appropriate measures in place today.

Death of safe deposit box holder and inheritance matters

Private safe deposit boxes in Switzerland or Liechtenstein, which can be managed outside the banking system, are popular with customers from all over the world. They can be used to provide secure storage for gold investments, cash or documents. However, in the event of the tenant’s death, the heirs should be able to gain access to the stored assets. Testators should make appropriate arrangements during their lifetime, and also consider the possible risks of a loss of capacity.

Gold taxation in Switzerland and its special features

Physical gold is regarded as an important product for building wealth and protecting accumulated assets against a loss of purchasing power. However, in Switzerland, both the purchase and possession of gold products such as jewellery, gold bars and gold coins can be subject to various taxes – primarily value added tax and wealth tax. So in what circumstances do these taxes become payable on gold products?

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