Buy Gold with Gold Avenue: Free Swiss Vault Storage

Gold Avenue is a Swiss precious metals investment platform offering physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium with vault storage, instant buyback, and VAT-free options. As the official online retailer of MKS PAMP GROUP, Gold Avenue combines institutional-grade Swiss security with digital accessibility for European investors seeking allocated precious metals ownership.

This review examines Gold Avenue’s storage fees, buyback terms, LBMA certification, and user experiences based on 4,978 Trustpilot reviews to help you decide if it’s right for your investment strategy.

Review Summary Box

Best For: European investors seeking VAT-free precious metals storage in Switzerland
Main Pro: Free insured storage up to £8,500 with instant 0% commission buyback at spot price
Main Con: 3% credit card surcharge for instant payment processing
Rating: 5/5

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Gold Avenue Pricing Comparison

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Gold Avenue Core Features

• 100% Allocated Physical Metals: Gold Avenue sells exclusively fully allocated precious metals—products purchased are 100% customer-owned and segregated from company assets. Products include bars from PAMP Suisse, Argor-Heraeus, Royal Canadian Mint, Royal Mint, Heraeus, Austrian Mint, Perth Mint, Swissmint, and Italian State Mint. All Swiss-made gold bars are newly minted 999.9 fine gold (24 carats).
• Swiss AAA Secure Vaults: Storage occurs in segregated vaults outside the banking system. Products remain off Gold Avenue’s balance sheet, protecting customer ownership even if the company experiences financial difficulties. All stored products include full insurance against theft, loss, and damage at no additional cost.
• Instant Spot Price Buyback: Gold Avenue purchases back stored products 24/7 at spot price (current market price) with 0% commission. The platform does not retain any portion of the buyback amount. Sale proceeds credit immediately to the Gold Avenue Pay account and transfer to customer bank accounts free of charge upon request.
• Real-Time Performance Monitoring: Web-based wallet provides real-time precious metals value tracking based on current spot prices. Computer users access performance tools displaying portfolio value changes, allowing informed selling decisions.
• Flexible Delivery Options: Customers can request physical delivery of stored products at any time. Gold Avenue ships throughout Europe via Swiss Post, UPS, Helveticor, Brinks, Loomis, and other trusted international carriers within 4-10 business days. All shipments include full insurance against theft, damage, and loss.

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Gold Avenue VAT-Free Storage

European VAT Savings on Storage

Products stored in Gold Avenue’s Swiss freeport facility become 100% VAT-free regardless of metal type. This storage advantage eliminates VAT charges that would otherwise apply:

• Gold: VAT-free throughout Europe (whether stored or delivered)
• Silver, Platinum, Palladium: 8.1% VAT in Switzerland, 20% VAT in France and the UK, 19% VAT in Germany, 22% VAT in Italy

How VAT-Free Storage Works

Customers choosing Gold Avenue’s storage solution avoid all VAT charges on silver, platinum, and palladium during the storage period. Products can be sold back to Gold Avenue instantly at 0% commission without ever paying VAT. VAT applies only upon delivery request to your country, along with shipping and insurance fees.

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Gold Avenue Pros & Cons

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Gold Avenue Fees & Charges: The Reality

Storage Costs

Holdings up to £8,500 incur £0 monthly fees with free storage forever. Holdings between £8,500 and £85,000 cost £8 per month (with 3 months free storage initially). Holdings above £85,000 incur 0.5% annual fees with custom pricing tailored to portfolio size.

Payment Processing

Credit card payments process instantly but carry a 3% surcharge. Purchasing £5,000 in gold via credit card costs an additional £150 in fees. Wire transfers avoid surcharges but require 1-3 business days for wallet crediting due to compliance and reconciliation requirements. Wise transfers experience similar delays despite instant settlement to Gold Avenue’s bank account.

Instant bank payments process directly through your bank account, providing immediate payment confirmation without credit card surcharges.

Delivery Fees

Physical delivery requests trigger shipping and insurance fees. Deliveries ship within 4-10 business days across Europe. Stored products incur country-specific VAT upon delivery request: 20% in the UK, 8.1% in Switzerland, 19% in Germany, 22% in Italy (gold remains VAT-free throughout Europe).

Buyback Terms

Gold Avenue offers 0% commission buyback at spot price for all stored products. The platform does not retain any portion of the selling price. Products redeemed from storage (physically delivered) can no longer be bought back by Gold Avenue once delivered.

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Gold Avenue Product Quality & Certification

LBMA Certification

MKS PAMP GROUP holds membership in the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA). All PAMP products sold through Gold Avenue carry LBMA certification, meeting international precious metals standards.

Purity Certificates

Every bar includes purity certification sealed within packaging. Minted bars feature CertiPAMP packaging serving as official purity certificates. Gold Avenue recommends leaving products in sealed packaging to maintain certificate validity.

Veriscan Technology

Select products include Veriscan technology from MKS PAMP SA, allowing secure product identification and purity verification.

Ownership Documentation

Gold Avenue provides downloadable certificates of ownership for each stored product and printable invoices with every purchase, creating paper proof of ownership.

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Opening a Gold Avenue Account: Payment Methods & Process

Instant Payment Options

• Credit Card: Immediate payment processing with 3% surcharge. This option provides instant order approval, immediate price locking, and protection against price fluctuations during volatile market conditions.
• Instant Bank Payment: Process payments directly through your bank account with immediate confirmation, avoiding credit card surcharges while maintaining instant payment speed.

Standard Payment Options

• Wire Transfer: Orders between CHF/EUR 100 and CHF/EUR 50,000. Funds take 1-3 business days to credit wallet after bank receipt due to compliance and reconciliation requirements. Customers can lock prices and reserve products when ordering via wire transfer, protecting against price changes during the validation period.
• Wise Transfer: Accepted payment method operating as instant settlement to Gold Avenue’s bank account, though wallet crediting may experience delays similar to wire transfers (1-3 business days for compliance processing).

Account Setup

Registration requires creating a Gold Avenue account through the web platform or mobile application. Customers browse the online shop, add precious metals to cart, select storage options (free storage, paid storage, or direct delivery), and complete payment. Products ordered for storage are directly allocated to customer vaults.

Delivery Timeframes

Physical deliveries ship within 4-10 business days across Europe.

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Gold Avenue LBMA Membership & Regulatory Compliance

Gold Avenue operates as part of MKS PAMP GROUP, a member of the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA). The MKS PAMP GROUP is a Swiss family company created over 60 years ago, serving as an innovative global business for precious metals producers, users, and traders worldwide.

The group comprises five major brands: MKS, PAMP, MMTC-PAMP, MTB, and GOLD AVENUE as its official online retailer. All precious metals from the Swiss MKS PAMP refinery carry LBMA approval, meeting international quality and refining standards.

Storage vaults operate outside the banking system in Switzerland, providing asset protection independent of traditional banking infrastructure. Products remain physically segregated and off Gold Avenue’s balance sheet, ensuring customer ownership protection even in scenarios where the company experiences business difficulties.

Gold Avenue is part of Bullion International Group alongside established brands including APMEX (serving 2.1 million customers with $21 billion in sales), MTB (Manfra, Tordella & Brookes, founded 1957), OneGold (digital precious metals with $300 million assets under management), Bullion.com, the Bullion Card, Citadel storage services, and 9Fine Mint (ISO 9001 certified production facility).

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Gold Avenue User Reviews & Customer Experience

Trustpilot Rating: 4.5/5 stars from 4,978 reviews

Positive Feedback:

Customers praise the platform’s ease of use and transparent pricing. One reviewer noted, “A very easy-to-use platform; it gave me a lot of confidence. I deposited funds into my account and within 24 hours they were already credited. I received my invoice and certificate.”

Another customer highlighted the product selection: “Gold Avenue has a great selection of coins and bars from first class mints including Pamp Suisse, Argor-Heraeus, Swissmint, the Italian State Mint and more. Their customer service is also first class, never having to wait long for a response.”

Multiple reviewers appreciate the storage and buyback structure: “Great value – transparency, prompt customer service, competitive premium, storage and buyback option with 0 commission.”

Reported Issues:

Payment processing delays represent the most significant customer concern. One reviewer experienced wire transfer crediting delays: “Wise confirmed my payment reached Gold Avenue’s account within seconds, yet my wallet balance was not credited in time. During this delay, six silver coins I intended to buy sold out.”

Gold Avenue responded explaining that wire transfers require 1-3 business days for wallet crediting due to compliance and reconciliation requirements, even when funds reach the bank account instantly.

Some customers note the bid-ask spread, though Gold Avenue clarifies they pay 100% of the bid price when customers sell, retaining no portion.

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Our Final Verdict & Gold Avenue Recommendation

Gold Avenue delivers a comprehensive precious metals investment solution combining Swiss vault security with digital platform convenience. The free storage up to £8,500, 0% commission buyback, and 100% allocated ownership structure create genuine value for European precious metals investors.

The platform’s connection to MKS PAMP GROUP and LBMA certification provides institutional credibility, while the Swiss freeport VAT deferral offers significant cost savings—particularly for UK investors who avoid the 20% VAT on silver, platinum, and palladium through storage.

The instant payment options (credit card and instant bank payment) provide valuable speed for time-sensitive purchases. The 3% credit card surcharge represents a meaningful cost on larger orders, making instant bank payment the optimal choice for those requiring immediate price locking. Wire transfer processing delays create friction for customers seeking immediate execution without selecting instant payment methods.

✓ Choose Gold Avenue if:

• You want free precious metals storage up to £8,500 in Swiss vaults
• You value 0% commission instant buyback at spot price
• You’re building long-term precious metals holdings without immediate delivery needs
• You want to avoid 20% UK VAT on silver, platinum, or palladium through Swiss storage
• You prefer platforms backed by established precious metals industry groups

✗ Avoid Gold Avenue if:

• You’re unwilling to pay 3% surcharge for instant credit card processing (though instant bank payment avoids this)
• You need immediate wallet funding via wire transfer for time-sensitive purchases
• You require physical vault access or in-person product pickup
• You primarily want physical delivery rather than storage-based investing

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Gold Avenue FAQs: People Also Ask

What is Gold Avenue?

Gold Avenue is a Swiss precious metals retail platform and the official European online retailer for MKS PAMP GROUP. The platform allows investors across Europe to buy, store, and resell physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium through a web-based or mobile application.

Is Gold Avenue part of a larger company?

Yes, Gold Avenue operates as part of Bullion International Group, the retail division of MKS PAMP GROUP. This Swiss family-owned company has over 60 years of experience in the precious metals industry and holds membership in the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA). Bullion International Group also includes APMEX, MTB, OneGold, Bullion.com, the Bullion Card, Citadel, and 9Fine Mint.

How does Gold Avenue’s free storage work?

Gold Avenue provides free fully insured storage for precious metals holdings up to £8,500 in value. Storage occurs in Swiss AAA-rated vaults outside the banking system. Products remain fully allocated (100% customer-owned), physically segregated, and off Gold Avenue’s balance sheet. Free storage includes insurance against theft, loss, and damage with no time limits or monthly fees.

Can I sell my stored precious metals back to Gold Avenue?

Yes, Gold Avenue offers instant buyback 24/7 at spot price (current market price) with 0% commission. The platform does not retain any portion of the selling price. Sale proceeds credit immediately to your Gold Avenue Pay account and can transfer to your bank account free of charge upon request.

What are Gold Avenue’s storage fees for larger holdings?

Holdings between £8,500 and £85,000 cost £8 per month (with 3 months free storage initially). Holdings above £85,000 incur 0.5% annual fees with custom pricing tailored to portfolio size and a dedicated account manager. All tiers include full insurance coverage.

What is VAT-free storage and how does it work?

All products stored in Gold Avenue’s Swiss freeport facility become 100% VAT-free regardless of metal type. Gold is VAT-free throughout Europe whether stored or delivered. Silver, platinum, and palladium would incur VAT upon delivery to your country (20% in the UK, 8.1% in Switzerland, 19% in Germany, 22% in Italy), but storage eliminates these charges entirely. You can sell VAT-free stored products back to Gold Avenue instantly at 0% commission without ever paying VAT. VAT applies only if you request physical delivery.

Can I have my stored precious metals physically delivered?

Yes, customers can request physical delivery of stored products at any time through their personal account. Gold Avenue ships throughout Europe via Swiss Post, UPS, Helveticor, Brinks, Loomis, and other trusted carriers within 4-10 business days. All shipments include full insurance against theft, damage, and loss. Products delivered can no longer be bought back by Gold Avenue.

What payment methods does Gold Avenue accept?

Gold Avenue accepts credit cards (instant processing with 3% surcharge), instant bank payments (immediate confirmation without surcharges), wire transfers (for orders between CHF/EUR 100 and CHF/EUR 50,000, taking 1-3 business days to credit), and Wise transfers. Credit cards and instant bank payments provide immediate order approval and price locking. Wire transfers and Wise payments experience 1-3 day wallet crediting delays due to compliance requirements, though customers can lock prices and reserve products when ordering via wire transfer.

Are Gold Avenue’s precious metals LBMA certified?

Yes, Gold Avenue is part of MKS PAMP GROUP, which holds membership in the London Bullion Market Association (LBMA). All precious metals produced by the Swiss MKS PAMP refinery carry LBMA approval. All PAMP products sold on Gold Avenue are LBMA certified, meeting international precious metals quality and refining standards.

Do I actually own the precious metals I buy on Gold Avenue?

Yes, customers own 100% of products purchased on Gold Avenue. All stored products are physically kept in secure vaults and off Gold Avenue’s balance sheet, making customers the unique legal owners even if Gold Avenue were to cease business operations. Gold Avenue sells only allocated precious metals (not mutualized or paper gold), meaning products belong entirely to the customer and remain redeemable 24/7 through the online wallet.

What is the difference between Gold Avenue’s storage and bank storage?

Gold Avenue’s vaults operate outside the banking system in Switzerland. Products remain physically segregated, fully allocated to customers, and off Gold Avenue’s balance sheet. This structure provides asset protection independent of traditional banking infrastructure and ensures customer ownership continues even if Gold Avenue experiences financial difficulties.

Can I pick up my precious metals in person from the vault?

No, Gold Avenue does not store products in their Geneva offices, and physical vault access in Switzerland is not authorised for security reasons. Customers can consult, sell, or redeem stored products at any time through their online personal account, with delivery available via insured shipping.

What products does Gold Avenue sell?

Gold Avenue sells a wide range of investment precious metal bullion products including minted bars, cast bars, legal tender coins, and collectible coins. Products are available in gold, silver, platinum, and palladium from renowned mints including PAMP Suisse, Argor-Heraeus, Royal Canadian Mint, Royal Mint, Heraeus, Austrian Mint, Perth Mint, Swissmint, and Italian State Mint.

How much VAT will I pay if I request delivery to the UK?

Gold is VAT-free throughout Europe. Silver, platinum, and palladium incur 20% VAT upon delivery to the UK. However, all stored products remain 100% VAT-free during the storage period. For example, £10,000 in stored silver avoids £2,000 in VAT charges unless you request physical delivery.

Why does Gold Avenue charge a 3% credit card fee?

The 3% surcharge covers the cost of instant payment processing and priority order handling. Credit card payments arrive instantly, allowing Gold Avenue to approve orders immediately and protect customers from price fluctuations during volatile market conditions. Instant bank payment provides an alternative immediate payment method without the 3% surcharge.