Lately my sister keeps asking, “Sis, the dollar isn’t reliable—how can I buy gold bars to preserve my wealth?” Comparing seven markets (Shanghai, New York, London, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Berlin, Paris), the spot gold prices rank from cheapest to most expensive as follows:
1. London ≈ US $102.88/g (cheapest)
2. Berlin ≈ US $103.79/g
3. Tokyo ≈ US $106.18/g
4. Hong Kong ≈ US $107.03/g
5. Paris ≈ US $107.16/g
6. New York ≈ US $107.91/g
7. Shanghai ≈ US $108.23/g
Once you know the prices, here’s how to purchase in each location:
Shanghai
Buy through major banks (Bank of China, ICBC) via their precious‑metals desks or reputable gold merchants.
• Key tip: Monitor T+D vs. Au 99.99 gold‑bar spreads and choose the Au 99.99 standard bars.
New York
Purchase physical bars from vaults (e.g. JMBullion), dealers certified by the National Coin and Bullion Association, or brokers like APMEX.
• Key tip: Use LBMA Good Delivery‑grade bars to minimize markups on resale.
London
Acquire through LBMA‑member banks or local refiners/dealers (PAMP, Valcambi).
• Key tip: Investment‑grade bars are VAT‑exempt (subject to criteria), and premiums are extremely low.
Tokyo
Buy via TOCOM‑member traders or major banks (Ginko, Mitsubishi UFJ Trust).
• Key tip: Opt for bars ≥ 99.5% purity and leverage a stable JPY/USD exchange rate.
Hong Kong
Purchase at the Chinese Gold & Silver Exchange Society (CGSE) or major retailers (Chow Tai Fook, Luk Fook).
• Key tip: No import duty or carry limits, and a highly liquid market.
Berlin
Order online or visit Degussa Goldhandel GmbH’s Berlin branch.
• Key tip:
Choose ≥ 99.5% purity investment bars (VAT‑exempt under Germany’s UStG § 25c);
Prefer LBMA Good Delivery‑sized bars to reduce premiums/spreads;
Store in a tax‑free warehouse (Zollfreilager) or bank vault to lower holding costs.
Paris
“Le Comptoir National de l’Or” has 70+ outlets and an online store offering 1 g–1 kg bars;
Abacor’s online platform supports web orders, phone commission, and in‑store pickup.
• Key tip:
Under EU Directive 2006/112/EC, investment bars (≥ 995‰ purity) are VAT‑exempt within the EU;
Mix weights (e.g. 1 g+5 g+10 g) to smooth cost and maintain liquidity;
Use bank safety deposit boxes or specialized vault services (Comptoir) for secure, liquid storage.
Summary
• Best overall: London, for VAT exemption and minimal premiums.
• Second best: Berlin, offering Euro‑zone convenience with near‑London pricing.
• Less cost‑effective: New York and Shanghai, due to higher premiums and fees.
Always verify current premiums, taxes, and purchase channels, and balance travel or customs considerations to ensure optimal preservation of value.
