Founder & Chief Executive Officer
(PRECIOUS METALS, BULLION & INTERNATIONAL VAULTING)
Precious Metals
Our team arranges verified physical bullion holdings, Swiss gold among them, together with professional third-party vaulting and the offshore companies, trusts and foundations that hold precious metals. Every engagement is built around legal title, custody, liquidity, reporting and lasting control.
(OVERVIEW)
Physical bullion held with sharper ownership, custody and reporting
Any bullion arrangement should start from the legal owner rather than the vault. We first determine whether the goal involves Swiss gold or a different approved precious metal, then examine custody, liquidity, the ownership vehicle and the countries linked to the client before arranging a provider relationship, producing a documented holding built around control, verification and lawful disclosure.
(OUR PROCESS)
01
Consultation
A private conversation covering the planned allocation, the legal owner, any existing structures, custody preferences, liquidity requirements and the reporting position.
02
Ownership and custodian selection
We weigh direct ownership against offshore company, trust and foundation structures, then arrange qualifying bullion dealers, vaults and custody terms.
03
Onboarding and documentation
Where needed, we handle entity formation, beneficial-owner checks, source-of-funds records and the custodian application.
04
Purchase and ongoing custody
Once approved, the owner funds the account, buys or transfers approved metal and receives whatever statements, bar details and custody records are available.
A structured path from offshore ownership through to professional bullion custody
This service links the legal owner, the offshore structure where relevant, and the custodian that holds the physical bullion. We arrange provider access and onboarding while making allocation, storage, bar records, insurance and exit procedures clear from the start.
Allocated bullion
Specific bars or recognised coins can be assigned to the legal owner instead of being represented only by a pooled or unsecured claim.
Swiss gold vaulting
Where suitable, allocated gold bullion may be held through approved Swiss custody relationships with documented ownership and storage terms.
Gold, silver and more
Gold and silver bullion are the principal focus, with selected platinum and palladium products considered where provider terms permit.
Bar records and verification
Available documentation may include trade confirmations, serial-numbered bar lists, refinery details, holding statements and audit information.
Insurance and custody
Vaulting arrangements are reviewed for insurance scope, custodian duties, access controls and the legal treatment of client bullion.
Offshore ownership structures
An offshore company may hold the bullion account directly or sit beneath a trust or foundation for governance and succession planning.
(AT A GLANCE)
A quick overview of bullion and precious-metals holding options
An offshore company is a distinct legal entity established outside where its owners mainly live or do business. It can sign contracts, own assets, hold investments and apply for banking or brokerage accounts. Where a trust is administered differently, this vehicle runs through directors or managers and is owned via shares or membership interests. A trust, foundation or bank account may sit within the broader structure, yet each fills a separate legal and practical function.
| Holding option | Typical role | Ownership & storage | Key consideration | Discuss option |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allocated Swiss goldBars or recognised bullion coins | Long-horizon bullion ownership, reserve holdings and diversification inside a documented Swiss or international custody relationship. | Particular bullion assigned to the individual or approved legal vehicle and kept with a professional custodian. | Premiums, bar size, dealing spread and delivery terms. | Discuss |
| Allocated silver bullionBars and coins | A complementary metal allocation carrying different industrial demand, price behaviour and denomination choices. | Physical holdings recorded against the owner or entity, with segregation offered through selected providers. | Storage volume, dealing liquidity and any applicable indirect taxes. | Discuss |
| Platinum & palladiumSpecialist physical allocation | Focused exposure to scarcer metals that carry both investment and industrial-market traits. | Allocated bars or coins where the chosen dealer and custodian support them. | Greater volatility, thinner markets and limited product availability. | Discuss |
| Mixed metals holdingOne custody relationship | Diversification across several physical metals without setting up a separate ownership arrangement for each one. | Several metal types recorded within a single approved custody account or legal vehicle. | Allocation policy, rebalancing and transaction costs. | Discuss |
| Existing metal transferCustody consolidation | Relocating approved existing holdings into a professional vault or a freshly created ownership structure. | Acceptance depends on provenance, product specifications, transport arrangements and any verification that may be required. | Assay, logistics, insurance and chain-of-custody records. | Discuss |
| Structure + vaultingCoordinated ownership and custody | Setting up or using a company beneath a trust or foundation to hold documented physical precious metals. | Entity formation, custodian onboarding and metals acquisition run as connected workstreams. | Legal, tax, reporting and governance advice in every relevant country. | Book a call |
Provider eligibility, minimum holdings, dealing terms and custody costs all differ. Structure and onboarding fees are set out in writing before any work starts.
(OFFSHORE BULLION STRUCTURE)
Offshore Company, Swiss Gold & Bullion Vaulting
A coordinated engagement for clients wanting an offshore company or broader structure to hold allocated bullion, Swiss gold included where suitable. We put the ownership vehicle, provider onboarding and supporting records in place, while each purchase stays subject to client approval and the custodian’s terms.
- Ownership and custody design settled before any formation starts
- Company formation and registered-agent onboarding wherever needed
- Custodian application arranged alongside beneficial-owner and source-of-funds documents
- Purchase, transfer, statements and continuing administration set out ahead of time
(COMMON USES)
Why clients choose to hold bullion through an international structure
An offshore company can serve international trading, consulting, investment holding, property ownership, intellectual property, group structuring and banking. Its activity has to be lawful, commercially defensible and in line with licensing, tax, reporting and economic-substance obligations.
Tangible wealth reserve
Physical metal can serve as one component of a broader reserve strategy that also includes cash, securities, property and operating assets.
Currency diversification
A holding stored internationally can lessen reliance on a single banking system or a domestic currency environment.
Portfolio balance
Gold and other metals can move differently from equities, bonds and cash, though their values may still rise or fall significantly.
Succession planning
Documented ownership via a company, trust or foundation can aid continuity and the orderly transfer of control.
Corporate reserves
Subject to advice and governance, an eligible company may hold physical metals as part of its treasury or long-term asset allocation.
Geographic diversification
Professional custody outside the owner's home country can spread where assets are physically held and administered.
(OWNERSHIP & STORAGE)
How legal ownership and physical custody work together
The finder launches on the precious-metals service, spanning 21 jurisdictions and 22 formation, ownership, filing, tax and administration attributes. Pick up to four jurisdictions to compare side by side, or move to the trust chart where that applies.
Define who will own the bullion
Swiss gold or other bullion may be owned personally, by an offshore company, or through a company held beneath a trust or foundation. The choice should follow legal and tax advice.
Select the vault and bullion terms
We compare provider eligibility, allocation, segregation, insurance, audit information, dealing access and delivery procedures.
Complete due diligence
The custodian reviews identity, address, source of funds, beneficial ownership and the constitutional documents of any legal vehicle.
Acquire and document the holding
Once approved, funds are transferred, bullion is purchased and the owner receives the available confirmations, statements and bar details.
Individual or family holding
The custodian records the individual as the account holder and legal owner. This is usually the simplest arrangement but does not create a separate ownership vehicle.
Suitable where structural separation is not required and personal reporting is straightforward.
Corporate precious-bullion account
An existing or newly formed company may purchase and hold approved metals. The company’s directors or managers operate the relationship under its governance documents.
The company must be maintained properly and its ownership, transactions and accounts disclosed where required.
Trust or foundation above the company
A trust or foundation may own the company that holds the custody account, creating separate layers for governance, succession and day-to-day administration.
Effectiveness depends on timing, applicable law, professional administration and advice in every relevant country.
Switzerland is one established vaulting centre and may be considered where the provider, account size and ownership structure fit. Other approved custody locations may also be appropriate. Bullion prices can fall and this service does not constitute investment, legal or tax advice.
(EXPERTISE)
Meet the team that coordinates bullion ownership and custody
John Evans
Forbes Business Council Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
More than two decades of experience across offshore banking, asset protection, international companies and trusts.
Melanie Tetuaiteroi
Sales Assistant
Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Supports client onboarding, communications, documentation and operational coordination, backed by fiduciary administration experience.
(INSIGHTS)
Insights on bullion, Swiss gold and offshore ownership
Recent Articles
Explore our latest insights, practical guides and updates on international wealth structuring.
Offshore Asset Protection5 min read
When a Cook Islands Trust Will Not Protect Your Assets
Offshore Companies5 min read
Offshore Company Annual Maintenance Requirements
International Banking & Investment4 min read
Bank vs EMI for an Offshore Company
Asset Protection4 min read
When Is It Too Late for Asset Protection?
Offshore Companies4 min read
Best Offshore Company for Consultants and Agencies
Offshore Foundations4 min read
Offshore Foundation vs Offshore Trust
Asset Protection4 min read
LLC vs Trust for Asset Protection
Offshore Asset Protection5 min read
What Assets Can a Cook Islands Trust Own?
(ABOUT OFFSHORE BULLION OWNERSHIP)
How can offshore structures hold Swiss gold and other bullion?
Offshore precious-metals services arrange the legal ownership, purchase or transfer and professional custody of physical bullion beyond the owner’s principal country of residence. Swiss gold may be part of the mix, but the central issue is who legally owns the bars or coins. The account can be held personally, through an offshore company, or by a company held beneath a trust or foundation. The aim is documented ownership and orderly governance—not anonymity or tax avoidance.
Allocated bullion and Swiss vaulting
Allocated bullion is meant to stand for physical bars or coins assigned to the owner rather than an unsecured claim on a bank, dealer or platform. Swiss gold kept in an approved vault can be identified by serial numbers, weights, refinery details and account records. Individually segregated storage adds a further physical distinction from the holdings of other clients. Even so, insurance limits, audit procedures, legal title, provider solvency, sale terms and delivery arrangements all still need careful review. Switzerland ranks among the leading custody centres, though other approved locations may better fit a client’s structure and objectives.
Offshore ownership structures, tax and reporting
An offshore company can serve as the separate legal owner of a bullion account and may sit beneath a trust or foundation where succession and governance call for extra layers. Such a structure can hold Swiss gold or other approved metals, yet it does not lift the responsibilities of directors, managers, trustees, founders or beneficial owners. It has to serve a genuine lawful purpose and keep proper records. How gains or distributions are realised, along with residence, entity classification and custody arrangements, drives the tax treatment and disclosure obligations, which vary accordingly.
(SWISS GOLD & BULLION GUIDE)
Understanding Swiss Gold, Bullion & Offshore Ownership
(SWISS GOLD & BULLION QUESTIONS)
Frequently asked questions about Swiss gold and offshore bullion
Fully allocated Swiss gold generally means the physical bullion is assigned to the account holder or legal vehicle rather than represented merely by a debt an institution owes. The provider's terms should make clear whether exact bars or coins are identified, how title is recorded and which custody records are provided.
Segregated storage means the client's holding is physically set apart or placed in a dedicated location instead of mixed with equivalent metal belonging to other clients. Since exact practices vary, the custody agreement, bar list, access rules and delivery procedures should all be reviewed ahead of onboarding.
Yes. An eligible offshore company can buy and hold Swiss gold, silver or other approved bullion where its constitutional documents, governing law and custodian allow it. The company becomes the account holder and must clear beneficial-owner, source-of-funds and governance checks. Its directors or managers have to keep proper records and follow the applicable tax and reporting rules.
A trust or foundation can own the shares or membership interests of a company that holds the custody account. This may aid succession, governance and continuity, but it also brings added administration, cost and reporting. Such a structure should be set up for a lawful purpose and reviewed by advisers in the client's home country.
The phrase Swiss gold usually refers to gold refined, traded or held through a Swiss relationship, though its exact meaning depends on the product and provider. Switzerland is a well-established vaulting location, yet the right custody centre depends on access, insurance, costs, product availability, legal title, delivery requirements and the owner's reporting position.
Gold and silver bullion are the most widely available. Selected providers may also handle platinum and palladium in approved bar or coin formats. Availability, minimum sizes, premiums, custody fees and resale liquidity differ from one metal and product to the next.
Sometimes. A Swiss or international custodian may call for evidence of provenance, approved product specifications, secure transport and independent verification or assay. Existing bars that fall short of the provider's standards may have to be sold and replaced rather than transferred as they are.
No. Swiss gold custodians, other vault providers and formation agents identify beneficial owners and examine source of funds. The individual, offshore company, trust or foundation may face tax, accounting, foreign-asset and beneficial-ownership reporting obligations. Offshore ownership should serve lawful custody, governance and diversification—not concealment.
(CONTACT US)
Speak to a specialist. Let’s build your structure.
Book a confidential, no-obligation consultation with a senior member of our team to discuss your objectives and the services we have available.
