How to buy gold online?
19/08/2025Daniel Fisher
Buying gold online has never been easier. Whether you’re a first-time investor or an experienced collector, the internet offers a safe and convenient way to purchase gold coins and bars from the comfort of your own home.
With competitive prices, a wide selection, and secure delivery, it’s no wonder more people in the UK are turning to online gold dealers.
That said, trust and security are key. In this guide, we’ll take you step by step through the process of buying gold online in the UK – from choosing a dealer to making your payment – with practical tips to help you get the best value.
Why Buy Gold Online?
Greater Choice
Unlike high-street shops, online gold dealers stock a wide range of products. You’ll find everything from 1g bars to large investment-grade bars, popular coins like Sovereigns and Britannias, and possibly more collectible gold coins.
Better Prices
Because online dealers don’t carry the same overheads as retail shops, they can often offer more competitive premiums.
Safety and Discretion
Buying online removes the risks of walking out of a physical shop carrying valuables. With insured, discreet delivery, your gold arrives securely at your door or is stored safely in a vault.
Step 1 – Choose a Trusted UK Gold Dealer
The most important part of buying gold online is selecting the right dealer. A reputable dealer ensures your gold is genuine, your payment is secure, and your delivery is safe.
Their Area of Expertise Should Align with Your Needs
A gold broker should be able to recommend gold coins or bars based on your objectives and circumstances. Certain dealers may specialise in one area or another, so ensure you select the dealer that closely matches your needs. It’s no good getting advice from a commemorative coin dealer, if you’re after gold bullion for investment purposes.
Check Accreditations
Look for dealers registered with the British Numismatic Trade Association (BNTA) or other recognised industry bodies.
Read Independent Reviews
Websites like Trustpilot and Google Reviews are a good place to gauge customer satisfaction and reliability.
Verify Transparency
A good dealer will:
- Display live prices for each item and quantity discounts
- Clearly explain buy-back policies
- Provide full contact details
- Offer secure payment options
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Step 2 – Decide What Gold to Buy
Gold comes in many forms, but not all are equal for UK investors. It’s very easy to find online content recommending all sorts of gold coins or bars as the best to buy. That doesn’t necessarily mean that advice is accurate or relevant to your location and individual objectives.
Similarly, some unscrupulous dealers may suggest gold items which simply provide them with the best profit margin. These dealers commonly advocate old collectible gold coins, fractional coins, or graded gold coins. For most investors, all of these choices would seriously damage your investment returns due to their inflated premiums
Gold Coins vs Gold Bars
- Coins (e.g. Sovereigns, Britannias) are flexible for resale and may be Capital Gains Tax (CGT) free if they are UK legal tender.
- Bars may be suitable for larger investments due to slightly lower premiums per gram for substantial 1 Kilo bars.
Bullion vs Collectables
- Bullion coins/bars: Best for investment, closely track the gold price.
- Rare/collectable coins: Riskier for beginners, harder to sell, and higher mark-ups.
Small vs Large Denominations
- Smaller pieces give flexibility when selling part of your holding, but may come with higher premiums
- Larger bars are more cost-efficient per gram.
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Step 3 – Get Your Payment Method Ready
Because of gold’s high value, some online purchases may be flagged or even blocked by your bank or card issuer. While this is designed to protect you from fraud, in practice it can make buying gold online more difficult – often to protect the bank rather than the customer.
Like any industry, the gold sector has both reputable dealers and bad actors, including scammers and phishing attempts. That’s why choosing a trusted dealer (Step One) is so important to ensure your transaction is genuine and secure.
Since gold prices and stock levels change quickly, it’s a good idea to contact your bank in advance to let them know you plan to make a high-value purchase. Once they understand it’s a legitimate, well-researched decision, they can approve your chosen payment method and help ensure your order goes through smoothly without delays.
Card Payments
- Limits vary from dealer to dealer. At PhysicalGold.com we accept credit cards up to £10k and have a limit of £30k for debit card orders.
- Larger orders can be achieved with multiple card purchases
- Convenient and quick, often with instant confirmation.
- Offers Chargeback protection
Bank Transfers
- Best for larger purchases.
- At PhysicalGold.com we have no upper limit for online orders placed for bank transfer payment.
Why Not PayPal or Amex?
Most gold dealers don’t accept PayPal or American Express due to high transaction fees. If an online portal does accept these payment methods, it may suggest that their prices aren’t that competitive.
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Step 4 – Have ID Documents Handy
Like other financial services, gold dealers must follow Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti Money laundering (AML) regulations.
KYC, is a standard process used by financial institutions and gold dealers to verify the identity of their clients. It involves checking documents such as a passport, driving licence, or proof of address to confirm who you are.
In the UK, KYC is a legal requirement designed to prevent money laundering, fraud, and other financial crimes. While it may feel like extra paperwork, it’s simply there to keep transactions secure and legitimate. Details may be requested if you’re a first-time buyer, on an annual basis, if a transaction amount exceeds £10,000, or at the dealer’s discretion for any reason.
Different dealers handle ID verification in different ways. Some may ask you to send copies of your documents by email, but at PhysicalGold.com we use a secure verification service called Credas. This allows you to complete the process in just a few minutes through a phone or online app, removing the need to email sensitive documents and keeping your personal information safe.
Ensuring that you have the following documents ready will speed up your online transaction if you’re asked for ID, preventing your purchase being rejected on these grounds.
Commonly Requested ID
- Photo ID such as passport or driving licence
- Proof of address (utility bill, bank statement) dated in the past 3 months
Step 5 – Transact Safely Online
Once you’ve completed the previous 4 steps, it’s the exciting part – actually placing your online order. Here are 6 simple steps to buying gold online.
Here’s how a typical online gold purchase works:
- Register or log in – Free and quick. Many dealers allow browsing without purchase.
- Browse products – Choose from categories such as gold bars, Sovereigns, or Britannias.
- Add to basket – Select your chosen items and confirm quantity.
- Checkout securely – Pay via debit card, credit card, or bank transfer. Most dealers use 3D Secure for added protection.
- Choose delivery or storage – Insured home delivery or professional vault storage.
Receive confirmation – You’ll get proof of ownership and a dispatch/tracking update.
8 Tips for Buying Gold Online in the UK
If you’re looking to make the most of your gold purchases, a little preparation goes a long way. Here are eight practical tips to help you buy gold online in the UK with confidence and value:
- Watch live prices – Gold prices move daily, sometimes even hourly. Try to buy on dips and look for patterns at certain times of day or week when prices tend to ease.
- Take advantage of 24/7 ordering – You can place orders any time, even when markets are closed. If major news breaks in the evening or at weekends, you can lock in your price before markets react.
- Build a relationship with your dealer – Online doesn’t have to mean impersonal. A trusted dealer can offer guidance, highlight great-value products, and sometimes give access to stock not yet on the website.
- Choose CGT-free coins – Sovereigns and Britannias are UK legal tender and exempt from Capital Gains Tax. They’re often the most efficient choice for British investors.
- Compare dealer premiums – Don’t just focus on the gold spot price. Check the total cost per gram or coin, as mark-ups vary significantly between dealers.
- Decide on your investment strategy – Will you buy little and often to spread your risk, or purchase larger amounts less frequently to benefit from bulk discounts?
- Plan your storage early – Before placing an order, decide whether to keep your gold in a home safe, a bank deposit box, or a secure vault offered by your dealer.
- Start small – If you’re new, begin with a modest order to test the dealer’s service and build confidence before committing larger sums.
Browse and Buy Gold Coins and Bars Online
FAQs – Buying Gold Online in the UK
Is it safe to buy gold online in the UK?
Yes, buying gold online is safe if you use a trusted, accredited dealer. Look for membership with the British Numismatic Trade Association (BNTA), secure payment options such as 3D Secure, and fully insured delivery. These checks ensure your purchase is genuine, protected, and risk-free.
Do I pay VAT when buying gold in the UK?
No, you don’t pay VAT on investment-grade gold. This includes gold bars of at least 99.5% purity and certain coins such as Sovereigns and Britannias. Since they qualify as legal tender, these products are VAT-exempt in the UK, making them the most tax-efficient choice for investors.
What happens if my gold is lost in delivery?
Reputable dealers use insured, tracked delivery services for all orders. If your gold is lost, delayed, or damaged in transit, the dealer’s insurance covers the full replacement or refund of your purchase. This ensures your investment remains protected until it reaches you securely.
Can I sell my gold back to the same dealer?
Yes, most established dealers offer a buy-back service, often at competitive rates close to the live gold price. Selling back to the same dealer is convenient, secure, and usually faster than finding a private buyer, giving you added liquidity when you need to release funds.
Is buying gold online cheaper than in-store?
Often yes. Online gold dealers usually have lower overheads than high-street shops, meaning they can offer tighter premiums over the spot price. Combined with wider product availability and 24/7 ordering, buying online is typically more cost-effective and convenient for UK investors.
Which gold coins are CGT-free in the UK?
UK legal tender coins such as Gold Sovereigns, Britannias, and Tudor Beasts are exempt from Capital Gains Tax (CGT). This means any profit you make when selling them is tax-free. For British investors, these coins are often the most efficient way to build a gold portfolio without future tax liabilities.
What’s the best way to store gold after buying online?
The safest way to store gold is in a secure, insured specialist vault. Many investors use dealer-arranged storage, which provides professional security and insurance. Alternatively, you can use a home safe or bank deposit box, but it’s essential to plan storage before buying to ensure your gold is protected.
Conclusion
Buying gold online in the UK is simple, safe, and cost-effective when you know what to look for. By choosing a trusted dealer, deciding on the right type of gold, and preparing your payment and ID in advance, you can invest with confidence.
At Physical Gold, we make the process straightforward: from free account registration to secure delivery or storage, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
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