Inheritance & gifting
Passing on precious metals
Metal is deliberately tangible and anonymous, which makes it awkward to inherit. No institution calls your heirs, and no statement reaches the notary automatically.
Findability and proof
Keep an inventory: count, weight, type, year and storage location, plus purchase invoices as proof of origin.
Bank vaults are sealed until probate documents arrive and are often inventoried with a notary present.
With dealer storage, check that it is allocated storage rather than a claim on the company.
Valuation at date of death
Bars use spot times weight; bullion coins carry a premium; collector coins need appraisal.
Record weight in grams as well as troy ounces (31.1 g) to prevent errors.
Appraise numismatic pieces rather than declaring them as raw metal.
Dividing and selling
Smaller units make estates far easier to divide — worth considering when buying.
Ask several dealers for bids; spreads differ by percentage points.
Declaration is mandatory in both Belgium and the Netherlands, even without a counterparty.
Frequently asked questions
Is physical gold tax-free to inherit?
No, it is part of the estate like anything else.
What if the vault is found years later?
File a supplementary declaration as soon as it is known.
Small or large units?
Smaller units cost slightly more but divide much better.
Read next
Inheriting ETFs
How a brokerage account passes to heirs: blocking, valuation at date of death, transfer in kind and pitfalls with foreign brokers.
Passing on crypto
Without a plan, crypto disappears with the keys. How to document access, proof and valuation without exposing your seed today.
Gifting during your lifetime
Gifting lowers later inheritance tax, but valuation, proof and timing matter for investments. How to do it verifiably.