How Bullion Shipping, Insurance and Signature Delivery Work

When you buy bullion online, the dealer ships it in a plain, padded box, insures it for the trip under a policy it carries for precious metals, and usually requires someone to sign for it at delivery. The dealer carries the risk until the carrier gets a signature or marks the package delivered. After that, it's yours, so the moments around delivery are the ones that matter.

This guide uses JM Bullion's published shipping page and terms as a worked example, because they spell the process out in detail. Other dealers' policies differ, so read the shipping page of the dealer you actually use.

How dealers ship bullion

Dealers use the major carriers. JM Bullion says it ships with USPS, FedEx and UPS, plus armored car for some orders, depending on what's in the box. Many dealers offer free standard shipping above a minimum; JM Bullion and Bullion.com both list $199.

Orders generally ship once payment clears. JM Bullion says most orders ship within one business day of cleared payment, which means check and ACH orders, which take 3 to 5 business days to clear there, will ship later than wire or card orders.

Discreet packaging

Dealers don't advertise what's inside. JM Bullion says its return address and packaging give no indication of the contents, and items are padded to prevent shifting. That's standard across the industry and one of the main reasons bullion shipping is safer than people expect.

You can help by not announcing deliveries either. Don't post unboxing photos with your address visible, and don't leave packages sitting on a porch.

Who insures the package

The carrier's built-in coverage isn't designed for gold and silver. USPS, for example, includes $100 of insurance with Priority Mail and offers extra coverage up to $5,000 through standard shipping insurance, or up to $50,000 through Registered Mail. That's not enough for a lot of bullion orders.

So established dealers buy private insurance. JM Bullion states that every package it ships carries full third-party shipping insurance through a precious-metals policy, and its terms say it buys additional insurance on shipments over $2,000.

When coverage ends

This is the part that matters most. JM Bullion's terms say coverage ends the moment the package is signed for or left at the delivery address. After that point, a lost or stolen package is generally your problem, not the dealer's.

The same terms say delivery to a neighbor, building manager, mailroom, mailbox or PO box isn't covered. If you live somewhere packages get left with a front desk, think about that before you order.

Why signatures are required

A signature gives the dealer, the carrier and the insurer proof of delivery to a person at the right address. Since insurance ends at delivery, it also protects you: a package can't be left on a step and marked delivered.

JM Bullion's terms require a signature on orders over $1,000 in product value, and say you must be present at the shipping address for delivery. Other dealers set their own thresholds.

What signature options exist

Carriers offer several kinds of signature service. USPS lists two relevant ones, plus a Restricted Delivery add-on for each:

The dealer chooses the service, not you, but it helps to know what the carrier will ask for. Have a photo ID ready, and if the package is addressed to you, plan to be the one who signs.

If you miss the delivery

Signature packages usually aren't left behind. The carrier leaves a notice and tries again or holds the package for pickup. Track the shipment, and if you'll be away, arrange pickup at the carrier location instead of letting it bounce back. JM Bullion's terms note that packages returned to the dealer after a failed delivery aren't covered for damage or loss on the trip back.

Address changes and rerouting

Bullion dealers are strict about addresses because rerouting is a common fraud tactic. JM Bullion's terms say it can't change an address once an order ships and isn't responsible for redelivery or rerouting costs. Its PayPal orders only ship to PayPal-verified addresses.

Double-check the address at checkout. If you spot an error before the order ships, contact the dealer right away.

When something goes wrong

Dealers set short reporting windows, and missing them can cost you your claim. JM Bullion's terms, as an example:

• Missing, wrong or damaged items, or a package marked delivered that you didn't get: report within 48 hours of the delivery timestamp.
• Lost in transit with USPS: contact the dealer if tracking hasn't updated for five or more calendar days, within five calendar days of the last update.
• Lost in transit with UPS or FedEx: the window is three calendar days from the last tracking update.

The dealer files the insurance claim, but you may be asked to sign an affidavit or file a police report. JM Bullion says a reship or refund can take up to 30 days.

Shipping metal back to sell

When you sell to a dealer by mail, the risk can run the other way. JM Bullion's terms say customers who don't use its prepaid, insured labels are solely responsible for loss or damage until the company confirms receipt in writing. Its terms also say incoming packages are weighed and opened under video recording.

If you're selling, ask the dealer for its insured shipping label rather than mailing metal on your own. Our guide to selling gold covers the rest of the process.

Common delivery mistakes

Most bullion delivery problems are avoidable. These are the ones that trip people up.

Ordering to an address where you can't sign

If you're at work all day and the package needs a signature, it will go back to the carrier facility and sit there, or eventually return to the dealer. Use an address where someone named on the order will be home, or plan to pick it up.

Letting a building or neighbor accept it

It's convenient, but under terms like JM Bullion's, delivery to a building manager, mailroom or neighbor isn't covered. Once someone else signs, the insurance has ended and the package isn't in your hands yet.

Waiting to open the box

A 48-hour reporting window goes fast. If you leave a box unopened over a weekend trip, you could miss the window to report a short or wrong shipment.

Assuming free shipping is the cheapest option

Free shipping above a minimum is helpful, but it doesn't change the product premium or the payment-method price. Compare the full delivered total, not just the shipping line. Our dealer markups guide shows where the rest of the cost hides.

Forgetting about the trip home

If you buy at a coin show or a shop and carry metal yourself, none of the dealer's shipping insurance applies. Treat it like carrying cash: go straight home and put it away.

Your delivery checklist

1. Read the dealer's shipping terms first. Note the signature threshold, when insurance ends, and the reporting windows.
2. Use an address where you can sign. Avoid mailrooms or front desks if the dealer's insurance won't cover delivery there.
3. Watch tracking. Sign up for alerts and plan to be home on the delivery day, or arrange carrier pickup.
4. Have photo ID ready. Signature services generally require it.
5. Open and check right away. Record the unboxing, compare contents to the invoice, and report anything off within the dealer's window.
6. Move it to storage the same day. Once it's delivered, protection is up to you. See our vault vs home safe comparison.