How to sell gold online and ship it safely by mail.

Choose the buyer before you pack anything

• Published rates. A buyer who posts what they pay, as a percentage of a public gold price, can be compared before you ever get in touch.
• A real business. Look for a legal company name and a way to reach a person.
• Reviews you can check yourself, on a site the buyer doesn't control.
• Payment only to you. A legitimate buyer pays into an account in the seller's own name.

Get the rate in writing

Before you ship, you should have a written estimate that says what percentage you'll be paid, of which price, and when that price is taken. Ask about minimums, fees, and how long payment takes. If anything that changes your payout isn't written down, ask for it.

Expect to show ID

Precious metals dealers are required by federal law to know who they buy from. A buyer that never asks who you are is a warning sign, not a convenience.

Photograph and weigh everything

Before packing, photograph each piece and write down approximate weights. Keep a list of what's in the box, and put a copy inside it.

Pack it plainly

• Put small items in sealed bags, then inside a small sturdy box, so nothing rattles.
• Use a plain outer box with no labels or markings that hint at what's inside.
• Address it exactly as the buyer instructs.

Ship with tracking and insurance

USPS Registered Mail is the most secure way to send precious metals: packages are locked up and signed for at every step, and insurance up to $50,000 is included in the postage, based on the value you declare at the counter. Whatever carrier you use, check its rules first, since many limit coverage for jewelry and precious metals.

Keep your receipts

Keep the postage receipt and tracking number until you've been paid, and compare the buyer's settlement statement against your own list and weights.

How it works with us

Our rates are on the bids page, your estimate comes in writing, and we pay within 7–10 business days of delivery. See how selling online works and how to ship to us.

Selling from: Alabama · Colorado · Delaware · Illinois · Iowa · Louisiana · Massachusetts · Mississippi · Nebraska · New Hampshire · New York · North Carolina · Oregon · South Carolina · Vermont · Virginia · Wisconsin · Wyoming

The highest payouts for your gold, at a published percentage of the live Kitco bid.