You’ll need a place to store your precious metals if you have a gold IRA. The IRS won’t let you keep your gold at home, but a gold IRA depository meets government requirements. The best depositories use state-of-the-art technology to keep your investment safe and provide peace of mind.
While some gold IRA companies work only with specific depositories, others leave that storage decision to customers. Keep reading to learn how to select the best gold IRA depositor, and see our top picks below.
| Depository | U.S. storage locations | In business since |
| Delaware Depository | Wilmington, DE & Boulder City, NV | 1999 |
| CNT Depository | Bridgewater, MA | 1972 |
| International Depository Services (IDS) Group | New Castle, DE & Dallas, TX | 1976 |
| A-Mark Precious Metals | Las Vegas, NV | 1965 |
| Brink’s Global Services | Los Angeles, CA, New York City, NY, & Salt Lake City, UT | 1859 |
We chose these five depositories because they are well-established, have solid reputations within the industry, and work with many of the top gold IRA companies. However, the details and fees of each vary.
Delaware Depository is one of the most common storage companies used by gold IRA companies, and for good reason. The company’s vaults are physically fortified, subject to round-the-clock security monitoring, and covered by $1 billion in insurance coverage.
Delaware Depository offers segregated and nonsegregated storage. In addition to its U.S. vaults, the company has storage facilities in Zurich, Switzerland, and Toronto, Canada. Delaware Depository has an online portal where personal storage customers can monitor their account holdings and review reports.
As of August 2024, Delaware Depository earns an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau and mostly five-star reviews online. One customer noted they took a tour and were impressed by the security protocols in place.
CNT Depository is a family-owned business that maintains a free-standing 63,000-square-foot facility insured by Lloyd’s of London. The company has deployed physical and electronic security measures to ensure the safety of clients’ precious metals. In addition to maintaining a depository, CNT is a precious metals distributor and offers minting services.
CNT only offers allocated, segregated storage to ensure you get the exact bars and coins you deposited when you withdraw.
In August 2024, CNT has no customer reviews online and is not rated by the Better Business Bureau. However, Bullion.Directory, a precious metals dealer directory, describes the company as a “highly respected bullion depository.”
The International Depository Services Group (IDS) maintains two U.S. locations for investor account storage and a third vault in Canada. It’s another depository often recommended by gold IRA companies and custodians. IDS offers round-the-clock security in state-of-the-art facilities insured by Lloyd’s of London.
IDS Group offers a standard nonsegregated storage option but charges no additional fee for personal investors to use segregated storage. The depository provides clients with online accounts and monthly inventory reports and can process withdrawal and transfer requests within 48 hours.
You won’t find the International Depository Services Group listed at the Better Business Bureau, but online reviews note the friendly staff and solid customer service. Some reviewers note the Delaware location is hard to find.
A-Mark Precious Metals is the parent company of numerous precious metals-related businesses, including A-M Global Logistics (AMGL), JM Bullion, and Transcontinental Depository Services. It is a U.S. Mint-authorized dealer that mints coins and bars, among other services. Although it has many locations, its gold IRA depository is located in Las Vegas, where AMGL partners with Loomis International.
Through AMGL, A-Mark Precious Metals offers allocated and unallocated storage for gold IRAs.
Since A-Mark Precious Metals primarily offers wholesale services to other companies, you won’t find many consumer reviews online for AMGL. Bullion.Directory notes the company is “used by most gold IRA specialists” and “is home to billions in dollars of tax-advantaged precious metals investments.”
You may be familiar with Brink’s for its armored vehicles and security services, but the company also offers precious metals storage. Many gold IRA companies recommend it. The vaults used for private client storage at Brink’s are protected by trained guards and are remotely monitored 24/7 to ensure the highest level of security.
Brink’s Global Service offers commingled and segregated storage for gold IRAs. It also offers inventory management and data solutions to help customers manage their accounts.
Given the number of security and logistics services Brink’s offers, it’s difficult to find customer reviews specific to its gold IRA depository services. However, its long history of excellence and reliable service speaks for itself.
All depositories provide the same basic service: a secure place to store gold and precious metals. Most depositories offer one or both of the following storage options.
Our expert on segregated vs. nonsegregated gold IRAs
A segregated gold IRA means your investment is in its own secure place, inherently lowering the chance of an accounting or handling error with commingled or nonsegregated gold IRAs. The drawback is paying a higher fee for the segregated gold IRA, which reduces your rate of return. However, I would argue that the peace of mind is worth the drawback of the increased fee. It’s up to you, though, and depends on your preference and risk tolerance.
A depository is required if you have a gold IRA. According to IRS rules, precious metals must go from a dealer to a depository. If you take physical possession of the gold at any time, the government will deem the gold a distribution, and its value becomes taxable and may also be subject to a penalty.
Annual storage fees are the main cost associated with a gold IRA depository. These are usually accessed as a percentage of your account value, but minimum fees may range from $50 to $250 per year, depending on the company you use.
Beyond the annual fee, inquire about the following fees:
Not every depository charges all these fees, so it’s wise to ask for a fee schedule and compare your total costs before selecting a depository.
Consider the following factors to choose the best gold IRA depository.
Our expert discusses how depository location can affect the safety and convenience of access to your gold IRA
Regarding safety, geographical locations with higher crimes, such as robbery, could be a factor to consider when shopping for a gold IRA depository. After all, gold is a physical asset that can be stolen. But since it’s a physical asset, the IRS requires that depositories be insured. Regarding convenience, if you want to access your gold frequently, you will want to discuss and research the access and visitation rights of the gold depository. If accessing your gold frequently is unimportant or you find that a gold depository in another state meets the requirements you’re looking for at the best rate, that may trump having your IRA gold depository nearby.
Some gold IRA companies work with specific depositories. In that case, you may not be able to choose your depository if you plan to open an IRA with a specific company.
Other gold dealers may ship their products to any depository. However, those specializing in gold IRAs typically have staff members who can make recommendations and walk you through the process of opening a storage account.
Ready to get started? Check out the best gold IRA companies and request additional information today.
Gold IRAs require that your precious metals be stored in an IRS-approved depository. The IRS mandates that these depositories meet specific security and auditing requirements to ensure your investments’ safety.
Your IRA custodian will typically have relationships with approved depositories and can help facilitate the storage process, ensuring your gold is securely stored in compliance with IRS regulations.
Gold IRA custodian fees can vary depending on the custodian and the specific services provided. Account setup fees can range from $50 to $100, and annual maintenance fees can be between $75 and $300 per year, often influenced by the custodian and the account’s value. Storage fees, which depend on the amount of gold being stored, may range from $100 to $300 annually. Some custodians may charge transaction fees for buying or selling gold within the IRA, usually around $40 per transaction.
It’s essential to obtain a clear breakdown of all fees from potential custodians to compare costs and ensure you understand the total expense of maintaining a gold IRA.
| Depository | U.S. storage locations | In business since |
| Delaware Depository | Wilmington, DE & Boulder City, NV | 1999 |
| CNT Depository | Bridgewater, MA | 1972 |
| International Depository Services (IDS) Group | New Castle, DE & Dallas, TX | 1976 |
| A-Mark Precious Metals | Las Vegas, NV | 1965 |
| Brink’s Global Services | Los Angeles, CA, New York City, NY, & Salt Lake City, UT | 1859 |
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