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Buying silver bars is only interesting for business purposes in the Netherlands. Silver bars are taxed with 21% VAT in the Netherlands, whereby the VAT for entrepreneurs is generally recoverable. Private individuals cannot reclaim this VAT and therefore often opt for silver coins. Silver bars are newly cast and consist of at least 99.99% pure silver.
At Holland Gold, only silver bars from LBMA-certified suppliers are offered. These products have a Good Delivery Status, which makes them tradable worldwide.
The most advantageous for both private and business customers is to purchase silver bars outside the EU in combination with storage via Holland Gold Safe. Because these bars are in a customs depot in Switzerland or Singapore, no tax is levied. These bars are therefore VAT-free! By buying silver bars in Switzerland or Singapore, you get the most silver for your money!
For companies subject to VAT, it can be attractive to buy silver bars, because this VAT is in principle deductible. The silver bars are available in different weights. The common silver bars are often a bit higher in weight compared to most gold bars. One 5 kilo silver bar is not uncommon and the 1000-troy ounce bar (31.1 kg) in combination with storage itself is the best-selling product.
People think of silver as the poor man's gold, which is absolutely the wrong way to look at it. Gold has the most monetary character, but silver moves in times when a financial system is under pressure, at least as much as gold.
Silver is a commodity and monetary metal. Gold and silver have related to each other to some extent over a long history; This is called the gold-silver ratio. Silver has not been this cheap in 25 years compared to gold.
The choice of a silver coin or Silver bar is important because of VAT. Silver is an industrial metal as opposed to gold, which is categorized as a monetary metal. As a result, 21% VAT is charged on silver bars. As for all other "white" precious metals such as platinum, palladium and rhodium. It is therefore better for private individuals to purchase silver coins: silver coins fall under the margin scheme in the Netherlands. In the case of the margin scheme, the trader does not calculate VAT on turnover, but on the difference between the selling price and the Cost of the goods: the (profit) margin. As a result, a lot less VAT is paid for silver coins. It can only be interesting for business customers to buy silver bars because in some cases they can reclaim the VAT.
The most advantageous for both individuals and business customers is to Silver bars or platinum bars to be purchased in combination with storage outside the EU, such as in Switzerland or Singapore. Because these bars are in a customs depot, no tax is levied on them. These bars are therefore VAT-free!
No, silver bars are never supplied with a separate certificate of authenticity. This is why it’s important to buy silver bars that are LBMA-certified. LBMA stands for the London Bullion Market Association — the international organization that oversees the quality and provenance of precious metals.
Depending on their size, LBMA-certified bars are either casted or minted. All essential details are stamped directly onto the bar itself, making an additional certificate unnecessary.
Each LBMA-certified silver bar displays the following details, which together confirm the authenticity and origin of the bar:
Holland Gold exclusively sells silver bars produced by LBMA-accredited refiners. The Good Delivery status is an internationally recognized quality mark that sets strict standards for production, weight, and purity.
Learn more about the authenticity certificates that are standard with gold bars.
The precious metal you buy from us often comes directly from leading mints and accredited refineries. We carefully check the precious metal in our range for authenticity.
You can silver Easy self-testing:
Precious metals are not only interesting for private individuals. More and more entrepreneurs or business investors are opting for an investment in gold and silverThey buy gold and silver in the name of a business entity such as a private limited company.
Read here More about the advantages of buying precious metals for business.
Those looking to invest in silver can choose between silver coins and silver bars. Both forms consist of physical silver and are traded worldwide. However, there are clear differences between these two investment options, particularly when it comes to VAT and storage.
To understand the difference between silver coins and silver bars, it is important to distinguish between VAT-liable and VAT-free silver. Silver is classified by the Dutch Tax Authorities as an industrial metal. Therefore, a 21% VAT rate applies unless coins fall under the margin scheme or bars are stored in bonded vaults abroad.
Newly issued silver bullion coins (recognisable by the most recent year of issue) and silver bars purchased or stored in the Netherlands are subject to 21% VAT.
No 21% VAT applies to:
These “various years” coins fall under the margin scheme, meaning VAT does not apply.
Read more about the margin scheme
For private investors, purchasing VAT-free silver coins or bars is generally the most cost-effective way to invest in physical silver. The table below outlines the main differences:
| Feature | Silver coins | Silver bars |
|---|---|---|
| Available weights | From ¼ troy ounce (7.78 g) up to 5 kg | From 50 g up to 1,000 troy ounces (31.1 kg) |
| VAT-free purchase available? | Yes – “various years” silver coins | Yes – with storage in Switzerland or Singapore (bonded vault) |
| Legal tender | Yes | No |
| Liquidity | High, recognised worldwide | High, recognised worldwide |
| Storage options | VAT-free in private possession or in storage | VAT-free only with foreign bonded storage (otherwise 21% VAT applies) |
For most private investors, the following options offer the best value:
If you purchase silver as a business, you may be able to reclaim the 21% VAT on newly issued silver coins or bars through your VAT return. Always consult your accountant or tax adviser to confirm whether this applies to your situation before making a purchase.
