Raffles Place, located in the very heart of Singapore’s Central Business District (CBD), is the epicenter of gold trading and investment in the city-state. Known for its cluster of global banks, financial institutions, and bullion houses, Raffles Place represents the core of Singapore’s gold and precious metals industry.

For international investors seeking certified 24K gold bars, Raffles Place offers security, transparency, and direct access to some of the world’s most reputable gold dealers, refineries, and storage facilities. Supported by Singapore’s zero-GST policy on investment-grade bullion and world-class logistics, it has become a trusted global hub for gold buying, selling, and investment.

The Importance of Raffles Place in Singapore’s Gold Industry

Raffles Place serves as the financial heart of Singapore, surrounded by global banks, international commodity traders, and bullion refineries. It is home to several LBMA-accredited dealers and acts as a meeting point for buyers from Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.

Singapore’s government, through the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS), ensures the highest level of regulatory compliance for precious metals trade. This framework has positioned Raffles Place as a global standard in gold security, refining, and custody.

Why Buy Gold Bars From Raffles Place

1. Government-Backed Transparency

Gold dealers and financial institutions in Raffles Place are licensed and regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS). This guarantees that all transactions are legally compliant, traceable, and safe for both local and foreign investors.

2. Zero Taxes on Investment Gold

Singapore has no Goods and Services Tax (GST) on investment-grade precious metals, making Raffles Place one of the most cost-effective markets for buying gold bars and bullion.

3. Global Standard Refining and Hallmarking

Dealers at Raffles Place only sell gold refined by LBMA-accredited refineries, ensuring 99.9% to 99.99% purity and international recognition of authenticity.

4. Convenient International Access

Raffles Place is just minutes from Singapore Changi Airport, one of the busiest cargo airports in the world, providing smooth import and export logistics for high-value shipments.

5. Secure Vaulting and Storage Options

Buyers can store their gold bars in fully insured vaults, often within the same financial buildings or through nearby custodial centers in Marina Bay or Tanjong Pagar.

Types of Gold Bars Available at Raffles Place

1. Investment-Grade Gold Bars
   • Purity: 99.9%–99.99%
   • Weights: 1oz, 100g, 500g, 1kg, and 12.5kg
   • Brands: PAMP Suisse, Metalor, Heraeus, Argor-Heraeus, and Valcambi
2. Custom-Minted Gold Bars
   • Personalized with serial numbers or brand engravings.
   • Offered by select bullion dealers for corporate and institutional buyers.
3. Raw and Semi-Refined Gold
   • Available for industrial and refining purposes.
   • Subject to MAS and Singapore Customs approval for trade and storage.
4. Gold Coins and Collectibles
   • Popular among individual investors.
   • Includes Maple Leaf, Krugerrand, and Australian Kangaroo coins.

Major Gold Dealers and Refineries Around Raffles Place

1. BullionStar (Marina Bay / Raffles Place Vicinity)

A highly reputable Singapore-based bullion dealer offering physical gold bars, storage, and online trading for international clients.

2. UOB Gold and Precious Metals Division

United Overseas Bank (UOB) provides government-certified gold bars and allows clients to purchase or store gold securely in their vaults within Raffles Place.

3. Degussa Precious Metals Asia

Located near Raffles Place, Degussa offers globally recognized gold bars and personalized investment advice.

4. Silver Bullion Pte Ltd (Close to CBD)

Provides gold purchase, private vaulting, and export services, serving both retail and institutional clients.

5. GoldSilver Central Pte Ltd

MAS-approved bullion dealer offering LBMA-certified bars, vaulting, and international logistics solutions.

Legal and Regulatory Framework

All gold trading within Raffles Place follows strict regulatory guidelines under:

• Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) – Licensing and compliance oversight.
• Singapore Customs – Regulates imports and exports of bullion.
• Singapore Bullion Market Association (SBMA) – Establishes industry standards and membership for reputable dealers.

Buyers are required to comply with KYC (Know Your Customer) and AML (Anti-Money Laundering) regulations before engaging in transactions.

How to Buy Gold Bars From Raffles Place

Step 1: Select a Licensed Dealer

Choose a MAS-approved bullion company or bank-based dealer. Verify credentials on the MAS registry or SBMA membership directory.

Step 2: Choose Your Gold Product

Decide between investment-grade bars, coins, or raw bullion depending on your investment goals.

Step 3: Confirm Pricing

Prices are based on the international gold spot rate in USD/oz, adjusted for Singapore market premiums. Reputable dealers publish transparent live prices.

Step 4: Make Secure Payment

Most dealers accept:

• Bank wire transfers
• On-site payments (SGD, USD, or EUR)
• Cryptocurrency (in select licensed establishments)

Step 5: Choose Delivery or Storage

You may:

• Collect gold bars in person
• Store in secure vaults within Raffles Place
• Request insured international shipment to your destination

Exporting Gold From Singapore

Singapore offers efficient export procedures for certified buyers.
Requirements include:

• Export declaration through Singapore Customs
• Commercial invoice and packing list
• Certificate of authenticity and assay report
• Buyer’s identification and proof of purchase

Export partners like Malca-Amit and Brinks Singapore provide door-to-door insured logistics for all international gold shipments.

Refining and Assaying Services

While Singapore does not mine gold locally, Raffles Place connects investors to global refining networks. Assaying services ensure gold meets international purity standards.

Prominent refiners include:

• Metalor Technologies Singapore (LBMA-accredited)
• PAMP Asia Refinery
• Argor-Heraeus Singapore

These facilities provide refining up to 99.99% purity, bar casting, hallmarking, and certification.

Gold Storage and Custodial Services

Raffles Place and its surrounding districts offer world-class storage facilities, such as:

• The Safe House Singapore – Vaulting for private clients.
• Brinks Singapore Vault – Institutional-level security.
• Le Freeport Singapore – High-security bonded warehouse for high-net-worth investors.

All facilities provide:

• 24-hour surveillance
• Dual authentication access
• Full insurance and audit tracking

Investment Opportunities

Raffles Place is ideal for investors looking to diversify into physical gold, ETFs, or futures contracts. Opportunities include:

1. Physical Gold Ownership – Direct purchase of bars and coins.
2. Gold Savings Accounts – Offered by banks like UOB and OCBC.
3. Gold ETFs – Listed on the Singapore Exchange (SGX).
4. Institutional Partnerships – Co-investment in refining or export ventures.

Risk Management and Best Practices

To ensure a safe and profitable experience:

• Buy only from MAS-licensed dealers.
• Always verify the assay certificate and LBMA hallmark.
• Use insured logistics for export shipments.
• Monitor global spot prices for optimal purchase timing.
• Consider long-term storage in regulated vaults.

The Future of Gold Trade in Raffles Place

Singapore continues to enhance its status as a global gold trading hub, and Raffles Place is its beating heart.
Key developments include:

• Integration of blockchain for gold traceability.
• Expansion of Freeport and customs-free vaulting services.
• Digital gold tokenization projects linking physical bullion to blockchain systems.

These initiatives ensure that Raffles Place remains Asia’s most secure and transparent destination for gold investors.

Conclusion

Buying gold bars from Raffles Place means investing in security, quality, and global credibility. With its government-regulated framework, tax exemptions, LBMA-certified dealers, and world-class storage, Singapore’s financial center offers unmatched value to investors worldwide.

From individual buyers to institutional traders, Raffles Place stands as a beacon of trust and opportunity in the international gold trade.