Washington Bullion Sales Taxes

Washington Precious Metals Tax Information

The state of Washington requires the collection of sales tax on certain products sold by APMEX and delivered to a Washington address.

Please note: The information below is not a comprehensive description of sales tax laws and requirements in the state of Washington. It is intended only to provide a brief overview of Washington sales tax laws and requirements currently in effect that may relate to transactions with APMEX.

Sales tax is generally determined by the laws in effect on the date an order ships, not the date the order is placed. Because sales tax laws and product taxability rules can change, APMEX encourages customers to review applicable tax information before completing a purchase.

What Precious Metals Are Taxed?

Washington sales tax must be collected on certain products sold by APMEX and shipped to a Washington address.

Under current Washington law, sales of precious metal bullion and monetized bullion are subject to Washington retail sales tax. Washington’s tax treatment changed effective January 1, 2026, when sales of precious metal bullion and monetized bullion became taxable.

Taxes must generally be collected on:

1. Precious metal bullion;
2. Monetized bullion;
3. Copper products;
4. Numismatic paper currency;
5. Accessory items; and
6. Processed items.

Paper currency sold or exchanged as legal tender is exempt from Washington retail sales tax, while paper currency sold for collectible or numismatic value is generally taxable in retail transactions

All products sold by APMEX that do not qualify for a Washington sales tax exemption may be subject to Washington sales tax.

Taxable Products in Washington

The following definitions apply to products on which Washington sales tax may be collected:

• Precious Metal Bullion. Precious metal bullion generally means precious metal that has been processed, smelted, or refined and whose value depends on its metal content rather than its form. Precious metals may include gold, silver, platinum, rhodium, palladium, or similar metals.
• Monetized Bullion. Monetized bullion generally means coins or other forms of money manufactured from gold, silver, or other metals and used, previously used, or later used as a medium of exchange under the laws of Washington, the United States, or any foreign nation, but does not include coins or money sold to be manufactured into jewelry or works of art. Sales of monetized bullion are subject to Washington retail sales tax.
• Copper Products. Copper products are generally taxable unless another Washington exemption applies.
• Numismatic Paper Currency. Paper currency with external value above its stated value due to rarity, condition, age, collectability, or another external factor. Paper currency sold for any purpose other than use as legal tender is generally taxable in retail transactions.
• Accessory Items. Items such as holders, tubes, coin flips, storage products, or similar supplies.
• Processed Items. Precious metals that have been processed into items valued on more than their metal content, such as jewelry, statues, colorized coins, works of art, or similar products. These items are generally taxable.

How Does Washington Calculate Precious Metals Taxes?

Taxes in Washington are calculated at checkout on the APMEX website based on:

1. The taxability of the products sold by APMEX and shipped to a Washington address;
2. Washington sales tax rules in effect at the time the order ships;
3. Whether the product qualifies for a Washington sales tax exemption; and
4. The specific tax rates established by the taxing jurisdiction of the delivery address in Washington.

Washington Precious Metal Bullion and Monetized Bullion

Sales of precious metal bullion and monetized bullion shipped to a Washington address are subject to Washington retail sales tax under current Washington law.

This tax treatment does not depend on whether the bullion is purchased for investment, collection, or precious metal content. Precious metal bullion, monetized bullion, numismatic paper currency, copper products, accessory items, and processed items may all be taxable when shipped to a Washington address.

APMEX calculates applicable Washington sales tax at checkout based on product taxability, the shipping address, and Washington law in effect when the order ships.