BullionVault Review: The Smart Way to Buy Gold Bullion in Canada

🏆 Canada's Best Gold Buying Platform 🏆

Stop Paying 5-8% Premiums to Coin Dealers

Save $450+ on every $10,000 invested
Toronto vault storage with Brink's security
Zero GST/HST on all purchases
0.12% annual fees (vs 0.40% for ETFs)
Own real gold bars - not paper IOUs

✅ No obligation • ✅ Free to open • ✅ Start trading in 5 minutes

Looking to buy gold bullion in Canada?

You're probably getting hammered with 5-8% premiums at local coin dealers. Maybe you're looking at ETFs with their 0.40% annual fees.

There's a better way.

BullionVault lets Canadian investors access the professional gold market. The same market used by central banks and major refineries.

We're talking wholesale prices. Toronto vault storage. No GST/HST.

Let's break down exactly why BullionVault is crushing traditional Canadian gold dealers.

What Is BullionVault?

BullionVault is the world's largest online investment gold service.

The numbers:

$7 billion in client assets
120,000+ users across 175 countries
$200 million in gold and silver traded monthly
Winner of three Queen's Awards for Enterprise

Based in London since 2005, BullionVault operates secure vaults in five locations worldwide.

One of those locations? Toronto, Canada.

Click here to open a free BullionVault account (no obligation, get 4 grams of free silver)

Why Canadian Investors Are Switching to BullionVault

1. Toronto Vault Storage - Your Gold Stays in Canada

This is huge.

Your gold is stored in a dedicated Brink's vault in Toronto. Not London. Not New York. Toronto.

Canadian jurisdiction. Canadian rule of law. British common law property rights.

The vault is operated exclusively by Brink's - a global leader in secure logistics with 70,000 employees worldwide.

BullionVault doesn't touch your physical gold. That's the security model. Separation of duties between the record-keeper (BullionVault) and the custodian (Brink's).

For Canadian investors worried about foreign jurisdiction risks, this is the answer.

2. You Actually Own the Gold (Bailment Structure)

Here's something most investors don't understand:

When you deposit cash in a Canadian bank, you don't own that money anymore. The bank owns it. You're an unsecured creditor.

BullionVault operates under "bailment" - an English common law concept where physical property is held in trust without transferring ownership.

What this means:

The gold never appears on BullionVault's balance sheet. If BullionVault went bankrupt tomorrow, creditors couldn't touch your gold. It's your legal property, held in your name.

This is the opposite of "unallocated gold" accounts at Canadian banks, where you're holding an IOU instead of actual metal.

3. Wholesale Pricing Destroys Retail Markups

Let's talk numbers.

When you buy a Gold Maple Leaf from a local dealer in Canada:

Premium over spot: 5-8%
Dealer buy-back discount: 2-5% below spot
Total round-trip loss: 10%+ of your capital

BullionVault's cost structure:

Commission: 0.50% on first $75,000 (drops to 0.05% for larger amounts)
Spread on order board: ~0.2%
Total entry cost: Under 1%

Cost comparison for $10,000 CAD investment:

Method	Purchase Premium	Annual Fee	Insurance
Local Coin Dealer	$500 (5%)	$0 (home storage)	Expensive/Limited
Gold ETF (GLD/PHYS)	$0 (market price)	$40-70 (0.40-0.70%)	Included
BullionVault Toronto	$50 (0.5%)	$12 (0.12%)	Lloyd's of London

You save $450 on entry. You save $28-58 annually.

Over 10 years, that's massive.

Start saving on gold purchases - open your free account here

4. No GST/HST - Fully Tax Compliant

Canadian tax law is clear:

Investment-grade bullion is exempt from GST/HST if it meets purity standards:

Gold: Minimum 99.5% purity
Silver: Minimum 99.9% purity
Platinum: Minimum 99.0% purity

BullionVault stores London Good Delivery bars that exceed these standards:

Gold bars: 99.5%+ purity (often 99.99%)
Silver bars: 99.9%+ purity

Result? Zero GST/HST on your purchases.

If you bought gold in Ontario with HST (13%), you'd pay an extra $1,300 on a $10,000 purchase. Gone. Unrecoverable.

BullionVault eliminates that.

For capital gains tax, BullionVault provides detailed transaction histories. Makes CRA reporting simple. You report the 50% taxable inclusion rate on gains, just like any other investment.

5. Good Delivery Bars - Maximum Liquidity

The Toronto vault stores 400 oz gold bars and 1,000 oz silver bars.

These aren't retail products. They're the wholesale units traded by central banks, refineries, and major dealers.

Why does this matter?

Good Delivery bars are accepted globally without question. No assay needed. No testing. Instant trust.

When you buy a coin and store it at home, you break the "Chain of Integrity." To sell it back, dealers may require testing at your expense.

BullionVault keeps your gold in the chain. When you sell, buyers know the metal has never left the secure vault. You get full market value.

6. Daily Audit - Proof Your Gold Exists

Every single business day, BullionVault publishes a reconciliation:

The Bar List (from vault operators) vs. The Client Register (customer holdings)

You can log in and verify your exact holdings are listed under your anonymous nickname.

This is audited by Armstrong Watson, an independent accounting firm.

No other bullion business does this daily. Not Canadian banks. Not ETFs. Nobody.

It's mathematical proof BullionVault isn't running a fractional reserve or selling gold it doesn't have.

See the daily audit yourself - open a free account

7. Lloyd's of London Insurance Included

Insuring gold at home in Canada is painful.

Standard homeowner policies cap bullion coverage at $500-$1,000. Scheduling items is expensive and advertises your holdings to insurers.

BullionVault's 0.12% annual storage fee includes comprehensive Lloyd's of London insurance.

Coverage: Physical loss, damage, and theft.

To insure $50,000 in gold privately in Canada? You're looking at $500-$1,000 annually (1-2%).

BullionVault charges $60 per year for the same coverage. Plus vault storage.

Over 10 years, you save $4,400-$9,400 on insurance alone.

8. Canadian Banking Integration

Funding your account is straightforward:

Wire transfer (SWIFT) from any Canadian bank. Your bank converts CAD to USD/GBP/EUR at the point of transfer.

Security feature: Linked account policy.

Funds can ONLY be withdrawn to the bank account they came from. Even if someone hacked your BullionVault account, they couldn't redirect your money elsewhere.

Cash awaiting investment is held in segregated client trust accounts at Lloyds, Barclays, and Wells Fargo - ring-fenced from BullionVault's corporate debts.

9. Store Gold Internationally (If You Want)

Toronto vault is great. But what if you want international diversification?

BullionVault operates vaults in five locations:

Toronto (Canada)
New York (USA)
London (UK)
Zurich (Switzerland)
Singapore

You can switch between vaults instantly. Sell your Toronto holdings, buy Zurich holdings. Your gold is re-domiciled in seconds.

For Canadians worried about political risk, trade wars, or capital controls, this is powerful.

Swiss neutrality. Singapore stability. Geographic insurance.

10. Physical Withdrawal Available

Can you actually get your gold?

Yes. Three options:

Option 1: 100g Gold Bars
Shipped directly to your Canadian address via insured courier. Bridges the gap between wholesale efficiency and physical possession.

Option 2: Whole Good Delivery Bars
Withdraw standard 400 oz gold bars or 1,000 oz silver bars. Fee: ~$420 USD plus shipping.

Option 3: Cash Withdrawal
Sell and wire funds back to your Canadian bank account. Funds arrive next business day.

Most investors keep gold in the vault for liquidity. But the withdrawal option proves the metal is real.

11. Currency Diversification

BullionVault lets you trade in USD, EUR, GBP, or JPY.

Why this matters for Canadians:

The Canadian dollar has been weak. When you buy gold in USD, you're effectively shorting the CAD.

If the Loonie tanks, you benefit twice:

Gold price appreciation
USD/CAD exchange rate gain

Instant settlement means you can react to Bank of Canada announcements in real-time.

12. 24/7 Trading (When Crisis Hits)

Canadian banks operate 9-5 EST. Stock markets close at 4pm.

BullionVault's order board is open 24/7. Weekends. Holidays. Always.

Why this matters:

Financial crises happen over weekends. Bank failures. Elections. Wars.

While ETFs are frozen and bank counters are closed, BullionVault users can trade.

You can set limit orders - specify the exact price you'll accept. No slippage when markets gap open Monday morning.

With $7 billion in client assets, liquidity is deep. A Canadian investor can liquidate $50k-$100k instantly without moving the market.

13. Corporate Accounts for Business Owners

Canadian corporations can open BullionVault accounts.

Instead of holding cash in low-yield bank accounts (getting destroyed by inflation), diversify your balance sheet into gold.

Liquidity remains high. Sell back to cash (T+2 or instant) for payroll or capital needs.

For importers/exporters, holding gold and foreign currency reserves hedges against CAD volatility.

14. Estate Planning Benefits

When you die, your BullionVault account is easier to handle than a safety deposit box full of coins.

Instant valuation: Your executor gets an audited statement of holdings. No physical inventory needed.

Joint accounts: Right of Survivorship typically applies. Your spouse retains access without probate delays.

Clear title: Because assets are held in bailment, they're clearly defined legal property. Simplifies transfer to heirs.

15. Military-Grade Security Features

"Burglar Alarm" SMS notifications: Any withdrawal request triggers an instant text to your phone. Even if someone compromises your login, you're alerted immediately.

"Closed Loop" defense: Funds can only go back to your original bank account. Hackers can't redirect money to third parties.

Mobile app: Monitor prices, execute trades, review the Daily Audit from anywhere.

How BullionVault Compares to Alternatives

BullionVault vs. Canadian Coin Dealers

Coin dealers: 5-8% premium over spot. Wide bid-ask spreads. Home storage risks. Insurance expensive.

BullionVault: 0.5% commission. Narrow 0.2% spreads. Professional vault storage. Lloyd's insurance included.

Winner: BullionVault by a landslide.

BullionVault vs. Gold ETFs (GLD, PHYS)

ETFs: 0.40-0.70% annual fees. No insurance in some cases. Manager chooses vault location. Can't take physical delivery. Markets closed nights/weekends.

BullionVault: 0.12% annual storage. Lloyd's insurance. You choose vault location. Physical withdrawal available. 24/7 trading.

Winner: BullionVault wins on fees and control.

BullionVault vs. Bank Safety Deposit Boxes

Bank boxes: Uninsured. Limited access hours. Annual fees. No liquidity (can't sell quickly).

BullionVault: Fully insured. 24/7 access. Low fees. Instant liquidity.

Winner: BullionVault dominates.

What We Don't Like

Let's be balanced. BullionVault isn't perfect for everyone.

Minimum storage fees: $4/month for gold, $8/month for silver. If you're investing less than $2,000, these minimums can make it inefficient.

Not suitable for numismatic collectors: BullionVault is for bullion investors. If you collect rare coins for their numismatic value, stick with specialized dealers.

No direct RRSP/TFSA option: You can't hold BullionVault gold directly in registered accounts. You'd need to use a self-directed plan with approved custodians.

Currency conversion: Canadian banks charge spreads on CAD to USD/GBP conversions. Use a currency broker like Wise or OFX to get better rates before funding.

Who Should Use BullionVault?

Perfect for:

Canadians investing $2,000+ in gold or silver
Investors who want true ownership (not paper gold)
Anyone tired of paying 5-8% dealer premiums
People who value transparency and daily audits
Corporate treasurers diversifying balance sheets
Investors seeking geographic diversification

Not ideal for:

Very small investors (under $2,000)
Numismatic coin collectors
Those who must hold gold in RRSP/TFSA directly
People uncomfortable with online platforms

How to Get Started

Opening an account takes about 5 minutes:

Step 1: Sign up at BullionVault.com
Free to open. No obligation to trade. You get 4 grams of free silver to test the platform.

Step 2: Fund your account
Wire transfer from your Canadian bank. Choose USD, GBP, or EUR.

Step 3: Buy gold or silver
Use the live order board. Choose Toronto vault storage. Set your price or take the best available offer.

Step 4: Validate your account
Upload photo ID and bank statement within 8 weeks. (You can trade immediately, but validation removes account limits.)

BullionVault Fees Breakdown

Opening account: Free
Depositing funds: Free
Commission on trades: 0.50% on first $75,000 (drops to 0.05% for larger amounts)
Storage + Insurance (Gold): 0.12% per year (min $4/month)
Storage + Insurance (Silver/Platinum/Palladium): 0.48% per year (min $8/month)
Withdrawals to bank: Usually free (UK). Up to $30 via SWIFT for international.
Physical gold withdrawal (100g bars): 3-5% depending on location

Final Verdict: Is BullionVault Worth It for Canadians?

Short answer: Yes.

If you're serious about buying gold bullion in Canada, BullionVault offers the best combination of price, security, and liquidity we've seen.

The Toronto vault gives you domestic storage with international security standards.

The bailment structure means you actually own the gold - not a bank IOU.

Wholesale pricing saves you thousands compared to retail coin dealers.

No GST/HST. Lloyd's insurance. Daily audits. 24/7 trading.

For investors deploying $2,000+ into precious metals, this is the most cost-effective way to own physical gold in Canada.

Open your free account and get 4 grams of silver to start

Key Takeaways

Save 5-8% vs. local coin dealers
Save $28-58 annually vs. gold ETFs
Zero GST/HST on investment-grade bullion
Toronto vault storage with Brink's security
You own the gold via bailment structure
Daily audit proves your metal exists
Lloyd's of London insurance included
24/7 trading when crises hit
Physical withdrawal available anytime
$7 billion in client assets = deep liquidity

Bottom line: BullionVault is the smart way to buy gold bullion in Canada. Lower costs. Better security. True ownership.

Click here to open a free BullionVault account (get 4 grams of free silver to test the platform)

Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you open an account through our links, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support our website. All opinions and analysis are our own. We only recommend services we believe provide genuine value to Canadian investors.

Investment disclaimer: The information provided is for educational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Gold prices can go down as well as up. Always consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. Past performance does not guarantee future results.