Segregated Storage keeps one client’s physical bullion apart from other clients’ holdings inside a professional vault. At Gold Bullion Partners, each client’s gold and silver is held in its own distinct box, supported by legal-title documentation, independent auditing, comprehensive insurance and the option to request delivery.
This guide explains how Segregated Storage works, how it differs from allocated, commingled and unallocated storage, which bullion can be held this way, and the checks investors should make before using a professional storage service.
Segregated Storage: The Quick Answer
Segregated Storage means your physical bullion is kept apart from other clients’ holdings inside a professional vault. At Gold Bullion Partners, this is combined with legal-title documentation, independent auditing, comprehensive insurance and the ability to sell, transfer or request delivery.
- Physical Separation: your bullion is held in its own distinct box rather than mixed physically with other clients’ holdings.
- Legal Title: documents record your exclusive rights to the reserved metal and separate client property from the provider’s own balance sheet.
- Audit & Insurance: client gold and silver holdings are independently audited by Deloitte LLP and covered by comprehensive insurance.
- Access: clients can issue instructions to sell, transfer or request delivery of stored bullion.
- Storage Plan: the personalised annual plan has no fixed contract term, with later purchases charged on a pro-rata basis.
What Is Segregated Storage?
Segregated Storage describes the physical separation of one client’s precious metals from those belonging to other clients. Separation can be achieved through an individually assigned box, compartment or sealed container inside a larger high-security vault; it does not require a separate vault for every investor.
Gold Bullion Partners provides professional bullion storage for physical gold and silver. Holdings can include bars or coins and are documented by product type, quantity and relevant identifying details.
| Storage Term | Primary Purpose | Typical Arrangement | What To Confirm |
|---|---|---|---|
| Segregated Storage | Physical separation | Client bullion is held in an assigned box, compartment or container | Legal title, inventory, audit, insurance and access procedures |
| Allocated Storage | Ownership and identification | Specific bullion or recorded holdings are assigned to the client | Whether the allocated holdings are also physically segregated |
| Commingled Storage | Shared physical space | Different clients’ holdings may share an area while remaining separately recorded | Identification, title records and withdrawal procedures |
| Unallocated Storage | Contractual entitlement | The customer has a claim to a quantity of metal rather than identified pieces | The ownership and counterparty terms of the entitlement |
How Does Gold Bullion Partners’ Segregated Storage Work?
Gold Bullion Partners connects the purchase, ownership documentation and professional vaulting of physical bullion through one managed process. Each client’s holdings are placed in a distinct box within the professional vault and remain separated from other clients’ metal.
The client receives legal-title documentation confirming exclusive rights to the reserved bullion. Larger gold bars can be recorded by refiner, weight, purity and serial number, while gold coins and other coin holdings can be listed by coin type, quantity and packaging.
For the wider service, see our bullion storage information.
Segregated Storage Process: From Purchase To Access
Select The Bullion
A personal account manager helps the client choose suitable coins or bars and arrange the purchase.
Confirm Legal Title
Documentation records the client’s exclusive rights to the reserved metals.
Identify The Holdings
Bars can be recorded by refiner, weight, purity and serial number where applicable; coin holdings can be listed by type, quantity and packaging.
Place The Metal In Storage
The bullion is held in the client’s own distinct box within the professional vault.
Audit And Insure The Holdings
Gold Bullion Partners states that gold and silver holdings are independently audited by Deloitte LLP and covered by comprehensive insurance.
Sell, Transfer Or Take Delivery
Clients can issue the relevant instruction when they want to sell, transfer or request delivery.
Gold Bullion Partners Storage Service At A Glance
The Gold Bullion Partners storage service combines physical separation with documented ownership and practical custody controls. The key features are a distinct client box, legal-title documentation, separation from the company balance sheet, independent auditing, comprehensive insurance, delivery on demand and a flexible annual storage plan.
| Service Feature | How It Applies | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Distinct Storage Box | Each client’s metals are held separately from other clients’ holdings | Provides physical separation |
| Legal-Title Documentation | Documents verify the client’s exclusive rights to the reserved metals | Clarifies legal ownership |
| Separation From The Balance Sheet | Client metals are kept separate from the Gold Bullion Partners balance sheet | Distinguishes client property from company assets |
| Independent Auditing | Gold and silver holdings are independently audited by Deloitte LLP | Provides independent inventory oversight |
| Comprehensive Insurance | Stored bullion is covered within the insured professional vaulting arrangement | Protection applies within the terms of the insurance arrangement |
| Delivery On Demand | Clients may request shipment by completing the required delivery instruction | Provides a defined route to physical access |
Segregated Storage Vs Allocated, Commingled And Unallocated Storage
Segregation and allocation describe different parts of a custody arrangement. Segregation concerns physical separation, while allocation concerns ownership and identification. A holding can therefore be both allocated and segregated.
Commingled holdings may share physical storage space while still being tracked separately. Unallocated metal usually represents a contractual entitlement to a quantity of metal rather than ownership of identified bars or coins.
| Storage Term | Primary Description | Typical Arrangement | What To Check |
|---|---|---|---|
| Segregated Storage | Physical separation | Bullion is held in an assigned box, compartment or container | How the physical separation is documented |
| Allocated Storage | Ownership and identification | Specific bullion or recorded holdings are assigned to the client | How ownership and identification are evidenced |
| Commingled Storage | Shared physical space | Different clients’ holdings occupy shared physical space but may remain separately recorded | How each client’s holdings remain identifiable |
| Unallocated Storage | A claim to metal | The customer has an entitlement to a quantity rather than identified pieces | The legal and counterparty terms of the entitlement |
For a deeper ownership comparison, read our allocated vs unallocated gold guide and review our bullion storage service.
Storage terms, insurance and access procedures should be reviewed in the written service documents before proceeding.
Which Bullion Can Be Held In Segregated Storage?
Professional Segregated Storage can be used for physical gold and silver purchased through Gold Bullion Partners. Bars can be efficient for holding significant value, while coins may provide greater divisibility and easier partial access.
Bullion That Can Use Segregated Storage
Gold BarsGold CoinsSilver BarsSilver CoinsPension GoldMixed Holdings
The storage model can support gold, silver or a combination of both. Product choice still affects space, divisibility and how holdings are identified on inventory records.
Can Pension Gold Use Segregated Storage?
Gold Bullion Partners also arranges allocated and segregated vaulting for qualifying pension gold. The pension service uses identified investment-grade bars held through suitable SIPP or SSAS arrangements, with storage coordinated at Brink’s facilities in London or Zurich.
| Area | How It Applies | What To Confirm |
|---|---|---|
| Eligibility | The pension arrangement must permit qualifying physical gold | Check the pension provider and applicable rules |
| Bullion | Identified investment-grade bars are used for the pension storage service | Confirm the eligible bar specification |
| Structure | The holding is arranged through a suitable SIPP or SSAS | Confirm the administrator and provider requirements |
| Storage | Allocated and segregated vaulting is used for qualifying pension gold | Confirm ownership, inventory and withdrawal terms |
| Location | Storage is coordinated at Brink’s facilities in London or Zurich | Confirm the selected vaulting location and service terms |
See our Pension Gold service for more information on eligible bullion and professional storage arrangements within suitable pension structures.
Why Choose Gold Bullion Partners For Segregated Bullion Storage?
Segregated Storage is most useful when physical separation is supported by the wider protections needed for professional custody. Gold Bullion Partners combines distinct client boxes with legal-title documents, independent auditing, comprehensive insurance and an experienced professional vaulting arrangement.
Storage is arranged through a personalised annual plan with no fixed contract term, while later purchases are charged on a pro-rata basis. Clients can also request shipment through the relevant delivery instruction process.
Explore our bullion storage service, our guide to allocated vs unallocated gold and our Pension Gold service.
What Should Clients Confirm Before Proceeding?
| Check | Evidence | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Legal Title | Written legal-title documentation | Confirms the client’s exclusive rights to the reserved bullion |
| Inventory | Recorded bar or coin details | Shows what is reserved for the client |
| Independent Audit | Audit arrangements and records | Provides oversight of stored holdings |
| Insurance | Written insurance terms | Clarifies the scope of covered risks |
| Fees And Delivery | Annual charges and delivery procedures | Shows the cost and route to access |
Before proceeding, review the legal-title documents, inventory records, insurance terms, annual charges and delivery procedures, and confirm how specific bars or coin holdings are recorded.
Legal Title, Audit, Insurance And Delivery
Professional custody should make it clear who owns the bullion, how the holdings are identified, who audits the inventory, what the insurance covers and how clients can access the metal. Those protections matter alongside the physical separation itself.
For larger holdings, review our bullion storage information and confirm the written ownership and insurance terms before using any storage provider.
How Do You Access Or Take Delivery Of Stored Bullion?
Clients can issue instructions to sell, transfer or take delivery of bullion held in storage. A delivery request is completed through the required instruction process and is subject to the applicable identity, packaging and insured transport procedures.
| Question | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| How Do I Request Delivery? | Clarifies the instruction, identity, packaging and transport process. |
| Will The Same Identified Items Be Returned? | Confirms whether specific stored bullion is returned following a delivery request. |
| How Is A Sale Or Transfer Instructed? | Defines the client’s control and exit process. |
| What Delivery And Transport Charges Apply? | Makes the cost of accessing the bullion clear. |
| How Is The Shipment Insured And Tracked? | Clarifies protection and handling while bullion is in transit. |
| Can I Sell Or Transfer Only Part Of The Holding? | Confirms whether partial access is available for the products held. |
Questions To Ask Before Using Segregated Storage
Before using any storage service, confirm the legal-title wording, inventory records, insurance scope, audit arrangements, annual fees and delivery process. Also ask whether the same identified items will be returned following a delivery request.
Physical gold and silver investments are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, so Financial Ombudsman Service and Financial Services Compensation Scheme protections do not apply. Independent advice may be appropriate where suitability or tax treatment is uncertain.
Segregated Storage Checklist
- Review the legal-title documents before storage.
- Confirm how bars and coins are identified on the inventory.
- Ask who independently audits the holdings and how the process works.
- Read the insurance scope and applicable terms.
- Confirm annual charges and how later purchases are charged pro-rata.
- Understand the instructions and fees for sale, transfer and delivery.
- Confirm whether the same identified items will be returned following a delivery request.
How To Assess A Bullion Storage Provider
A credible bullion storage provider should make ownership, custody and access easy to understand. Look for documented legal title, clear inventory records, independent audit arrangements, comprehensive insurance, transparent annual charges and a defined process for sale, transfer or delivery.
For more detail on Gold Bullion Partners’ custody arrangements, review our bullion storage service before proceeding.
How Gold Bullion Partners Supports Segregated Storage
Gold Bullion Partners helps clients select physical gold or silver, document ownership, arrange Segregated Storage and later sell, transfer or request delivery. The service is designed to keep client bullion physically separate while maintaining clear legal title and custody records.
Considering Segregated Storage?
Discuss legal title, vaulting, independent auditing, insurance, charges and delivery arrangements with the Gold Bullion Partners team.
Segregated Storage FAQs
Does Gold Bullion Partners Offer Fully Segregated Storage?
Yes. We hold each client’s metals in a distinct box, separate from other clients’ holdings and our balance sheet.
Is Segregated Storage The Same As Allocated Storage?
No. Allocation concerns ownership and identification, while segregation concerns physical separation. Our service supports both with legal-title documents and distinct client boxes.
Are Stored Gold And Silver Independently Audited And Insured?
Yes. Client gold and silver holdings are independently audited by Deloitte LLP and covered by comprehensive insurance within the vaulting arrangement.
Can I Take Delivery Of Bullion Held In Storage?
Yes. Clients can request delivery by completing the required instruction, subject to the applicable identity, packaging and transport procedures.
Does Segregated Storage Require A Separate Vault For Each Investor?
No. Segregation can be achieved through an individually assigned box, compartment or sealed container inside a larger professional vault.
Which Bullion Can Be Held In Segregated Storage?
Physical gold and silver purchased through Gold Bullion Partners can be held in professional storage, including bars, coins and qualifying pension gold where the relevant pension arrangement permits it.
Is Segregated Storage Right For Every Bullion Investor?
Not necessarily. It may suit clients who want physical separation alongside legal-title documentation, auditing, insurance and delivery flexibility. Costs, access needs and the amount of bullion being stored should also be considered.
Is Segregated Storage Right For Your Bullion?
Segregated Storage may suit bullion owners who want physical gold or silver kept apart from other client holdings while retaining legal-title documentation, independent auditing, insurance and delivery flexibility. The practical decision should compare the storage plan, annual charges, ownership records and withdrawal process with your own requirements.
Segregated Storage: Key Facts
Summary: Segregated Storage keeps a client’s physical bullion apart from other clients’ holdings. Gold Bullion Partners combines distinct client boxes with legal-title documentation, independent auditing, comprehensive insurance and delivery flexibility.
- Primary Intent: Understand how Segregated Storage works for physical gold and silver.
- Key Distinction: Segregation describes physical separation; allocation describes ownership and identification.
- Core Checks: Review legal title, inventory records, audit arrangements, insurance, fees and delivery procedures before proceeding.
