You ship your gold, the buyer tests and weighs it, then sends an offer or a payment. Before you mail anything, read how the offer works, whether you can turn it down and get your items back free and insured, and how long they wait before melting your gold.
How selling gold by mail works
Mail-in gold buyers are businesses that buy gold, silver and platinum by post instead of over a counter. The steps are usually similar:
- You request a kit or a shipping label. Some buyers send a padded envelope; others let you use your own box.
- You ship your items. The package is normally tracked and insured, either by the buyer or by you.
- The buyer tests and weighs everything. Most use electronic testers or XRF machines. See how gold buyers test your gold.
- You get an offer or a payment. Depending on the company, they either contact you with a price to accept, or simply send payment.
- You accept, or ask for your items back.
Mail-in buyers can pay a higher share of melt value than many local shops because they handle a lot of metal. The trade-off is that you hand over your gold before you know the price, so the terms matter more than they do in person. See where to sell gold for how they compare with other buyers.
The most important question: how is the offer made?
This is the single biggest difference between buyers. Some send you an offer and wait for you to say yes. Others send a check or payment automatically, and cashing it counts as accepting.
The Federal Trade Commission told Congress in 2010 that it had received complaints from people selling gold jewelry, including that some online buyers gave a price quote only if the seller asked for one. So before you ship, find out in writing:
- Will they contact you with an offer before paying?
- If they send payment automatically, how long do you have to reject it?
- How long do they hold your items before melting or reselling them? Once gold is melted, you can’t get your pieces back.
If the terms aren’t clear on the website, ask. If you still can’t get a clear answer, that’s a reason to use a different buyer.
Check the return terms
If you turn down the offer, you want your items back in the same condition, at no cost, with insurance. Check:
- Who pays for return shipping?
- Is the return package insured, and for how much?
- How quickly will they send items back?
- Is there any fee for testing or handling if you decline?
Check the insurance on the way there
Most kits include insurance, but coverage often has limits. Find out how much the package is insured for, whether that covers the full value of what you’re sending, and what you’d need to do to make a claim. If you’re sending a lot of gold, it may make sense to split it into more than one package or ask about higher coverage.
Before you mail anything
- Know your melt value. Weigh each piece, note the karat stamp and use our gold calculator to work out what the gold is worth. Without this, you can’t judge the offer. See how to weigh gold at home.
- Photograph everything, including the stamps and the scale readings, and lay all the items out together in one photo before sealing the package.
- Make a written list of what’s inside, with weights.
- Keep the tracking number and any receipt from the shipper.
- Don’t send valuable coins or jewelry as scrap. Pre-1933 US gold coins, signed designer pieces and antique jewelry can be worth more than melt. See melt value vs collector value.
When the offer arrives
Compare the offer with your own melt value. Check that the buyer’s weight and karat match what you recorded. If their weight is lower or they’ve tested a piece as a lower karat, ask for the details for each item. Small differences in weight are normal if a piece had stones or non-gold parts, but large gaps deserve an explanation. See how to tell if a gold offer is fair.
It also helps to get one local offer first. Even if you sell by mail, a local quote gives you something to compare against.
Quick checklist
| Check | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Offer first or automatic payment | Decides whether you can say no before you’re paid |
| Days before melting | Your window to change your mind |
| Free, insured return | Protects you if you decline |
| Insurance limit on the way | Covers loss in transit |
| Your own photos, weights and melt value | Lets you check the offer |
These values are estimates, not financial advice. Buyers set their own prices and terms.
Last reviewed November 3, 2026. This guide is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice.