Is it safe to post gold? How selling gold by post works

The short answer

That last point matters most. A safe transaction is not just about the post. It is about who is at the other end. The rest of this page walks through both: the postal mechanics, and how GoldPaid is set up so you never have to post blindly.

You can ask before you post anything

The single biggest reassurance is also the simplest: you do not have to commit to anything to start. Send a photo on WhatsApp or call, tell us roughly what you have, and you will get a quick indicative figure and answers to any questions, before a label is even requested, let alone a parcel sent.

Nothing leaves your hands until you decide it should. There is no pressure, no countdown, and no obligation. If you are not comfortable, you do not post.

How the postal cover works

Items are sent on Royal Mail Special Delivery Guaranteed, fully tracked and signed for, the service jewellers and dealers use routinely. The compensation cover that applies depends on the Special Delivery service level used, so GoldPaid confirms the right cover level with you before you post, and arranges a suitable approach for higher-value parcels.

Two things keep you protected: keep your Post Office receipt (it carries the tracking number and is your proof of postage for any claim), and ask first if you are unsure what cover level suits what you are sending. The full detail is on postage and insurance.

What happens once your parcel arrives

Your consignment is logged on arrival against a unique reference. Every item is weighed on calibrated scales and tested by XRF spectrometry, a non-destructive method that reads the true metal content, with no acid and no scratching. You then receive a clear, written, itemised offer showing the purity, weight, rate and figure for each piece.

You can see exactly how this works on how we handle your parcel, XRF testing explained and how we value gold.

What happens if you decline

There is never any obligation to accept. If the written offer is not for you, you simply decline, and GoldPaid returns everything to you free of charge by tracked, signed-for Royal Mail post. No fee, no follow-up pressure. You only ever commit at the point you explicitly accept. The full return process is on what happens if I decline the offer.

How to post gold safely, a practical checklist

• Photograph your items first. A quick photo of everything before you pack it is your own record.
• Wrap each piece individually in tissue or bubble wrap so nothing moves or scratches in transit.
• Use a small rigid box or padded envelope and seal every edge with strong tape.
• Keep the packaging plain. No mention of the contents anywhere on the outside.
• Use Royal Mail Special Delivery, the prepaid label GoldPaid sends is exactly this service.
• Keep your Post Office receipt with the tracking number until you have been paid. It is your proof of postage.

How to judge any postal gold buyer, not just us

Safety is also about choosing well. Whoever you consider, look for:

• A buyer who lets you ask questions and send photos first. No pressure to commit blind.
• A clear, written no-obligation offer you see before any money changes hands.
• A stated, free returns policy if you decline, and clarity on how items come back.
• A transparent testing and valuation method, not a vague “we’ll let you know”.
• Tracked, signed-for postage and clear guidance on proof of postage and cover.
• Honest language, be wary of fake urgency, “guaranteed highest price” claims, and pressure tactics.

GoldPaid is built around every one of these. See postal versus high street for how the postal route compares, and what we buy for what you can send.

Read more before you decide

Common questions