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CA
Sales Tax on Bullion in California
What this means for you
In California, qualifying bullion and coin orders are tax-free if your order total is at least $2,000. Smaller orders, jewelry, and collectibles are taxed normally.
Order minimum to qualify
$2,000+
Your order has to reach this for the exemption to apply.
Local taxes
May still apply
Some cities or counties charge their own rate.
Status
$2,000 rule in force
Here's how each kind of item is treated in this state. Tap a row to read the plain-English note.
| What you're buying | Sales tax? | What that means |
|---|---|---|
| Bullion Bars | Depends on the order | Tax-free if your order total is at least $2,000 and the items qualify. Smaller orders are taxed. |
| Bullion Coins | Depends on the order | Tax-free if your order total is at least $2,000 and the items qualify. Smaller orders are taxed. |
| Bullion Rounds | Depends on the order | Tax-free if your order total is at least $2,000 and the items qualify. Smaller orders are taxed. |
| Legal-Tender Coins | Depends on the order | Tax-free if your order total is at least $2,000 and the items qualify. Smaller orders are taxed. |
| Numismatic Coins | Depends on the order | Tax-free if your order total is at least $2,000 and the items qualify. Smaller orders are taxed. |
| Jewelry | Sales tax applies | Standard California sales tax applies at checkout. |
| Industrial Precious Metal | Sales tax applies | Standard California sales tax applies at checkout. |
| Collectibles (Non-Coin) | Sales tax applies | Standard California sales tax applies at checkout. |
| Paper Currency | Sales tax applies | Standard California sales tax applies at checkout. |
| Accessories | Sales tax applies | Standard California sales tax applies at checkout. |
- What's covered by the exemption
- Investment bullion and qualifying coins, but only on "bulk" orders — a single invoice of $2,000 or more.
- How they decide what counts as bullion
- The order has to be a "bulk" transaction — a single invoice of $2,000 or more — that resembles a commodity-style purchase. Ordinary retail purchases of coins or bars below that threshold do not qualify.
- What's NOT covered
- Sales under $2,000, jewelry, fabricated industrial metal, and most everyday retail coin purchases.
Even when the state-level rule is clear, cities or counties in this state may charge their own tax. Here's what to expect.
- Local treatment
- Local district taxes follow CDTFA rule; invoice control matters
