Bullion sales tax · Hawaii
Hawaii sales tax on gold and silver
Is gold taxed in Hawaii?
Yes.
Hawaii has no bullion exemption: its 4% general excise tax (4.5% with the county surcharge) applies to sales of bullion, coins, and jewelry.
- Investment gold & silver
- Taxable
- Order threshold
- None
- Metals covered
- None exempt
- Jewelry
- Taxed · about 4.5%
What's taxed in Hawaii
| What you're buying | Sales tax | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Gold and silver bars and rounds | Sales tax applies | Taxed like other goods in Hawaii. |
| Gold and silver bullion coins (Eagles, Maple Leafs, Krugerrands) | Sales tax applies | Taxed like other goods in Hawaii. |
| Platinum and palladium bullion (bars, rounds and coins) | Sales tax applies | Taxed like other goods in Hawaii. |
| Rare and graded (numismatic) coins | Sales tax applies | Taxed like other goods in Hawaii. |
| Jewelry | Sales tax applies | Taxed like other goods in Hawaii. |
| Medals, collectibles and accessories | Sales tax applies | Taxed like other goods in Hawaii. |
The rule, in plain English
Hawaii has no bullion exemption: its 4% general excise tax (4.5% with the county surcharge) applies to sales of bullion, coins, and jewelry.
What counts: None. There is no bullion or coin exemption in the General Excise Tax law.
Still taxed: All retail sales of bullion, coins, rounds, numismatic coins, jewelry and accessories are subject to the GET at the 4% retail rate plus the 0.5% county surcharge.
What you would pay: three Hawaii examples
| Purchase delivered to Hawaii | Sales tax |
|---|---|
| Silver coins, $500 | about $23 taxed like other goods |
| Gold coins, $5,000 | about $225 taxed like other goods |
| A gold necklace, $1,000 | about $45 jewelry is taxed |
Using Hawaii's 4% state rate plus the average local rate, 4.5% combined (Tax Foundation, January 2026). Your city or county rate may be higher or lower.
Hawaii and the nearest states
- California Tax-free on orders $2,000 or more
Different rules next door: California (tax-free on orders $2,000 or more). Tax follows the delivery address, not where you live.
Buying from Bullion Trading LLC with delivery to Hawaii
We don't ship to Hawaii through the website. Call 646 362 3536 and we'll arrange delivery with you.
Selling gold in Hawaii
Selling gold to a dealer is not a retail purchase, so no sales tax applies. A profit is a capital gain: the IRS taxes gains on gold and silver bullion as collectibles, at up to 28% when held more than a year. Hawaii caps its tax on long-term gains, collectibles included, at 7.25%.
Dealers have to report some larger sales to the IRS on Form 1099-B; keep your purchase receipts to show your cost.
We buy bullion at our counter at 20 West 47th Street in New York: walk in with a photo ID and we pay by same-day check. How selling to us works
Local taxes
All four counties (Honolulu, Kauai, Maui, Hawaii) levy a 0.5% surcharge on the 4% rate, making 4.5%. The GET is legally on the seller but is customarily passed on to the buyer.
Common questions about Hawaii
Is gold taxed in Hawaii?
Yes. Hawaii has no bullion exemption: its 4% general excise tax (4.5% with the county surcharge) applies to sales of bullion, coins, and jewelry.
Is silver taxed in Hawaii?
Yes. Hawaii taxes silver bullion and coins like other goods.
Is gold jewelry taxed in Hawaii?
Yes. Jewelry is taxed like other goods in Hawaii (about 4.5% on average with local tax), even when it is made of gold, silver or platinum.
Do I pay tax when I sell gold in Hawaii?
Selling gold to a dealer is not a retail purchase, so no sales tax applies. A profit is a capital gain: the IRS taxes gains on gold and silver bullion as collectibles, at up to 28% when held more than a year. Hawaii caps its tax on long-term gains, collectibles included, at 7.25%.
Selling to a dealer
No sales tax
A gain on the sale
Taxed by the IRS as a collectible, up to 28% when held more than a year
Sources
- HRS § 237-13 — General excise tax imposed on businesses (sales of tangible personal property at 4%) (checked October 19, 2026)
- Hawaii Dept. of Taxation, General Excise Tax (GET) information page — GET assessed on all business activities; 4% rate; 0.5% county surcharge (checked October 19, 2026)
- State and Local Sales Tax Rates, 2026 (table: State & Local Sales Tax Rates as of January 1, 2026) (Tax Foundation)
- 2026 Sales Tax Rates, Midyear Update (rates as of July 1, 2026) (Tax Foundation)
- Form N-11 Instructions 2025 (Tax on Capital Gains Worksheet) (Hawaii Department of Taxation)
- IRS Topic 409: capital gains and losses (collectibles rate)
How we research and check this guide: our method.