Bullion sales tax · South Carolina
South Carolina sales tax on gold and silver
Is gold taxed in South Carolina?
No.
South Carolina charges no sales tax on gold, silver or platinum bullion, any coin that is or was legal tender, or currency, but palladium bars and rounds are taxable.
Palladium bars and rounds are taxed.
- Investment gold & silver
- Tax-free
- Order threshold
- None
- Metals covered
- Gold, silver and platinum; not palladium
- Jewelry
- Taxed · about 7.49%
What's taxed in South Carolina
| What you're buying | Sales tax | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Gold and silver bars and rounds | No sales tax | No sales tax in South Carolina, whatever the order size. |
| Gold and silver bullion coins (Eagles, Maple Leafs, Krugerrands) | No sales tax | No sales tax in South Carolina, whatever the order size. |
| Platinum bars and rounds | No sales tax | No sales tax in South Carolina, whatever the order size. |
| Palladium bars and rounds | Sales tax applies | South Carolina's exemption doesn't cover palladium bars, so they are taxed. |
| Platinum and palladium coins (Eagles, Maple Leafs) | No sales tax | No sales tax in South Carolina, whatever the order size. |
| Rare and graded (numismatic) coins | Depends on the item | Depends on the coin and how it is priced; see the rule below. |
| Jewelry | Sales tax applies | Taxed like other goods in South Carolina. |
| Medals, collectibles and accessories | Sales tax applies | Taxed like other goods in South Carolina. |
The rule, in plain English
South Carolina charges no sales tax on gold, silver or platinum bullion, any coin that is or was legal tender, or currency, but palladium bars and rounds are taxable.
What counts: The statute does not define 'bullion' (no purity or pricing test). Coins qualify if they 'are or have been legal tender in the United States or other jurisdiction'. 'Currency' is exempt without qualification. Retailers must keep documentation, prescribed by the Department, that identifies each exempt sale.
Still taxed: Palladium bars and rounds; jewelry; non-legal-tender medals, tokens and collectibles that are not gold, silver or platinum bullion; accessories.
What you would pay: three South Carolina examples
| Purchase delivered to South Carolina | Sales tax |
|---|---|
| Silver coins, $500 | $0 exempt investment bullion |
| Gold coins, $5,000 | $0 exempt investment bullion |
| A gold necklace, $1,000 | about $75 jewelry is taxed |
Using South Carolina's 6% state rate plus the average local rate, 7.49% combined (Tax Foundation, January 2026). Your city or county rate may be higher or lower.
South Carolina and its neighbors
- Georgia Tax-free
- North Carolina Tax-free
All of South Carolina's neighbors treat investment bullion the same way.
Buying from Bullion Trading LLC with delivery to South Carolina
No sales tax is added at our checkout for bullion delivered to South Carolina.
Orders ship insured and discreetly packed: USPS under $1,000, FedEx with adult signature from $1,000, usually within 2–3 business days after payment clears. Bank transfer and check are our best price; card and PayPal add 5% (up to $7,500).
Tax-free in South Carolina: popular coins and bars
The large price is the check/wire price; the card/PayPal price is listed under it. Prices follow the live spot price.
Selling gold in South Carolina
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. South Carolina deducts 44% of long-term capital gains.
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
Per the SC DOR manual, everything exempt under 12-36-2120 is also exempt from the local sales and use taxes the Department collects (the only exception is unprepared food), so the bullion exemption carries through to local option taxes.
Common questions about South Carolina
Is gold taxed in South Carolina?
No. South Carolina charges no sales tax on gold, silver or platinum bullion, any coin that is or was legal tender, or currency, but palladium bars and rounds are taxable.
Is silver taxed in South Carolina?
No. Investment silver bullion and coins are exempt from sales tax in South Carolina.
Is gold jewelry taxed in South Carolina?
Yes. Jewelry is taxed like other goods in South Carolina (about 7.49% on average with local tax), even when it is made of gold, silver or platinum.
Do I pay tax when I sell gold in South Carolina?
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. South Carolina deducts 44% of long-term capital gains.
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
- S.C. Code Ann. § 12-36-2120(70) — Sales tax exemption: gold, silver or platinum bullion; legal tender coins; currency (checked October 19, 2026)
- SC Dept. of Revenue, Sales and Use Tax Manual, Chapter 9 - Exemptions (September 2025) — 12-36-2120(70): Gold, silver or platinum bullion or any combination; coins that are or have been legal tender; and currency (checked October 19, 2026)
- SC Dept. of Revenue, Sales and Use Tax Manual (full), local tax note — Sales exempt under 12-36-2120 are exempt from DOR-administered local sales and use taxes (except unprepared food) (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)
- Information about H.4216 (South Carolina Department of Revenue)
- IRS Topic 409: capital gains and losses (collectibles rate)
How we research and check this guide: our method.