The chatter you may have heard about Costco selling gold bars isn’t a rumor. In October 2023, Costco put one-ounce gold bars up for sale on its website, and members have snapped them up within hours of a new shipment arriving every month since.
If you’ve been thinking about investing in precious metals, buying gold bars from Costco might be a good way to start. But first, you’ll have to learn how. This article offers a complete rundown of how to buy gold bars from Costco.
Why Buy Gold Bars From Costco?
Buying gold bars from Costco can provide several notable benefits, including a low premium, convenience, a sense of ease and confidence in the vendor. The gold bars for sale at Costco are marked about 2%–3% over the spot price of gold, undercutting the premium charged by traditional gold dealers, who mark up gold prices between 1% and 30%. In other words, you’re getting a good deal on the purchase.
If you’re already a Costco member, you can order gold directly from the wholesale store’s website or in-store if you live near a warehouse that offers Costco gold bars along with your pickup of Kirkland signature thick-sliced bacon.
Buying gold from Costco can also help calm your mind about the direction of the economy. Gold, silver, and platinum can be safe havens for investors when uncertainty looms over the economy. Investors often diversify their investment portfolios with gold as a hedge against inflation.
Another big benefit, especially if you’re making your first purchase of gold, is that Costco is a business consumers know and trust. Since you don’t have to worry about Costco’s reputation as an international brand, you won’t have concerns about the authenticity of your gold.
How to Purchase Gold Bars From Costco — Step-by-Step Guide
As it turns out, you can get almost anything from a big-box club warehouse. Here’s everything you need to know about how to buy gold bars from Costco.
Visit the Costco Website or Store
You can purchase Costco gold bars from the comfort of your couch while watching business news on TV and checking the spot price of gold on your phone. Or, if it’s time for your weekly or monthly trip to Costco, you can pick up one to five bars along with your eggs, pajama pants and new 77-inch flatscreen television.
If you’re searching for gold online, here’s how to find the gold bars and other precious metals Costco sells:
- Head to Costco.com
- Click the “Shop” tab at the top of the page
- Scroll down to “Jewelry, Watches & Sunglasses”
- Click on “Precious Metals”
If you don’t see any gold bars for sale on the “Precious Metals” page, you may need to clear your filters to allow delivery-only and out-of-stock items to show. You’ll also notice that it says “Members Only.”
Check the Membership Requirements
Costco only sells gold bars and other precious metals to members. If you’re not a club member, you can join to purchase gold bars and other members-only items. Remember, however, to add the cost of membership to your gold spending and understand its impact on your total investment cost and potential return.
Costco has two levels of individual membership: Gold Star and Executive. A Gold Star membership costs $65 plus taxes annually, and an Executive membership costs $130 plus taxes per year. A business membership costs the same as a Gold Star membership.
Select the Desired Gold Bar
Since the company started selling gold bars, Costco has expanded its offerings beyond a single bar size and products from one refinery. If the filters on your page are clear, you should see multiple items, including:
- 1 oz Gold Bar PAMP Suisse Lady Fortuna
- 1 oz Gold Bar Rand Refinery
- 2025 1 oz American Eagle Silver Coin, 20-count
- 100 Gram Gold Bar Rand Refinery
- 2024 1 oz PAMP American Buffalo Silver Round, 20-count
- 1 oz Platinum Bar PAMP Suisse Lady Fortuna
- 10 Gram Argor Heraeus Goldseed
Because Costco.com automatically populates items from the warehouse closest to you, the specific options you see displayed may vary based on the current availability in your location. Simply select the bar, coin or goldseed (a package of 10 one-gram gold bars) you want, and a page for ordering your precious metal should appear.
Place Your Order
You must be signed into the website to see the price. However, the page will display photos of the precious metals for sale, full product descriptions, specific information about different bars and coins, shipping and return policies and reviews.
You can choose the number of gold bars you want if you’re signed in. Costco limits sales to one transaction per member and five units per day. Add your gold bar to your cart by clicking “Add to Cart.” This will pull up a splash window with the options to continue shopping or view your cart. Click “View Cart,” then “Checkout.”
Complete the Payment
Once you click the green “Checkout” bar, you’ll be taken to the checkout page, where you can enter your information, select a payment option and choose your preferred shipping method. Click “Continue to Payment” to finalize your purchase.
Note that it may take three to five business days from the time you place your order for your gold bars to arrive.
Invest in Gold Through a Gold IRA
If you want to take the hassle out of investing in and storing gold bars, consider investing in gold through an IRA.
Costco Gold vs. Gold Investing Companies
Buying gold from Costco offers convenience, competitive pricing, and the trust of a reputable retailer, making it an appealing option for those looking to physically own gold bars or coins. However, it lacks the services and expertise that specialized gold investing companies provide—such as secure storage options, gold IRAs, portfolio diversification guidance, and buyback programs. Gold investing companies are better suited for long-term investors seeking strategic wealth preservation, tax advantages, and more flexibility in managing their holdings. Ultimately, Costco is ideal for straightforward purchases, while gold investment firms offer more robust solutions for serious investors.
Consider Whether Gold Bars From Costco Are Right for You
Now that you know how to buy gold bars from Costco, it’s up to you to decide whether they’re the right fit for your investment goals. For investors seeking a simple, direct way to acquire physical gold, Costco offers convenience, competitive pricing, and the backing of a trusted retail brand.
However, it’s important to weigh this option against other forms of gold investing, such as working with specialized gold investment companies that offer services like secure storage, gold-backed IRAs and personalized investment strategies.
Before making a purchase, consider factors like your long-term financial objectives, how you plan to store or insure the gold, and whether you’re seeking diversification or a hedge against market volatility. If Costco’s approach aligns with your needs, it could be an accessible way to start or expand your precious metals holdings.
Frequently Asked Questions
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You can purchase gold bars from Costco online or at designated warehouses where available. The wholesale giant began selling gold bars in October 2023 and has since added several more precious metals in various forms to its website.
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Yes. The IRS classifies gold as a collectible, which means you must pay a capital gains tax if you sell your Costco gold bars for a profit. The sale is taxed at the same rate as your ordinary income, with a maximum of 28% for capital gains.
Another matter to consider is that a capital loss on a collectible can only be netted against a capital gain on a collectible in the same year, not other capital gains.
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Most of Costco’s gold bars sell out nearly as fast as it receives shipments. However, the company sells gold bars to members online and in stores every day, with a limit of up to five bars per transaction per day. Precious metals can be shipped within three to five business days to a nearby warehouse or your home with insurance through UPS.
