Proudly Canadian, Border Gold has over a quarter of a century’s worth of experience in the gold, silver, and precious metals bullion market. However, given that big name gold and silver suppliers have historically cornered the Canadian precious metals market, we were skeptical if Border Gold could live up to the standard set by its competitors.

In this review, we’ll go over everything you need to know about this Canadian gold supplier, and decide whether they are worth trusting to supply your retirement savings accounts.

Border Gold Customer Reviews & Ratings

Border Gold claims that client satisfaction is measured by longevity. The company claims to have clients that still buy and sell gold with them that have been with them for decades. Below we have combined customer ratings and reviews we have found on the internet regarding Border Gold.

• Better Business Bureau: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (A+)
• Trustpilot: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (4.8 based on 83 customer reviews)
• Sitejabber: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (4.9 based on 22 reviews)
• Facebook: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (4.7 based on 15 reviews)
• Shopper Approved: ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ ⭐ (4.8 based on 1,083 reviews)

Across all the reviews we have found online, we feel it is safe to say Border Gold is the real deal. They have a high level of customer satisfaction throughout their three-decade-long history. During which, they have successfully weathered all the bear and bull markets.

Border Gold History

Border Gold is located in White Rock, British Columbia, just six miles from the US border. The bullion dealer has shipping and receiving facilities on both sides of the border. The founder of Border Gold intentionally looked for this unique location. Since proximity to the border has allowed the firm to expand its business to clients from the United States as well as Canada.

Michael Levy, Founder

Border Gold was set up in 1994 by Michael Levy, who has been in the gold business since 1968. When Levy started his career the price of gold was still fixed, at $35 per ounce. He has witnessed many peaks and valleys throughout the past decades.

However, he is adamant in his belief that everyone should hold gold in their portfolio. He believes there are many reasons why we should all have a percentage of our investments in gold. Not only for investment purposes but also as a store of value and protection against other investments.

Border Gold Products & Services

The bullion dealer offers investment-grade coins and bars in the following precious metals:

• Gold 
• Silver
• Platinum
• Palladium 

Border Gold claims that its long-lasting tenure and experience as a precious metals dealer have led the organization to foster strong relationships with the Royal Canadian Mint and other large bullion distributors. The quality of these connections allows Border Gold to offer timely deliveries and competitive pricing of its products.

Gold

Border Gold’s offering in gold bullion comprises 16 coins and 7 bars. The weight of coins starts with 1/10th Oz. While the smallest gold bar weighs as little as 5 grams. All items seem competitively priced compared to the industry standard.

Coins come in four sizes, 1/10th Oz, ¼ Oz. ½ Oz, and 1 Oz. Some of their more notable pieces include the 1 Oz Canadian Gold Maple Leaf, and the 1 Oz Canadian Klondike Gold Rush. Both gold coins are of the highest purity at 0.9999.

The Klondike coin is priced slightly higher than the Maple Leaf. The slightly higher value is most likely due to numismatic interest in the coin which creates greater demand.

Source: Border Gold

The sizes for bars are more varied, as you can imagine. Sizes offered by Border Gold are 5 grams, 10 grams, 1 Oz, 5 Oz, 10 Oz, and 1 kilo. All their bars are made to the highest standards, and gold has the same value, you cannot add gold bars or coins from any mint to your RRSP or TFSA.

Gold bullion must be produced from the Canadian Mint or authorized mints if you want to purchase them for your RRSP or TFSA. Check with Border Gold if you are thinking of buying them through your retirement account, as they have a variety of refiners.

Your safest choice in this respect is the 1 Oz Royal Canadian Mint gold bar. The bar has 0.9999 purity and comes with a transparent plastic case to keep it clean and unsoiled. 

Source: Border Gold

Silver

The silver offering includes 9 1 Oz fine silver coins from various mints, a 2 Oz coin, and one 10 Oz coin. The most expensive silver coins are the 1 Oz American Eagle (Random Year) currently advertised at $31.01, and the 1 Oz American Eagle (Type2) currently advertised at $31.01.

Silver bar weights start as low as 1 Oz and go as high as 1,000 Oz. In between, they offer 10 Oz, 250 grams, 1 kilo, and 100 Oz. One of the most popular silver coins they have on offer is the 1 Oz Canadian Maple Leaf. 

This bullion coin has the same distinctive features as the gold coin, with the textured maple leaf on the reverse and the obverse showing the image of the queen of Britain.

Source: Border Gold

Platinum & Palladium

Platinum and palladium have a somewhat limited selection, although that might be appropriate for many precious metals investors who concentrate mostly on gold and silver. Border Gold currently offers four 1 Oz platinum coins and one 1 Oz platinum bar. For palladium investors, the bullion dealer sells one 1 Oz bar and coin.

Source: Border Gold

Discounts 

Some silver coins and bars come with a discount for bulk purchases. For example, silver coin discounts kick in with a purchase of 50. Further discount is applied when you buy 500 plus, and at 5,000 plus. 

You get discounts for bulk purchases with some gold products. 1 Oz Gold bars from the Canadian Mint get discounts for purchasing more than 9, the next discount for purchasing 50 plus, and then 100 hundred plus bars. 

You will also get a better price if you pay via bank wire or cheque as opposed to using credit card or PayPal.

Shipping

Border Gold handles all shipping requirements with the utmost discretion. All shipments are registered and fully insured. Your order is shipped once your funds have cleared, and Border Gold will provide tracking numbers. All packages are fully verified and packaged in unmarked parcels so as not to disclose the contents.

For Canadian clients, shipping and insurance have a flat fee of $30 CAD, orders are processed through FedEx, UPS, or Canada Post. Clients purchasing over $50,000 CAD have this shipping fee waived. For US clients the flat fee for shipping and insurance is $25 USD, again orders are shipped through FedEx, UPS, or USPC. Free shipping is also available for US clients for orders over $40,000 USD.

Brink’s Storage

Border Gold has partnered with Brink’s Inc., one of the world’s most renowned gold storage providers. Together they offer dedicated storage services for those investors looking to hold physical gold and other precious metals.

Brink’s offers dedicated storage services, all storage facilities are fully insured and provide guarded security. Border Gold claims its clients find these services to be a “professionally managed solution at a fair price”:

Highlights of the storage services offered at Border Gold include:

• Brink’s keeps your assets secure in their facilities to ensure protection
• Fully insured storage accounts
• Fully allocated private storage
• Uncapped room restrictions

RRSP or TFSA

You can invest in gold and other precious metals through a registered account. These accounts, such as TFSA, RRSP, and RESP allow you to take advantage of a tax-enhanced environment for your investments. 

Border Gold has linked with Questrade so you can process your trades with Border Gold seamlessly from the registered account you hold at Questrade. Once you set up a registered account with Questrade you can follow the steps to authorize Border Gold. 

You will need to open a Self-Directed account, as this type of account allows you to hold a variety of assets, including precious metals. After you have funded your Questrade account you can go over to Border Gold and purchase precious metals for your RRSP or TFSA. 

Fees & Fine Print

With Questrade you pay no account opening or closing fees. They do not charge annual fees for RRSPs or TFSAs either. However, you will pay commissions on the precious metals you buy, currently $19.95 per trade. Questrade will also charge you an inactivity fee of $19.95 per quarter for accounts under $5,000 with no activity.  

Border Gold’s prices in gold bullion are very competitive and for gold bars are around 4% or less, over the spot price. For gold coins the premium is slightly higher and depends greatly on collector value. However, they seem in line with the market average, and the bullion prices are very competitive compared to the industry average.

Selling Your Precious Metals

You may wonder what happens when you want to cash in some or all of your precious metals? Border Gold credits itself as a market maker and therefore makes prices for you to sell your precious metals as well as buy them.

You will need to call (1-888-312-2288) to get a quote for your gold and silver. Border Gold can also handle shipping requirements if you stored your gold personally. All shipments are made via registered and insured couriers.

Alternatively, if you may have stored your gold or precious metals with Border Gold’s storage partner, Brink’s. In this case, your gold or precious metals can be sold over the phone with no further requirements as Border Gold will take ownership at the current storage facility. 

Border Gold Headquarters & Store Location

Overall, we strongly recommend Border Gold for your next Canadian gold purchase. After all, nearly 30 years of customer service excellence and competitive pricing speaks for itself.

• 20-2215 160 Street
• Surrey, B.C.
• V3Z 9N6
• Canada

Open hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 am – 5:00 pm; Saturday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm    

Website: bordergold.com