Securing a Monthly Gold Supply: How Institutional Buyers Set Up Allocations

For refineries, large traders and serious investment buyers, the challenge is rarely a single purchase – it is consistency. Buying gold one deal at a time means renegotiating, re-verifying and re-scheduling every time. Securing a monthly gold supply through a structured allocation solves that: a written framework that sets out agreed volumes, schedules and terms, so each shipment runs smoothly instead of starting from scratch. This guide explains how institutional buyers set up allocations and what to expect.

It is written from the perspective of a licensed exporter that supplies gold from the DRC and Uganda. For the transaction fundamentals, start with our pillar guide on how to buy gold in Africa safely.

A note on availability: a responsible supplier does not guarantee fixed volumes in the abstract. Allocations are arranged by written agreement and are subject to confirmed availability for each period – any supplier promising unlimited guaranteed tonnage with no conditions should be treated with caution.

Spot purchase vs. allocation: what’s the difference?

A spot purchase is a one-off transaction: you agree a single order, complete it, and start again next time. An allocation is a recurring arrangement: a framework agreement under which the supplier sets aside an agreed volume on an agreed schedule (for example monthly), with the commercial and compliance terms established once and applied to each shipment. For buyers who need reliable, repeated supply, the allocation model removes friction and supports planning.

Why institutional buyers use allocations

• Reliability and planning. A scheduled supply lets you plan production, sales and cash flow with confidence.
• Less repeated friction. Individuals and companies may submit personal or company details, contact information, quantity, preferred purity, and a nominated refinery or delivery address. After acceptance of the purchase procedure, CRM sends an FCO for review and signature. The FCO and SPA confirm the order terms. Any additional requirements of the bank, nominated refinery or destination authority are handled separately; CRM does not list mandatory KYC onboarding as a purchase step.
• A genuine supplier relationship. Recurring volume builds a working relationship and priority handling.
• Consistent documentation and compliance. Every shipment follows the same verified, documented process.

How to set up a monthly gold supply allocation

1) Define your requirement

Specify the product and purity (22K, 23K or 24K), the volume per period, and your destination. Clarity here is the foundation of a workable allocation.

2) Agree the schedule

Set the cadence (e.g. monthly) and the delivery windows, along with how each period’s availability is confirmed in advance.

3) Establish the framework agreement

A written agreement sets out the recurring terms – specification, Incoterm (commonly CIP), documentation, settlement basis and review provisions – so each shipment operates under the same clear rules.

4) Confirm buyer details and applicable requirements

Provide personal or company contact details and agree how records are kept current. Confirm any bank, refinery and destination requirements applicable to each shipment.

5) Agree shipment and payment milestones

Record the deposit before shipment, its credit toward the final amount, testing, balance deadline and ownership transfer. Confirm the route, carrier, insurance and cost responsibilities for each shipment in the FCO/SPA.

6) Review and adjust

Allocations include review points so volumes and terms can be adjusted by mutual agreement as your needs change.

Compliance for recurring shipments

Recurring supply does not mean relaxed compliance – it means streamlined compliance. Individuals and companies may submit personal or company details, contact information, quantity, preferred purity, and a nominated refinery or delivery address. After acceptance of the purchase procedure, CRM sends an FCO for review and signature. The FCO and SPA confirm the order terms. Banks, refineries and destination authorities may have their own documentation requirements. This consistency is exactly what banks and your own auditors want to see across a recurring relationship. See our gold export procedure guide for the documentation behind each shipment.

What to expect – and what to ask

• A written framework, not a verbal promise – everything material in the agreement.
• Period-by-period confirmation of availability, rather than blanket guarantees.
• Consistent documentation and settlement on refinery assay each shipment.
• A verifiable, licensed counterparty – see our guide on identifying a legitimate, licensed DRC exporter.
• Clear review and exit terms so the arrangement can adapt.

How Congo Rare Minerals structures allocations

Discuss your recurring quantity and schedule with CRM. Availability and the written commercial terms are confirmed for each agreed period.

For purchases of 5 kg and above, submit personal or company details, quantity, purity and nominated refinery or delivery address. After you accept the procedure, CRM sends an FCO for review and signature. A 10% deposit of the agreed purchase value is required before shipment and credited toward the final amount. CRM then coordinates export documentation and transportation. At the refinery, the final balance uses the agreed price and confirmed weight and purity, less the deposit, and is due within 24 hours of assay confirmation. Client-address testing and payment timing follow the FCO/SPA. Ownership transfers after final payment. Testing purchases from 100 g to 4 kg in 23K or 24K have separately agreed terms. Accepted payment methods are SWIFT, USDT on TRC20 or ERC20, and BTC. Read the current purchase procedure.

Frequently asked questions

What is a gold allocation?

A gold allocation is a recurring supply arrangement under a written framework agreement, where the supplier sets aside an agreed volume on an agreed schedule with terms established once and applied to each shipment – subject to confirmed availability per period.

How is an allocation different from a one-off purchase?

A one-off (spot) purchase is a single transaction renegotiated each time. An allocation establishes recurring volumes, schedule and terms in advance, so each shipment runs without starting from scratch.

Can a supplier guarantee a fixed monthly tonnage?

A responsible supplier arranges allocations by written agreement with availability confirmed for each period, rather than promising unlimited guaranteed tonnage with no conditions. Be cautious of blanket guarantees.

Do I complete KYC for every shipment in an allocation?

Confirm the requirements of your supplier, bank, refinery and destination for each shipment. CRM accepts enquiries from individuals and companies; provide your personal or company contact details and agree the applicable requirements for the order.

How is each shipment in an allocation settled?

Each shipment follows its written FCO/SPA. For CRM purchases of 5 kg and above, a 10% deposit is paid before shipment and credited toward the final amount. The refinery balance is due within 24 hours of assay confirmation, based on the agreed price and confirmed weight and purity. Client-address delivery and testing quantities have separately agreed terms.

How do I set up a monthly gold supply with Congo Rare Minerals?

Send personal or company details, product, purity, recurring volume, schedule and nominated refinery or delivery address. CRM confirms availability and terms for the period. After procedure acceptance, CRM sends an FCO for review and signature.