If you expect your gold to move across borders and fetch tight bids, the standard on the bar matters. The global reference is LBMA Good Delivery. Many African refineries operate to strong local standards, but not all are on the LBMA list. Here is what that means for exports, pricing, and paperwork.
The short version
- LBMA Good Delivery (GD) is the global benchmark for wholesale bars. It signals consistent purity, weight, markings, and audit controls.
- Regional bars that are not GD can still be sold, but many international buyers will request re-assay or recast at an LBMA-accredited refinery.
- Best practice when exporting from Africa is to plan the chain of custody early, including testing, documents, and a path to LBMA acceptance if needed.
What “LBMA Good Delivery” means
The London Bullion Market Association maintains rules for bars accepted in the global wholesale market. See the LBMA Good Delivery Rules and the current Good Delivery List.
Core specifications (gold):
| Item | LBMA Good Delivery baseline |
|---|---|
| Mass | About 350–430 troy ounces (often called “400 oz”) |
| Fineness | Minimum 995.0 parts per thousand |
| Markings | Serial number, refiner’s stamp, fineness, year |
| Assay | By accredited labs with documented methods |
| Oversight | Regular audits, Proactive Monitoring, incident reporting |
LBMA acceptance is about process as much as the bar. It covers refinery competency, responsible sourcing controls, and ongoing surveillance.
How regional refinery standards differ
Many regional refineries in Africa produce excellent bars and minted products aimed at local or regional trade. Differences you may see:
| Area | Typical regional practice |
|---|---|
| Sizes | Wider variety: 1 g to 1 kg minted, 250 g to 1 kg cast |
| Fineness | Often 999.0 or 999.9 for retail bars |
| Markings | Local serial formats, domestic language, national assay marks |
| Assurance | Testing may be in-house or by local labs not on LBMA lists |
| Market fit | Retail, jewelry, domestic wholesale, regional exports |
These products can be perfect for retail or regional buyers. For intercontinental wholesale settlement, many counterparties still want LBMA GD provenance or a clear route to it.
Why the standard affects price and liquidity
- Tighter bids. Bars that meet LBMA GD, or can be traced and re-assayed quickly at an accredited refinery, often command better bids and faster settlement.
- Lower friction. Fewer questions at customs and at vault intake.
- Financing. Collateral and repo desks often reference LBMA GD rules.
Exporting from Africa: the clean path
1) Map your route before you buy
Decide whether the end buyer requires GD bars, retail bars, or a mix. If GD is required, plan either to source from an LBMA-listed refinery or to recast at one after export.
2) Build the document pack
Keep these together from day one:
- Pro-forma and final invoice
- Certificate of origin (where applicable)
- Assay report or card
- Serial-numbered bar list for cast bars
- Export permits, royalty receipts, customs declaration
- Insurance and airway bill
3) Test before shipment
Use independent verification to avoid disputes on arrival. We can arrange Lab Testing and support independent checks via Refining.
4) Responsible sourcing files
Maintain due diligence that aligns with the OECD Due Diligence Guidance and your own policy. Our approach is outlined on Responsible Mining.
5) Choose the right unit mix
- For wholesale transfers or vaulting: 400 oz GD bars or 1 kg cast bars destined for recast at an LBMA refinery.
- For retail or phased resale: 1 oz coins and 100–250 g bars with complete paperwork.
Three workable routes to global liquidity
Route A. Source directly from an LBMA-listed refinery
Easiest for wholesale settlement. Verify the refinery against the Good Delivery List and keep all serials and certificates.
Route B. Export regional bars, then re-assay or recast at an LBMA refinery
Useful when supply starts locally. Expect intake and processing fees and allow time for assay. Keep chain-of-custody intact from mine to refinery.
Route C. Sell retail-grade bars and coins to private clients
Focus on recognized sizes and clean documents. This path does not require GD, but you still benefit from strong testing and provenance.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Labeling a non-listed refinery’s bar as “Good Delivery.” Only LBMA-listed refiners produce LBMA GD bars.
- Shipping large bars without a plan for verification at destination.
- Incomplete paperwork at export, which slows customs and depresses bids.
- Odd sizes that private buyers do not recognize.
Quick buyer checklist
- Purpose: wholesale, retail, or mixed
- Standard: LBMA GD now, later via recast, or not required
- Unit sizes: 1 oz, 100 g, 250 g, 1 kg, or 400 oz
- Verification: independent tests booked and documented
- Compliance: due diligence aligned to OECD, contracts and permits in file
How Congo Rare Minerals helps
- We supply 22K and 24K products starting from 100 g, and we support shipments for both retail and wholesale channels.
- We coordinate independent testing and, where required, introductions for re-assay or recast at LBMA-listed facilities.
- Every shipment includes a clean document pack that supports export, insurance, and future resale.
- For availability, pricing, and export timelines, contact our team via Contact, or browse current products on Shop.
FAQ
Do I need LBMA Good Delivery to export from Africa
Not always. Retail bars and coins trade well with the right documents. For wholesale settlement in major hubs, plan for GD or for recast at an LBMA-listed refinery.
Can a regional bar become LBMA Good Delivery later
A bar itself does not become GD after the fact. The usual route is to re-assay and recast at an LBMA-listed refinery so the new bar carries the listed refiner’s stamp and paperwork.
What purity should I target for retail bars
999.9 is common for minted retail bars. For wholesale GD, the minimum is 995.0, with strict process and audit controls.
Which documents matter most at customs
Invoice, certificate of origin where applicable, export permits, royalty receipts, assay, serial bar list, insurance, and airway bill. Keep digital copies backed up.