Frequently Asked Questions

We accept gold and silver bullion, loose and certified diamonds, fine art and collectibles, and other high-value physical assets. Each asset category is assigned to a purpose-built storage class — high-security vault, climate-controlled chamber, or bonded logistics bay — appropriate to its conservation and security needs.

Yes. KaratShield serves clients globally and does not require a bank account in the country where you store assets. Standard KYC/AML documentation is required regardless of jurisdiction.

Contact our team to begin an enquiry. We'll guide you through identity verification, source-of-funds documentation, and facility selection, typically completing account setup within a few business days.

Yes. Every deposit is automatically covered under our master policy, underwritten by one of the world's top 10 banking institutions for up to USD 2 Billion in aggregate coverage, at no additional charge unless supplemental coverage is requested.

All client assets are held in trust, individually titled, and are never commingled with company assets or used as collateral. They remain fully retrievable by the client or their estate under all circumstances, independent of KaratShield's corporate status.

We require government-issued identification, proof of address, and source-of-funds documentation in line with FATF and applicable local regulations (including Canadian FINTRAC requirements for our Toronto facility) before any deposit account is activated.

Yes. Account holders may schedule 24/7 vault access by appointment. Standard walk-in hours are Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM ET.

Our offices are open Monday–Friday, 9:00 AM–6:00 PM ET, and Saturday by appointment. We are closed Sundays. Vault access for account holders is available 24/7 by pre-scheduled appointment.

Yes, with written authorization. You may designate an authorized representative in advance; they will need to complete their own identity verification before being granted access.

Fees are based on asset category, declared value, storage class, and facility. We provide a written fee schedule before any account is opened, with no hidden charges.

We accept wire transfer, and for select accounts, direct debit. For security and audit reasons, we do not accept cash payments at any facility.

Most accounts are structured on a 12-month renewable term, though shorter arrangements can be accommodated for specific circumstances — speak with our team about your timeline.

Yes. Many clients split holdings across two or more of our five facilities to diversify jurisdictional and political risk — a strategy our team can help structure.

Our Zurich, Singapore, and Dubai facilities operate within recognized freeport or Free Trade Zones, allowing eligible assets to be stored and traded without triggering import duty or VAT until the asset formally leaves the zone. Speak with our team about your specific jurisdiction.

Yes. Every KaratShield facility operates under FATF-aligned KYC/AML procedures, and our practices are independently reviewed as part of our ISO 27001 and LBMA-affiliated certifications.