AU Fast Track Trial Protocol
The full trial consignment procedure.
This procedure governs trial consignments of 10 kg or less of gold doré or nuggets from African sellers. It is not varied for a trial under any circumstances. It is reproduced here in full, reorganised for clarity; nothing in the substance is changed from the terms issued by our legal department.
The seller signs a contract issued by our legal department. This contract sets out the trial terms in full, including the LBMA less 7.99% discount and the costs carried by each party. No trial consignment proceeds without a signed contract.
The seller provides chain of supply and know-your-customer information. Refinery approval is obtained for every new supplier before a first consignment moves. For a consignment of non-criminal origin not involving child labour, this process is straightforward; we have expertise in presenting files from most gold-producing countries, including those historically regarded as difficult.
Trials of 10 kg or less require only minimal documentation: the signed contract, basic seller identification, and the consignment documents described below.
Minimal documentation on trialsThe consignment is shipped direct to the refinery via Frankfurt or Leipzig airport, either by hand carry or through a freight forwarder. A copy of the Master Airway Bill is required as soon as it is available, to allow the refinery and clearing agent to prepare for arrival.
A refinery-accredited clearing agent handles German customs on arrival. A German security company then provides armoured transport from the airport to the refinery. Both are on the buyer's account.
Buyer's accountThe refinery runs preliminary tests, then smelts and assays the consignment. A copy of the assay report is sent to both buyer and seller, normally within 24 to 48 hours of arrival. Testing and assay costs are on the buyer's account.
Buyer's accountPayment is made through our metals account trustee in Germany to the seller's nominated bank account, normally within one banking day of the refinery report, at LBMA less 7.99% on trial consignments.
Within one banking dayWhat we do not do
- No diplomatic couriers, no private jets.
- No SBLC or MT760 instruments on trial consignments.
- No prefunding on trial consignments. A contribution to logistics costs may be considered case by case through private finance.
- The buyer never has access to or handles the consignment: the refinery and its accredited staff only.
Beyond the trial
- Larger volumes welcome on subsequent deliveries, as per contract.
- Financial instruments available on subsequent consignments, price and discount negotiated per proposal.
- Prefunding of export charges possible on mutually agreed terms.
- For large volumes, we can assist in opening a direct refinery metals account, or use our own metals accounts.
- Where appropriate, assistance to increase production in return for an offtake arrangement.
Travelling with your consignment
- Sellers or their representatives are welcome to travel with the consignment. Admission to the refinery is at the refinery management's discretion.
- Send in advance a certified copy of the passport and a certified local police clearance certificate.
- A business visa for Germany and health insurance are the seller's responsibility. All metal must be declared at German customs; do not travel on a tourist visa.
- We provide visa support letters recognised by many German embassies in Africa as proof of purpose of visit, and can arrange for a Europe-based relative or associate to attend in the seller's place.
- We normally arrange for the seller to be met at Frankfurt (about two hours from the refinery) or Leipzig (about one hour) and driven to the refinery.
Commissions and introducers
Any approved representative involved in the introduction must be included in the commission arrangement.
Chain of supply compliance
KYC clearance is required by refineries, banks and security logistics companies. For a consignment of non-criminal origin not involving child labour the process is straightforward. We have expertise in presenting files from most gold-producing countries, including those historically regarded as difficult. On trials of 10 kg or under, minimal documentation is required.