On this page14 sections
- Ratings and complaints
- US Gold Bureau vs. competitors
- Pricing
- Step by step
- U.S. Gold Bureau legitimacy and licensing
- U.S. Gold Bureau prices and fees
- The Texas Bullion Depository connection
- Selling metals back to U.S. Gold Bureau
- Complaints and how to avoid problems
- Rules that protect you
- Who should skip U.S. Gold Bureau
- What customers say
- Alternatives
- FAQ
U.S. Gold Bureau is a legitimate private dealer: USGB, LLC has sold since 2003, is BBB accredited with an A+ rating and 18 complaints in three years, and scores 4.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot. Despite the name, it has no tie to the U.S. government. Its edge is storage, because its parent, Lone Star Tangible Assets, operates the state-administered Texas Bullion Depository. The main risk is product choice: bullion is final sale and bought back near spot, but its graded Investment Grade and proof coins carry high markups, and its own consignment program takes 18% when you sell them.
Your options
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US Gold Bureau This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. This review Buyers who want bullion from an established Texas dealer and like the idea of state-administered storage at the Texas Bullion Depository.
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Augusta Precious Metals This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. Alternative Savers with $50,000 or more who have decided they want physical gold or silver in a self-directed IRA and want a dealer to handle the paperwork.
- Company
- USGB, LLC doing business as United States Gold Bureau, Leander, Texas; founded 2003, new ownership in 2008; owned by Lone Star Tangible Assets, LP1
- Government link
- None. USGB states it is a private distributor and not affiliated with the U.S. government4
- Storage
- Texas Bullion Depository, created by the Texas Legislature and overseen by the Texas Comptroller; Lone Star Tangible Assets operates it5
- Storage fees
- 0.49% a year under $500,000, 0.44% to $1 million, 0.39% to $2.5 million, 0.34% to $5 million; $25 a quarter minimum; no setup or withdrawal fee (from April 1, 2026)6
- Returns
- Bullion sales are final; Investment Grade Coins have a 30-day inspection return for a product refund; proof coins and special orders are final2
- Cancellation
- Orders can be cancelled only under the Market Loss Policy: you pay any market loss plus a $50 fee2
- Selling back
- Immediate liquidation at USGB's bid with no USGB fee (you pay a $25 insured label); consignment of select graded coins at retail ask minus 18% (9% for proof raws) after a 60-month hold3
- BBB
- A+ rating, BBB accredited since October 4, 2024, 18 complaints in the last 3 years7
Pros
- Operating since 2003, BBB accredited with an A+ rating
- 4.7 out of 5 on Trustpilot from more than 1,500 reviews
- Access to the state-administered Texas Bullion Depository with published fees
- Online store with checkout prices, not phone-only quotes
- Free shipping on orders of $99 or more
Cons
- Name suggests a government agency, but it is a private dealer
- Graded Investment Grade and proof coins carry high markups and limited return rights
- Consignment resale takes 18% of retail and requires a 60-month hold
- Bullion sales are final, and cancelling costs any market loss plus $50
- Depository operator and dealer share an owner, a conflict to keep in mind
Best for: Buyers who want bullion from an established Texas dealer and like the idea of state-administered storage at the Texas Bullion Depository.
Skip it if: You are being sold graded or proof coins as a retirement investment, or you want the lowest possible premium over spot.
US Gold Bureau vs. competitors
| Company | BBB rating | BBB accredited | Precious metals IRA | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. Gold Bureau | A+ | Yes (since 2024) | Yes, through outside custodians | Visit site |
| Goldco | A+ | Yes | Yes | Visit site |
| Augusta Precious Metals | A+ | Yes | Yes | Visit site |
| Birch Gold Group | A+ | Yes | Yes | Read review |
Gold IRA companies we reviewed
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US Gold Bureau This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. This review BestGuide rating: 4.7 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Buyers who want bullion from an established Texas dealer and like the idea of state-administered storage at the Texas Bullion Depository. -
Augusta Precious Metals This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.3 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Savers with $50,000 or more who have decided they want physical gold or silver in a self-directed IRA and want a dealer to handle the paperwork. -
Preserve Gold BestGuide rating: 4.2 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Buyers who want help setting up a gold or silver IRA and value a zero-fee buyback promise from the dealer. -
Goldco This company pays BestGuide when you connect with it through our site. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first. Payment never changes what we report about fees, terms or complaints. BestGuide rating: 4.5 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Investors with $50,000 or more who want a large, accredited dealer and will compare a written quote against plain bullion prices.
US Gold Bureau pricing at a glance
U.S. Gold Bureau and Texas Bullion Depository costs, as listed October 20262
| Item | What is published |
|---|---|
| Coin and bar prices | Shown on the website and at checkout, or quoted by phone; sales tax and card processing fees added where they apply |
| Shipping | Free on orders of $99 or more; heavy packages to a PO Box may cost a $110 surcharge |
| Cancelled order | Any market loss plus a $50 cancellation fee; any market gain stays with USGB |
| Late return of Investment Grade Coins | 10% restocking fee if accepted within 15 days after the 30-day window |
| Sell back: immediate liquidation | USGB bid price, which it says is generally close to COMEX spot for bullion; $25 insured shipping label |
| Sell back: consignment | Retail ask minus 18% for certified coins or 9% for proof raws; 60-month hold required |
| Texas Bullion Depository storage | 0.49% a year under $500,000, falling to 0.34% at $2.5 million to $5 million; $25 quarterly minimum |
| Depository shipping out | $17.95 plus 0.18% of the spot value; $35 for personal pick-up |
| Precious metals IRA | Custodian fees not published by USGB; it says reps can discuss incentives that may waive fees |
USGB does not publish its markup over spot for each product. Get a written quote that shows the spot price and the premium, and compare the same coin at another dealer.
US Gold Bureau, step by step
Shop online or call
You can check out on the website or order by phone with a precious metals specialist. Phone orders lock the price when you verbally confirm, and calls are recorded.
Pay
Wire (by phone), ACH or card. Card payments add a processing fee and have a limit; ACH can take up to six business days to verify.
Ship or store
Orders ship fully insured in plain packaging, or you can send metals to the Texas Bullion Depository. Report missing packages within five calendar days.
IRA route
For a precious metals IRA, USGB helps you open a self-directed IRA with a custodian, fund it by rollover or transfer, and store metals at an approved depository.
Sell back
Use Sell to Us for an online payout or call for a quote. Payment usually arrives within 72 hours by check or account credit.
U.S. Gold Bureau legitimacy and licensing
Yes. U.S. Gold Bureau is the trade name of USGB, LLC in Leander, Texas. It was founded in 2003, changed owners in 2008, and is owned by Lone Star Tangible Assets, LP, which the State of Texas picked in 2017 to build and operate the Texas Bullion Depository. The secure facility that stores your IRA metals. Compare gold IRA companies. The BBB rates it A+, it has been BBB accredited since October 2024, and it has 18 complaints in three years. Trustpilot shows 4.7 out of 5 from 1,579 reviews.
It is not a government agency. USGB’s own footer says it is a private distributor of U.S. Mint coins and is not affiliated with the U.S. government. We found no SEC, CFTC or state attorney general action naming U.S. Gold Bureau, but gold dealers are not licensed like brokers, so check the BBB file and your state attorney general before a large purchase.
U.S. Gold Bureau prices and fees
Unlike many gold IRA firms, USGB runs an online store: prices show on the website and at checkout, and phone orders are quoted by a specialist. Card payments add a processing fee, shipping is free on orders of $99 or more, and sales tax applies where your state charges it. USGB does not publish its markup over spot for each product.
The terms that cost buyers money are in the fine print. Bullion is final sale. If you cancel after a confirmation number is issued, you pay any market loss plus a $50 fee, and any market gain stays with USGB. Proof coins and special orders are final. Investment Grade Coins, USGB’s certified coins such as PF70 sets, can be returned within 30 days for a product refund, but you pay shipping both ways.
The Texas Bullion Depository connection
The Texas Bullion Depository was created by the Texas Legislature and operates under the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, with Lone Star Tangible Assets running day-to-day operations. USGB says storage is insured through Lloyd’s of London, and the depository serves all investors, not only USGB customers.
Fees changed on April 1, 2026 to a flat rate on your whole balance: 0.49% a year under $500,000, 0.44% from $500,000, 0.39% from $1 million and 0.34% from $2.5 million, with a $25 quarterly minimum. Setup and withdrawal fees were dropped; shipping out costs $17.95 plus 0.18% of spot value. Because the same parent company owns the dealer and runs the vault, compare these fees with an independent depository before you choose.
What customers say about US Gold Bureau
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Knowledgeable, low-pressure representatives
- Secure, discreet packaging
- Smooth transactions for repeat buyers
- Coins arriving in good condition
Common complaints
- Shipping delays of several weeks on some orders
- Slow fulfillment after payment cleared
- Wire transfer requirements for larger orders
- Slow company replies to negative reviews
Selling metals back to U.S. Gold Bureau
USGB’s Buy Back Guarantee promises a market, not a price. Immediate liquidation pays USGB’s bid, which it says is generally close to COMEX spot for bullion, with no USGB fee beyond a $25 insured label, and payment usually within 72 hours. Graded and numismatic coins usually get a lower immediate payout. Its consignment program sells select certified coins at retail ask minus 18% (9% for proof raws), only after you have held them 60 months.
That 18% gap is a good measure of how much more you pay for graded coins than for their metal. If a representative pushes PF70 or proof sets for an IRA or for safety, ask for the bid price on the same coin today before you buy.
Complaints and how to avoid problems
Reviews on Trustpilot are mostly positive. Negative reviews describe shipping that took six weeks or more and slow fulfillment after payment. USGB’s terms let it delay shipping up to 30 days past the expected date during supply shortages, with your price still locked.
To avoid problems: get the Spot price. The current market price for bulk metal, before dealer premiums. Compare gold IRA companies and premium in writing, pay by wire or ACH only after you read the Market Loss Policy, require a signature on delivery (insurance does not cover packages left unattended), and report any missing package within five calendar days of delivery.
Rules that protect you
Precious metals dealers are not registered with the SEC or FINRA the way brokers are. The CFTC and state attorneys general bring fraud cases against metals sellers, so a dealer’s name or a sales pitch about safety is no substitute for a written price quote. For an IRA, the IRS only allows certain bullion of minimum fineness held by an approved trustee or depository, so collectible graded coins may not qualify. Ask your Custodian. The IRS-approved firm that administers your IRA, keeps records and reports to the IRS. Compare gold IRA companies, not the dealer, to confirm eligibility.
Who should skip U.S. Gold Bureau
If you want the lowest premium on common bullion, compare online prices from several dealers first. If you are being steered toward PF70 or proof coins for retirement, step back, because those carry the widest spreads and the strictest return terms. And if you only want gold exposure in an IRA, a low-cost gold ETF avoids dealer markups and storage fees entirely.
Alternatives to US Gold Bureau
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Worth comparing if you want a gold IRA specialist and do not care about Texas storage.
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An option if you want an IRA-focused firm with heavy education before you buy.
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U.S. Mint
The actual government seller of American Eagles and Buffalos, if you only want U.S. Mint products and will store them yourself.
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Gold ETF in your current brokerage IRA
The do-it-yourself route for gold price exposure without dealer markups, shipping or storage fees.
Next steps
US Gold Bureau reviews
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Frequently asked questions
Is the U.S. Gold Bureau a government agency?
No. It is USGB, LLC, a private dealer in Leander, Texas. Its website states it is not affiliated with the U.S. government. The U.S. Mint is the federal agency that makes American Eagle coins.
Is U.S. Gold Bureau legit or a scam?
It is a legitimate dealer operating since 2003, BBB accredited with an A+ rating and 18 complaints in three years. The main risks are high markups on graded coins and strict cancellation terms, not fraud.
Who owns U.S. Gold Bureau?
Lone Star Tangible Assets, LP owns it. The same company operates the Texas Bullion Depository for the State of Texas.
What does the Texas Bullion Depository charge?
Since April 1, 2026: 0.49% a year on balances under $500,000, 0.44% up to $1 million, 0.39% up to $2.5 million and 0.34% up to $5 million, with a $25 quarterly minimum. There is no setup or withdrawal fee.
Can I cancel a U.S. Gold Bureau order?
Only under its Market Loss Policy. If the price has fallen since you ordered, you pay the loss plus a $50 fee; if it has risen, USGB keeps the gain.
Does U.S. Gold Bureau buy back gold?
Yes. It buys bullion at its bid price, which it says is generally close to COMEX spot, with no fee beyond a $25 insured shipping label. Select graded coins can be consigned at retail ask minus 18% after five years.
Does U.S. Gold Bureau offer a gold IRA?
Yes. It helps you open a self-directed IRA with an outside custodian, roll over funds, and store IRA-eligible metals at an approved depository such as the Texas Bullion Depository.
Does U.S. Gold Bureau charge for shipping?
Shipping is free on orders of $99 or more. Shipments are insured until delivery, but not if you ask the carrier to leave the package without a signature.
What is the minimum order at U.S. Gold Bureau?
USGB does not publish a minimum order for its online store. Shipping is free from $99, and card payments have a maximum that USGB may change.
Are U.S. Gold Bureau reviews good?
Mostly. Trustpilot shows 4.7 out of 5 from 1,579 reviews, with complaints about slow shipping and fulfillment. The BBB lists 18 complaints in three years.
Sources (13)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- U.S. Gold Bureau: About us (accessed October 12, 2026)
- U.S. Gold Bureau: Terms and conditions of sale (accessed October 12, 2026)
- U.S. Gold Bureau: Buy back guarantee (accessed October 12, 2026)
- U.S. Gold Bureau: FAQ (accessed October 12, 2026)
- U.S. Gold Bureau: Texas Bullion Depository secure storage (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Texas Bullion Depository: Schedule of fees (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: United States Gold Bureau (accessed October 12, 2026)
- Trustpilot: U.S. Gold Bureau reviews (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: Texas Depository Services, LLC (Texas Bullion Depository) (accessed October 12, 2026)
- U.S. Gold Bureau: Precious metals IRA (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: Goldco (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: Augusta Precious Metals (accessed October 12, 2026)
- BBB: Birch Gold Group (accessed October 12, 2026)
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