> A home visit lets a gold buyer come to you to weigh and value your jewellery, coins or bars, but the same French legal rules apply as in a shop: mandatory *Source : https://meilleur-rachat-or.fr/en/guides/gold-home-visit-france/* --- ● Guide # Selling Gold From Home in France: How a Home Visit Works Published on **28/03/2026** · By **Sébastien Joumel** In brief **A home visit lets a gold buyer come to you to weigh and value your jewellery, coins or bars, but the same French legal rules apply as in a shop: mandatory ID check, entry in a police register, and payment by traceable means (bank transfer or cheque) — never cash.** Convenient does not mean unregulated, and the price still hinges on the buyback rate the dealer applies to the public spot price. ## What is a gold home visit and who is it for? A home visit is when a professional gold buyer travels to your address to assess and purchase your gold on the spot, instead of you carrying it to a shop. **It exists mainly for people who cannot easily travel, who hold large or heavy lots, or who prefer not to move valuables through public spaces.** The buyer typically brings a calibrated scale, an acid or electronic tester, and a magnet to sort real gold from plated items. What changes value is objective: the fineness (24k=999, 22k=916, 18k=750, 14k=585, 9k=375), the net weight in grams, the presence of a French hallmark, and any numismatic premium on collectable coins. The service should be free with no obligation to sell if you decline the offer. ## Is a home visit legal and safe in France? Yes, provided the buyer follows the same obligations as a shop. **By French law the professional must verify your identity, record the transaction in a mandatory register available to the police, and pay you by bank transfer or cheque — cash payment for precious metals is prohibited.** Treat a demand for cash, or a refusal to show ID and paperwork, as a warning sign. Ask in advance for the company name, SIRET number and the terms of the valuation. Have your own ID ready, keep the written purchase slip, and never feel pressured to accept an offer made at your kitchen table. A legitimate buyer will let you compare before committing. ## How is the price set during a home visit? The price rests on two things: the public spot price of gold and the dealer's buyback rate. **Spot is the same worldwide reference for everyone and is published daily, so the real difference between buyers is the margin they take — the percentage of spot they actually pay you — which they are not obliged to display.** On a home visit you lose the ability to walk to the next shop, so the rate matters even more. Ask what percentage of spot the offer represents, request the weight and fineness in writing, and check the maths yourself. Because the gold price moves every day, no honest buyer can quote you a fixed figure in advance. To sense the going rate, [compare gold buyers in your city](https://meilleur-rachat-or.fr/en/gold-buyback/) before booking a visit. ## Frequently asked questions Can a gold buyer pay me in cash during a home visit? No. In France, payment for precious metals must be traceable, meaning bank transfer or cheque. Cash is not permitted, and a home visit does not change this rule. Do I have to sell once the buyer is at my home? No. A valuation carries no obligation. You are free to refuse the offer, and a reputable buyer will accept that without pressure so you can compare rates elsewhere first. Will I be taxed when I sell gold from home? Yes, French sales of precious metals are taxed either under the flat tax on precious metals or, if you can prove your purchase price, under the capital-gains regime. The home format does not exempt you. ## Read also [ Guide Certified Scales When Selling Gold in France: What to Check ](https://meilleur-rachat-or.fr/en/guides/certified-scale-selling-gold-france/)[ Guide Gold Buyback Payment: How and When You Get Paid in France ](https://meilleur-rachat-or.fr/en/guides/gold-buyback-payment-times-france/)[ Guide Troy Ounce to Gram: How to Convert When Selling Gold in France ](https://meilleur-rachat-or.fr/en/guides/troy-ounce-to-gram-conversion/) ## Sell at the best price near you Compare the gold buyers in your city. [See the rankings](https://meilleur-rachat-or.fr/en/gold-buyback/)