## Is Investing in Gold Legal?
Investing in gold is a popular way to diversify one’s portfolio and hedge against inflation. However, there are some legal considerations to be aware of before investing in gold.
### Legality of Gold Ownership
In most countries, it is legal to own gold in physical form, such as bars, coins, or jewelry. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, in some countries, it is illegal to own gold without a license or to export gold without permission.
### Legality of Gold Investments
In addition to owning physical gold, there are a number of ways to invest in gold without taking physical possession of the metal. These include:
* **Gold ETFs:** Gold ETFs are exchange-traded funds that track the price of gold. They are similar to mutual funds, but they trade on stock exchanges like stocks.
* **Gold futures:** Gold futures are contracts to buy or sell gold at a future date. They are traded on futures exchanges.
* **Gold options:** Gold options are contracts that give the buyer the right, but not the obligation, to buy or sell gold at a specified price on or before a certain date. They are traded on options exchanges.
The legality of these gold investments varies from country to country. In some countries, they are considered to be securities and are regulated by securities laws. In other countries, they are considered to be commodities and are not regulated by securities laws.
### Tax Implications of Gold Investments
The tax implications of gold investments also vary from country to country. In some countries, gold is exempt from capital gains tax. In other countries, gold is subject to capital gains tax at the same rate as other investments.
### Legal Considerations for Non-US Investors
Non-US investors should be aware of the following legal considerations before investing in gold:
* **Currency risk:** The price of gold is denominated in US dollars. This means that non-US investors are exposed to currency risk when investing in gold.
* **Withholding tax:** Non-US investors may be subject to withholding tax on gold investments. The amount of withholding tax will vary depending on the country of residence and the type of gold investment.
* **Tax treaties:** Some countries have tax treaties with the US that may reduce or eliminate withholding tax on gold investments.
### Conclusion
Investing in gold can be a smart way to diversify one’s portfolio and hedge against inflation. However, there are some legal considerations to be aware of before investing in gold. These include the legality of gold ownership, the legality of gold investments, the tax implications of gold investments, and the legal considerations for non-US investors.
## Additional Resources
* [Gold Investing Guide](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/basics/03/gold.asp)
* [Gold ETFs: A Beginner’s Guide](https://www.thebalance.com/gold-etfs-a-beginners-guide-4058246)
* [Gold Futures: A Beginner’s Guide](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/basics/03/goldfutures.asp)
* [Gold Options: A Beginner’s Guide](https://www.thebalance.com/gold-options-a-beginners-guide-4058257)
## Appendix
### List of Countries Where Gold Ownership is Legal
* Australia
* Canada
* China
* France
* Germany
* India
* Japan
* Mexico
* Russia
* Switzerland
* United Kingdom
* United States
### List of Countries Where Gold Ownership is Illegal
* North Korea
* South Korea
* Syria
* Turkey
### List of Countries Where Gold Investments are Legal
* Australia
* Canada
* China
* France
* Germany
* India
* Japan
* Mexico
* Russia
* Switzerland
* United Kingdom
* United States
### List of Countries Where Gold Investments are Illegal
* North Korea
* South Korea
* Syria
* Turkey