IC-DISC for Precious Metals Exporters
Your Precious Metals Exports Are Leaving Tax Savings on the Table
If your company exports gold, silver, platinum, palladium, or other precious metals, the IC-DISC program could save you hundreds of thousands of dollars per year in taxes. It's a legitimate tax incentive that's been in the Internal Revenue Code since 1971, and most precious metals exporters have never heard of it.
Precious Metals Exporter Savings Example
Based on ~2.3% of qualified exports, net of fees. Actual savings vary.
Why Precious Metals Exporters Are Ideal IC-DISC Candidates
Precious metals exporters (refiners, traders, and fabricators) have some of the highest per-transaction values of any export industry. That means outsized IC-DISC benefits.
Extremely High Per-Unit Value
Precious metals carry some of the highest per-unit values of any export. Gold, platinum, and palladium exports translate directly into outsized IC-DISC savings. The benefit scales with revenue.
U.S. Refined = U.S. Content
Precious metals refined, processed, or fabricated in the United States qualify as U.S. content. The refining process itself satisfies the 50% U.S. content requirement for IC-DISC eligibility.
Global Demand
Global demand for precious metals remains strong across industrial, investment, and jewelry markets. Consistent international demand means reliable export revenue and predictable IC-DISC savings.
Privately Held Refiners & Dealers
Many precious metals refiners, dealers, and fabricators are privately held. That's exactly the ownership structure where the IC-DISC delivers the greatest tax savings.
What Precious Metals Exports Qualify?
Qualified exports are products containing more than 50% U.S. content, sold to an ultimate destination outside the United States. For precious metals exporters, this typically includes:
- Gold:bars, grain, refined gold, and gold products
- Silver:refined silver, silver alloys, and semi-finished products
- Platinum & palladium:refined PGMs for industrial and investment use
- Semi-finished products:fabricated precious metal components and materials
- Indirect exports:metals sold to domestic dealers or fabricators who then export
Note: Even if you sell to a domestic dealer, fabricator, or trading company that then exports the product, those sales may qualify as indirect exports for IC-DISC purposes. This is an area where many precious metals companies are leaving money on the table.
Quick Qualification Check
Export (directly or indirectly) $3M+ annually?
Metals refined or fabricated in the U.S.?
Company is privately held?
If you checked all three, you're a strong candidate.
How We Work with Precious Metals Exporters
Export Advisors has been exclusively focused on the IC-DISC since 2006. We handle everything: setup, administration, commission maximization, and compliance, so you can focus on running your precious metals business.
We work alongside your existing CPA. No disruption to your current accounting relationships. Your CPA continues handling everything else while we handle the IC-DISC specialization.
Quick Assessment
We review your export activity to confirm eligibility and estimate savings.
IC-DISC Setup
We form the IC-DISC entity and establish the optimal commission structure.
Ongoing Administration
Proprietary systems keep your IC-DISC running smoothly year after year with annual optimization.
“The per-transaction values in precious metals mean even modest export volumes generate significant IC-DISC savings. It's one of the industries where the math is most compelling.”
David Spray
Founder, Export Advisors