Where to buy gold in Canada: dealers compared on price
For most Canadians, an online bullion dealer is the cheapest place to buy gold. On 11 October 2026, a 1 oz Gold Maple Leaf paid for by wire or cheque cost 1.68% over spot at Gold Stock Canada and 3.16% at Canadian PMX. Card or PayPal added about 4 points. Pure bullion carries no GST or HST.
Buying gold in Canada: the short version
- How you pay changes the price. At both dealers we checked, one Maple Leaf cost CA$228 to CA$247 more by card or PayPal than by wire.
- No GST or HST on gold bars, coins and wafers that are at least 99.5% pure (Excise Tax Act, s.123(1)). 22 karat coins do not meet that test.
- Half of a capital gain is taxable for most buy-and-hold owners. The CRA says the planned increase in that rate was cancelled.
- Home-grown coin. The Royal Canadian Mint's Gold Maple Leaf is 99.99% pure, so it qualifies for the tax-free treatment.
What do Canadian dealers charge for a Maple Leaf? Our price check
When you buy gold you pay the spot price (the wholesale market price for one troy ounce) plus a premium, which covers minting, the dealer's costs and its profit. The premium is the cost you can control, so we measured it. We captured the price of one 1 oz Gold Maple Leaf on each dealer's product page, for the cheapest and the most expensive payment methods shown.
| Dealer and coin | Wire or cheque | Premium | Card or PayPal | Premium |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gold Stock Canada (random year) | CA$6,079.19 | 1.68% | CA$6,307.16 | 5.49% |
| Canadian PMX (2026 coin) | CA$6,167.69 | 3.16% | CA$6,414.40 | 7.29% |
How we checked: prices were captured automatically from each dealer's product page on Sunday 11 October 2026, around 12:05 UTC, when the gold market was closed, so prices were not moving. Spot price from gold-api.com. A 1 oz Maple Leaf holds one troy ounce of 99.99% gold, so premium = price / spot - 1. Canadian PMX's wire price applies to wire transfer or bank draft. A random-year coin is usually cheaper than the current year's coin, so the two rows are close but not identical products. Silver Gold Bull's site does not allow automated price checks, so we do not publish a premium for it. This check repeats every month; see the Canada gold premium report and the premium tracker.
What this means for you: on one Maple Leaf, the gap between the cheapest option (Gold Stock Canada by wire) and the dearest (Canadian PMX by card) was CA$335.21. Most of that came from the payment method, not the dealer. Before you pay, check today's gold price in CAD and run the quote through the calculator below.
Which Canadian gold dealers should you compare?
We list dealers in order of the premium we found. Affiliate commission does not change that order. Each summary only uses what the dealer's own website showed on the day we checked, or our own price capture.
Gold Stock Canada
Lowest Maple Leaf premium in our check- Wire or cheque premium
- 1.68% (CA$6,079.19)
- Card or PayPal premium
- 5.49% (CA$6,307.16)
- Shipping
- Free insured shipping in Canada on orders over $500
- In person
- Walk-in showroom in downtown Toronto
Gold Stock Canada says it was established in 2006 and offers a price-match guarantee. Its random-year Maple Leaf was the cheapest coin we found. The $500 free-shipping threshold is low, so even a single small coin may ship free. It also buys gold back, in person or by insured mail-in, and says it pays the same day.
Check Gold Stock Canada prices Read our Gold Stock Canada review
Canadian PMX
Royal Canadian Mint distributor with storage- Wire or bank draft premium
- 3.16% (CA$6,167.69)
- Card or PayPal premium
- 7.29% (CA$6,414.40)
- Shipping
- Free insured shipping in Canada on orders over $1,000
- In person
- Showroom in Richmond Hill, north of Toronto
Canadian PMX describes itself as an authorised Royal Canadian Mint distributor for over 25 years and also offers insured storage. Its price was for a current 2026 coin, which partly explains the higher premium. At the time of our check, its site said shipments to the USA were suspended, which does not affect Canadian buyers. Compare it in Canadian PMX vs Silver Gold Bull.
Check Canadian PMX prices Read our Canadian PMX review
Silver Gold Bull, Kitco and others
Not in this month's price tableSilver Gold Bull is a large online dealer, but its site does not allow automated price checks, so we do not publish a premium for it. See our Silver Gold Bull review and Silver Gold Bull vs Kitco. We also cover Kitco, Bullion Mart, 401 Gold, Canadian Bullion and Vaulted. All Canadian reviews are on the dealer reviews page.
What about banks and Costco?
Some Canadian banks sell gold to customers, and many buyers also ask about Costco. Convenience is not the same as a low premium, so compare any bank or warehouse-store price with the dealer prices above, using the same coin or bar. Read our guides to buying gold from Canadian banks, the TD Precious Metals review, the Scotiabank gold review, Costco gold in Canada, our Costco Canada review and TD vs Costco gold.
How is gold taxed in Canada?
Two federal rules matter: sales tax (GST or HST) when you buy, and income tax on any profit when you sell.
| Item or situation | GST/HST when buying | Tax when selling at a profit |
|---|---|---|
| Gold bars, ingots, coins or wafers, 99.5% pure or more (Maple Leaf, Kangaroo, Britannia, most bars) | None: a "precious metal" under the Excise Tax Act | Usually a capital gain: half is taxable |
| 22 karat coins (Krugerrand, American Gold Eagle, Sovereign) | Taxable: 91.67% gold is below the 99.5% test | Usually a capital gain: half is taxable |
| Gold jewellery | Taxable | Personal-use property rules may apply |
| Frequent trading for profit | As above | May be business income, fully taxable |
Why bullion is GST/HST-free. Section 123(1) of the Excise Tax Act defines a precious metal as "a bar, ingot, coin or wafer" of gold "refined to a purity level of at least 99.5%". The same section lists a precious metal as a financial instrument, and transferring one is a financial service, which is exempt from GST/HST. Sales by the refiner itself are zero-rated under Schedule VI. Either way, you pay no sales tax on pure bullion, in any province.
A Canadian quirk. Because the test is purity, not gold weight, a 22 karat coin with a full ounce of gold (such as a Krugerrand) attracts GST or HST, while a 99.99% Maple Leaf does not. That is the reverse of the UK, where tax turns on legal tender status. In practice, Canadian buyers who want tax-free bullion stick to 24 karat products.
Capital gains. The CRA confirmed in 2025 that it administers the enacted inclusion rate of one-half, and its corporate guidance says the proposed rise to two-thirds was cancelled. So if you buy a coin for CA$6,000 and sell it for CA$7,000, CA$500 of the CA$1,000 gain is added to your income. Report it on line 12700 of your return. Our gold tax guide for Canada has more examples and the business-income test. If you want gold inside a tax shelter, see gold in an RRSP or TFSA.
Which coins and bars do Canadian buyers choose?
The Gold Maple Leaf is the natural first choice: it is made by the Royal Canadian Mint, holds one troy ounce of 99.99% gold, is recognised by dealers worldwide and is GST/HST-free. Cast and minted bars from refiners such as PAMP Suisse and the Royal Canadian Mint also qualify, and often carry a lower premium than coins.
| Product | Fine gold | GST/HST | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 oz Gold Maple Leaf | 1 troy oz (99.99%) | None | Premium 1.7% to 7.3% in our check, by dealer and payment |
| Fractional Maple Leafs (1/2, 1/4, 1/10 oz) | 0.5 to 0.1 oz | None | Smaller sizes cost more per ounce |
| 1 oz gold bar | 1 troy oz (99.99% typical) | None if 99.5%+ | Keep the assay card sealed |
| Krugerrand or Gold Eagle | 1 troy oz (91.67% alloy) | Taxable | GST or HST can add 5% to 15%, depending on province |
An assay card is the sealed certificate that comes with a bar and states its weight and purity. New to this? Start with best gold coins for beginners or our step-by-step guide on how to buy gold.
Where should you store gold in Canada?
You have three realistic options. A home safe has no running cost, but check whether your home insurance caps cover for bullion, as many policies do. A bank safe deposit box is cheap, but banks generally do not insure what is inside. A dealer or third-party vault charges a fee and handles insurance; Canadian PMX, for example, offers insured storage. Our gold storage guide compares costs and risks.
How do you sell gold in Canada?
Dealers buy back for less than they sell. That gap is the spread, and it is why gold suits holding for years rather than months. Both dealers in our table buy back, and Gold Stock Canada accepts walk-ins and insured mail-in sales. We did not capture buyback prices in this check, so we do not publish any. Get two or three quotes, and bring your original invoice. Our guide to where to sell gold in Canada covers dealers, pawn shops and refiners. If you live in a big city, our local guides cover Toronto, Mississauga, Ottawa, Montreal, Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg and Halifax.
Check a Canadian dealer quote
More Canadian gold guides
- Gold price today in CAD
- Gold price per gram in CAD and per kilo
Frequently asked questions
Where is the cheapest place to buy gold in Canada?
Specialist bullion dealers usually beat banks and retail stores on price. In our check on 11 October 2026, a 1 oz Gold Maple Leaf paid for by wire or cheque cost 1.68% over spot at Gold Stock Canada (random year) and 3.16% at Canadian PMX (2026 coin). Paying by card or PayPal added roughly 4 percentage points at both.
Do you pay GST or HST on gold in Canada?
Not on gold bars, ingots, coins or wafers refined to at least 99.5% purity. The Excise Tax Act treats these as precious metals, and their sale is a tax-free financial service. Gold below that purity, such as 22 karat coins and jewellery, is taxable. See our Canadian gold tax guide.
How is a gold profit taxed in Canada?
For most people who buy and hold, a profit is a capital gain, and half of it is added to your taxable income. The CRA says a proposed increase to that inclusion rate was cancelled. If you trade often, the CRA may treat profits as business income, which is fully taxable. Keep every invoice.
Why is the card price higher than the wire price?
Card and PayPal companies charge the dealer a fee, and dealers pass it on. On 11 October 2026, Gold Stock Canada's card price for a 1 oz Maple Leaf was CA$227.97 above its wire price, and Canadian PMX's was CA$246.71 above. Paying by wire, cheque or bank draft avoids most of that.
Can I buy gold from the Royal Canadian Mint?
The Royal Canadian Mint makes the Gold Maple Leaf, and most buyers get its bullion through dealers and banks that distribute it. Canadian PMX, for example, says it has been an authorised Royal Canadian Mint distributor for over 25 years. Read buying from the Royal Canadian Mint for the options.
Can I hold physical gold in an RRSP or TFSA?
Certain gold bullion can be a qualified investment for registered plans, but you cannot simply keep coins at home and call them an RRSP holding. It has to be held through a plan trustee that offers it. Our guide to gold in an RRSP or TFSA explains the rules and costs.
Is it safe to buy gold online in Canada?
It can be, if you use an established dealer with clear prices, insured shipping and a stated buyback policy. Both dealers in our table offer fully insured shipping within Canada and run showrooms in the Toronto area. Pay from an account in your own name, keep invoices, and ignore anyone promising returns.
Sources
We checked these primary and official sources when writing and fact-checking this page.
- Justice Laws Website: Excise Tax Act, section 123(1) (definitions of precious metal, financial instrument and financial service)
- Justice Laws Website: Excise Tax Act, Schedule VI Part IX (zero-rated supply of precious metals by the refiner)
- CRA: Update on the administration of the proposed capital gains changes (one-half inclusion rate)
- CRA: What's new for corporations (proposed inclusion rate increase cancelled)
- CRA: Line 12700, Taxable capital gains
- Royal Canadian Mint: Gold Maple Leaf bullion coins
- Gold Stock Canada: shipping threshold, showroom and 1 oz Maple Leaf price (checked 11 Oct 2026)
- Canadian PMX: shipping threshold, Royal Canadian Mint distributor status and 1 oz Maple Leaf price (checked 11 Oct 2026)
- gold-api.com: XAU/CAD spot feed used for GoldVetted price checks
Not financial advice. GoldVetted provides general information to help you compare options. It is not personal financial, tax or legal advice. Gold prices go down as well as up, and you may get back less than you pay. Check tax rules with the official source or a qualified adviser before you act.