Frequently Asked Questions
1. General- Who is Ophirum?
- Who is behind Ophirum?
- Who can I talk to if I have questions or need more information?
Ophirum is an independent precious metals supplier. Being independent means that Ophirum can concentrate completely on customer’s wishes and requirements without having to follow instructions from an internal investment consultant. Private and institutional customers can choose their required products and the trade takes place via the Internet, telephone or fax. Our reliable logistics partner delivers the purchased products to our customers. Furthermore, Ophirum supports banks and asset managers in developing custom-made financial products and their own solutions for the precious metal trade.
Ophirum’s founders come from the banking industry. In their previous occupation they quickly came to value the strategic benefits of investing in raw materials for portfolio allocation and made the products available to their customers. They expanded on this idea with the aim of being independent of banks and more customer orientated, and Ophirum was created.
Our service team is available on weekdays (except for bank holidays) 9am to 6pm by telephone +49 69 153 2007-30, fax +49 69 153 2007 - 79 or email (kontakt@ophirum.de) or you can use our contact form.
- Where do our products come from and who are the manufacturers?
- Who guarantees the authenticity of the goods?
- Are the products certified?
- How are the coins and bars protected against external influences?
Ophirum only works with renowned and experienced specialists in the precious metal industry. Our main partner for ingot products is Heraeus (www.heraeus.de). Heraeus has many years of international experience in precious metal processing and stands for high quality products. For coins, Ophirum sells products from the most well-known mints all over the world. They have decades of experience in producing and distributing coins and offer excellent quality products.
Ophirum provides unlimited guarantee for the quality and authenticity of the goods traded. We only work with partners who possess long years of experience in the precious metal industry. The goods come straight from our partners’ mints / refineries and are stored in our logistic partner’s high security warehouses.
Our bars up to 50g in size are shrink-wrapped with a so-called security certificate. This certificate contains various information about the bars, the origin, dimensions and has a serial number. However, there are also bars which originate from older productions and don’t have a security certificate. Of course, these bars are equally as valuable, as the value is in the gold bar itself and its level of purity. All of our bars are so-called investment gold – they possess a purity of 99.99% and mainly come from the LBMA-certified manufacturer Heraeus.
The coins and bars are shrink-wrapped in foil or are delivered in coin capsules, and are therefore protected against soiling and damage.
- How does the basket system work?
- When does my order become binding?
- Will I receive an order confirmation and payment confirmation?
- Is the purchase/sale of precious metals subject to VAT?
- What are Ophirum’s trading times?
- Is trading with Ophirum safe?
As soon as you set up a basket, we then guarantee the rates shown for your products for the next 10 minutes
You will have the possibility to vary numbers of units, add and delete products. You can continue your order by clicking “Checkout” and choosing your delivery and payment details.
Before you conclude the transaction, you will receive a summary of your or order. After checking the summary is correct, you can confirm by clicking “Buy now”. Only after this confirmation does your order become binding and your sales contract will be concluded.
Up until you receive the delivery of your precious metals, we will keep you updated on the progress of your order. Immediately after your order you will receive an order confirmation with an overview of your order and payment details.
After we have registered the receipt of your payment, you will receive a further confirmation by email or fax with a payment confirmation and exact delivery data. You will receive an official invoice together with the delivery of your precious metals.
After we have registered the receipt of your payment, you will receive a further confirmation by email or fax with a payment confirmation and exact delivery data. You will receive an official invoice together with the delivery of your precious metals.
The trade with investment gold as gold bars and gold coins has been VAT-free since 01/01/2000. For trading with silver there is a VAT of 19% (for bars) and 7% (for coins which are permitted for use as currency). Platinum and palladium are subject to 19% VAT - for both bars and coins.
Due to our automated trading systems, trades can be made all day, around the clock (24 hours), at current and binding rates. Even on weekends.
Ophirum is Trusted-Shops certified and holds the VeriSign Trust certification mark. The "Trusted Shops"-verification seal provides online shopping safety. During the order process you can add Trusted Shops buyer protection and take advantage of this buyer protection service. You can find out more about buyer protection at Ophirum here.
- Are over the counter transactions possible?
- Where can I buy gold in cash?
Yes, over the counter transactions up to a product value of EUR 25,000 are possible. There are no minimum order quantities.
You can find a summary of possible collection points where you can pay for your order in cash here.
- Is cash on delivery possible?
- How does advance payment work?
- What is instant bank transfer?
- automatic debit from your online bank account
- rapid delivery of your order
- no additional registration
- highest security standards
For orders up to a product value of EUR 5,000.00, you can pay cash upon delivery. This means that the courier service will accept the money upon delivery of the goods. An additional fee of EUR 25.00 is due for this service.
With advance payment, you can transfer the invoice amount to Ophirum’s bank account.
Our bank details are as follows:
Account holder: Ophirum GmbH
IBAN: DE57 3804 0007 0339 3063 00
BIC: COBADEFFXXX
Bank: Commerzbank
You can also pay into this account by making a cash payment. In that case, please go to the bank branch of your choice. Please note that the bank may charge an additional fee for cash payment.
Sofortüberweisung.de is a new, free payment method with the TÜV certificate “Certified Data Protection" and "Certified Payment System". Instant transfer was developed by Payment Network AG and has been implemented in numerous online shops in Germany.
Sofortüberweisung.de transfers an automated, real time transfer from your online bank account via Payment Network AG’s secure payment form which is non-accessible for traders. The purchase amount will be immediately and directly transferred to the trader’s bank account.
The benefits of this payment type are available free of charge to Ophirum customers up to a product value of EUR 10,000.00:
Sofortüberweisung.de transfers an automated, real time transfer from your online bank account via Payment Network AG’s secure payment form which is non-accessible for traders. The purchase amount will be immediately and directly transferred to the trader’s bank account.
You can find out more about instant transfers here.
- How much are delivery costs?
- When will I receive my order?
- How safe is delivery?
- What happens if I am not at the delivery address when the delivery arrives?
- Delivery to company address?
At Ophirum, there is no tiered pricing. Order values up to 5.000 EUR will be delivered for 9.90 EUR per order. Orders with value more than 5.000 EUR will be delivered free of charge. This also applies for cash payments and collection.
The delivery time for the products depends on the delivery and payment methods chosen and is approximately 1 - 4 working days after receipt of payment. If you have an urgent order, please contact us on +49 69 153 2007-30 or kontakt@ophirum.de.
Depending on the product value, weight and chosen payment option, we commission a courier service or CiT provider with delivery. All of our logistics partners have long years of experience with delivering valuable goods. Additionally, the product value is fully insured against loss during delivery.
If you are not there upon delivery, you will find an attempted delivery card in your letterbox with the courier’s contact details. Please get in touch with the courier service immediately to arrange a new date for delivery. If, despite this arrangement, you don’t find a card in your letterbox, then please get in touch with us on +49 (0) 69 153 2007 30.
Orders with a value over EUR 15,000.00 are sent via our CiT logistics partner. If you are not home when this delivery arrives, your package will be returned to our high security warehouse. Please note that you will have to pay additional costs for the return and re-delivery in this case.
Orders with a value over EUR 15,000.00 are sent via our CiT logistics partner. If you are not home when this delivery arrives, your package will be returned to our high security warehouse. Please note that you will have to pay additional costs for the return and re-delivery in this case.
Please note that in the case of delivery to company addresses, we are unable to exclude delivery to reception or corresponding postal departments at the offices.
- How does storage work?
- Where will my precious metals be stored?
- Is there a limit to the product value I can store?
- Are my precious metals insured?
- Why do I have to provide my account details when I sell my inventory?
- How much does storage cost?
- How can I liquidate my storage?
- Can I see my precious metals at any time?
- Does the customer have complete ownership over the product?
You can get a detailed description of how simple and easy it is to store precious metals at Ophirum here: https://www.ophirum.de/de/service/meingolddepot
It is hardly possible to be any more secure. Storage takes place in the secure Prosegur GmbH’s vaults. Prosegur runs the high security and duty free warehouse in Neu-Isenburg near Frankfurt/Main. Prosegur has further expanded the impressive security architecture and security standards former Federal Printing Office building to the highest level. With 1,000 square metres of storage space, it offers optimum possibilities for storing precious metals. Of course, the building is monitored by round the clock surveillance by personnel and cameras.
You can store a product value of up to EUR 250,000 per order (you can make and store multiple orders, of course).
Your precious metal products are fully insured, of course.
We need your account details in order to transfer the sales price to you. Due to legal provisions of the money laundering act, it is important that the account holder is identical to the depot holder. For this purpose, we ask you to state your account data as a reference account. If this is not possible, please contact us by telephone +49 (0) 69 153 200730.unter 069 153 200730.
Upon the initial storage, the costs to the end of the quarter are calculated to the day. Thereafter, the fees are calculated on a percentage basis per quarter and invoiced. The fee is based on the value of the product stored and currently is 0,5% per quarter. A minimum fee of EUR 8,90 is due.
There are a number of different possibilities for you to administer your precious metals from your depot. You can have your precious metals sent to you directly, or pick them up yourself at one of our collection points. If you wish, you may also sell your metals back to us. You can find the currently valid selling rates in our precious metal shops.
Please understand that this is not possible. The storage takes place in Prosegur GmbH’s high security warehouse. Only authorised personnel are permitted to access the vaults, and only with considerable security measures. It is not possible to permit unlimited access at all times due to time and cost factors.
You have the choice – you can administer your precious metal depot at any time by adding more. You can reduce your inventory at any time or have it sent from the warehouse to an address of your choice. You have access to your online account 365 days a year around the clock – 24 hours a day.
You have the choice – you can administer your precious metal depot at any time by adding more. You can reduce your inventory at any time or have it sent from the warehouse to an address of your choice. You have access to your online account 365 days a year around the clock – 24 hours a day.
YES, the customer retains 100% ownership over the product we store on your behalf at Prosegur GmbH’s high security warehouse.
- What is vaulted gold?
- Are the purchased goods physically there?
- How safe is my property?
- How do I pay in to the savings plan?
- How much does it cost?
The term vaulted gold refers to direct investment of shares in physical gold stored safely in a vault on the customer’s behalf. In all cases, this is investment gold and the customer is the owner of the stored precious metal.
Yes! The shares you purchase with your savings plan are physically stored for you. We don’t use promissory notes or other financial instruments. In all cases, this deals with physical goods.
It is hardly possible to be any more secure. Storage takes place in high secure vaults. The vault further expanded the impressive security architecture and security standards. With 1000 square metres of storage space, it offers optimum possibilities for storing precious metals. Of course, the building is monitored 24/7 by round the clock surveillance by personnel and cameras. An of course, your precious metals are 100% insured.
It’s your choice! If you would like to save up recurring fixed sums, then you can simply and quickly set up a savings plan under “myGoldDepot”. There you can decide on the amount and the billing date (invoiced on the 1st or 15th of every month). Then you transfer the pre-designated sum every month. The savings plan can be terminated at any time from EUR 1.
Would you like to save flexibly, with individual lump sums? This is not a problem – you can top up your savings plan account with any sum you like – from EUR 1 - save as much as you want, whenever you want. Simply buy vaulted gold via “myGoldDepot” whenever and however much you want. You have complete control and total flexibility.
Would you like to save flexibly, with individual lump sums? This is not a problem – you can top up your savings plan account with any sum you like – from EUR 1 - save as much as you want, whenever you want. Simply buy vaulted gold via “myGoldDepot” whenever and however much you want. You have complete control and total flexibility.
Thereafter, the fees are calculated on a percentage basis per quarter and invoiced. The fee is based on the value of the product stored and currently is 0,5% per quarter. A minimum fee of EUR 3,90 per savings plan and per precious metal is due.
- Which data is saved?
- How secure is my data?
- 3. What kind of encoding does Ophirum use when communicating over the Internet?
- Verification of applicant’s identity and business address
- Verification if the applicant has unlimited ownership over the domain or holds exclusive user rights
- Verification whether the applicant is authorised and that the legally-binding documents are signed by authorised signatories
Ophirum collects, administers and uses your personal data in accordance with the legal personal data protection provisions (Datenschutzbestimmungen). Ophirum saves your personal and transaction related data. You can find out more details relating to the type and extent of this in the data protection provisions.
Ophirum uses the saved or stored data for order processing, statistical evaluations and customer relations purposes. The data is, with the exception of the use of web analysis services, never passed on or shared with third parties without permission. You can find out more in the section on data protection.
Extended Validation is currently the most trustworthy encoding method in the world. Users can recognise it very quickly, as web browsers (including Internet Explorer 7, Firefox 3.0) display the address highlighted in green. These also contain the name of the company who owns the SSL certificate and the certifying authority. The user can immediately recognise that the transaction is encoded and that the company has been authenticated according to the most stringent requirements. Even the certifying bodies have to undergo an examination in order to be allowed to issue SSL certificates. The following criteria are tested prior to authorisation:
