No, not freely. In France, the purchase of precious metals by a professional is settled by bank transfer or cheque: cash payments are prohibited or strictly capped for these transactions. Payment in cash alone for a large amount should raise concern.
French regulations govern the payment of precious-metal purchases made by professionals. For these transactions, cash payment is prohibited or heavily capped: the professional pays by bank transfer or cheque. This rule aims to ensure the traceability of flows and to fight against receiving stolen goods and money laundering.
In practice, a serious dealer or jeweller will therefore offer you a transfer or a cheque, never a bundle of banknotes for a bar or a batch of coins of a certain value. The exact cap applicable to cash may change: check the threshold in force (official texts / service-public.fr / an adviser). The key is to remember the mechanism: above a certain amount, cash is not accepted.
Beyond the legal obligation, traceable payment protects the seller. It documents the transaction, provides proof of the amount received and, where relevant, facilitates the tax follow-up of the operation. The professional, for their part, verifies your identity (identity document) and records the sale in their mandatory register, sometimes called a police book.
A buyer who insists on paying a large amount entirely in cash, or who refuses to verify your identity and keep a register, is operating outside the legal framework. This is a strong warning sign: it is better to walk away and choose an identified professional. Our ranking of silver buyback professionals helps you spot registered players.
In practice, be ready to provide bank details for the transfer, or to receive a cheque. Bring a valid identity document, as presenting it is mandatory. These formalities are normal and reflect the buyer's seriousness, not distrust towards you.
The payment method is independent of taxation: whether you are paid by transfer or by cheque, the applicable regime remains the flat-rate tax by default, or the capital-gains regime by option with an invoice. To understand these two regimes, see our guide on the documents needed to sell your silver.
No. For precious-metal purchases by a professional in France, cash is prohibited or capped: settlement is by bank transfer or cheque. The exact threshold may change and should be checked against official texts or with an adviser.
Payment entirely in cash for a large amount is a warning sign: it may place the transaction outside the legal framework. Prefer a professional who verifies your identity, keeps a register and pays by bank transfer or cheque.