Platinum and palladium are less widely traded as bullion than gold and silver. That shapes how you should read a price.
Premiums
For a 1 oz bar the calculator treats up to 4% over spot as good and up to 8% as fair for platinum, and up to 5% and 10% for palladium. Larger bars get tighter limits and small ones wider limits. These are rough guides and less established than the gold and silver limits, so compare several dealers.
VAT
In the UK, platinum and palladium normally carry 20% VAT, unlike investment gold. Compare prices before VAT, then look at the all-in cost.
Resale
Because the market is smaller, the gap between the price a dealer sells at and the price they buy back at can matter more than with gold. Ask what the dealer would pay for the bar today, and compare it with spot.
What to check
- The bar comes from a recognised refiner, with weight and purity stamped on it.
- Whether the price includes VAT, and the delivery cost.
- Whether the dealer has a clear buy-back policy.
- That the bar is sealed in its original packaging where relevant.
See the bar size guide for how limits change with size, and the VAT guide.
Check a platinum barNot financial advice. See the terms.