How to buy gold from Costco

While a typical Costco run might include a $1.50 hot dog and bulk paper towels, the wholesale club is also known for its gold sales.

Since the start of 2026, gold prices have risen 15%, crossing $5,100 an ounce on Monday. The safe-haven investment has seen a record-breaking run as investors flock to the metal amid geopolitical tensions and concerns about diversification away from the dollar. Prices also tend to rise during periods of economic and political uncertainty.

Costco sells 24-karat, 1 Troy-ounce gold bars—the standard unit of weight for precious metals—online and in some U.S. warehouses. Brands include South Africa-based Rand Refinery and Switzerland-based PAMP, both highly regarded in the precious metal space.

Costco’s low gold markup can be stacked with its rewards program and credit cards to make the deal shine even brighter. However, you need to be a member to check the price.

Here’s what you need to know about buying gold from Costco, including the pros and cons and how to buy.

Gold, including the bars at Costco, follows a current value called a spot price. Gold’s price tends to rise and fall with the geopolitical climate and overall global economic conditions. In times of increased political and economic uncertainty, gold spot prices tend to rise.

Costco’s gold prices are tied to the spot price, but are still considered relatively affordable compared to other vendors. The wholesale club typically charges 1% to 2% above the spot price. That’s lower than what traditional gold dealers charge, which can mark up gold between 1% and 10%, according to gold dealer JM Bullion.

While Costco’s lower markup makes buying a gold bar more affordable, keep in mind that the spot price can still be high for an ounce.

If you want to buy gold from Costco, you must have a membership.

Costco offers two types: The most basic Gold Star membership is $65 per year and the Executive membership costs $130 per year, not including sales tax.

Costco’s most basic Gold Star membership is $65 per year, plus state sales tax. The Executive membership costs $130 per year plus tax, and includes perks that could be useful for frequent shoppers, like a 2% annual reward on all club purchases. Both tiers offer access to online and in-store shopping.

With a membership in hand, you can check the price for gold bars sold online. Bars are limited to one transaction per membership and a maximum of four units in 24 hours.

Standard shipping and handling via FedEx are included in the price of the gold bar. Costco states that most bars are delivered within three to five business days of ordering. However, the buyer needs to be present to sign for the package. Shipping is not available to Nevada or Puerto Rico.

Meanwhile, Executive members receive a 2% annual reward on all store purchases, which includes gold. Rewards certificates are issued as store credit to use on future purchases.

Given the high price of gold, that reward could be a sizable amount. If a customer bought gold at a spot price of $5,100, with Costco’s markup of 2%, the 2% reward would come out to just over $104.

But that’s not the only savings you can get: Members can also use the Costco Anywhere Visa® Card by Citi for cash back.

While this card does require you to have a paid membership with Costco, it has a $0 annual fee and earns cash back, including:

• 5% cash back rewards on gas at Costco, along with 4% cash back on other eligible gas and electric vehicle (EV) charging purchases for the first $7,000 combined spend per year, and then 1% thereafter.
• 3% cash back on restaurants and eligible travel purchases and eligible travel, including Costco Travel.
• 2% cash back on all other purchases from Costco and Costco.com
• 1% cash back on all other purchases

When combined with an Executive membership, this card would earn 2% cash back on top of the 2% executive rewards.

To be sure, once you’ve bought gold from Costco, it’s not returnable or refundable. If you change your mind in the future or want to sell your gold, you’ll need to work with a company that buys gold, like a gold dealer.

If you’re considering buying gold from Costco, make sure to consider these benefits and drawbacks.

If the recent spike in gold prices has piqued your interest, getting it from Costco isn’t the only way to go.

One of the drawbacks to buying gold from Costco is that there isn’t a built-in market for selling if you want to liquidate the asset—you’d need to find a buyer, such as a gold dealer.

If you’re concerned about the tax implications, storage complications and illiquidity of buying physical gold, a gold IRA could alleviate some of those worries.

Gold IRAs are a type of retirement account that’s limited to gold, platinum and other precious metals. They have the same withdrawal rules and contribution limits as a standard IRA, but also the same tax advantages — you can find Roth gold IRAs that allow tax-free withdrawals in retirement. You can purchase gold and other metals through this account, and the institution you invest with holds the metals on your behalf securely.

Some of CNBC Select‘s top picks for gold IRAs include Birch Gold Group for its transparent fees and American Bullion for its extensive educational resources.

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