What You Need to Know About LBMA Good Delivery Standards

In the world of precious metals, reputation and quality are everything. Whether you’re buying bullion for investment, trading in global markets, or studying industry standards, understanding LBMA Good Delivery, Good Delivery silver bar, and Good Delivery gold bars is essential.

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The London Bullion Market Association (LBMA) sets the benchmark for the quality and integrity of gold and silver bars traded worldwide. Its Good Delivery system ensures that bullion meets strict specifications for purity, weight, and production — a key reason these bars are universally accepted in international markets.

What Is LBMA Good Delivery?

LBMA Good Delivery is the most trusted quality standard in the precious metals market. It defines the physical, chemical, and aesthetic specifications that gold and silver bars must meet to be regarded as acceptable for settlement on the London bullion market and other major global trading platforms.

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When a refinery’s bars are on the LBMA Good Delivery List, buyers and sellers know they’re dealing with metals of consistent, verified quality.

The Good Delivery standard applies to both gold and silver bars, meaning:

• Good Delivery gold bars meet rigorous criteria for purity, weight, and appearance.
• Good Delivery silver bar specifications ensure uniformity and confidence in large-volume trading.

This system builds trust, removes uncertainty, and allows for seamless transactions between professional bullion traders, banks, and institutions worldwide.

Key Specifications for Good Delivery Bars

To qualify as Good Delivery, both gold and silver bars must conform to specific requirements set by the LBMA. These specifications help preserve liquidity, recognisability, and market acceptance.

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📌 Purity Requirements

• Good Delivery gold bars must have a minimum fineness of 995.0 parts per thousand (99.5% pure gold).
• Good Delivery silver bar purity must be at least 999.0 parts per thousand (99.9% pure silver).

These high purity levels ensure that buyers get real, valuable bullion every time. 

📌 Weight and Size Standards

• Good Delivery gold bars typically weigh between 350 and 430 troy ounces (approx. 12–14 kg).
• Good Delivery silver bars generally aim for a standard weight of 1,000 troy ounces (about 31.1 kg), with allowable tolerances.

Uniform weights help bullion traders, vault operators, and clearing systems handle bars consistently. 

📌 Physical Markings and Identifiers

Each Good Delivery bar must carry specific markings, including:

• The refinery’s registered trademark or stamp
• A unique serial number
• The year of manufacture
• The metal’s fineness

Clear markings make bar identification easy and help prevent fraud in bullion markets.

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Accredited Refiners and the Good Delivery List

Not every refinery can produce Good Delivery bars. Only producers approved by the LBMA — after rigorous evaluation — are added to the prestigious Good Delivery List. To qualify, refiners must demonstrate:

✅ High-quality refining processes

✅ A strong track record of consistent bar production

✅ Financial stability and responsible sourcing practices

✅ Compliance with global anti-money-laundering and ethical standards

Being on the Good Delivery List signals to investors and traders that a refinery’s bars are market-ready and trusted.

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Once approved, refiners are monitored annually to ensure they continue to meet the Good Delivery criteria. Falling below expectations can lead to removal from the list — but bars already produced while listed remain valid Good Delivery bars.

Why Good Delivery Standards Matter

💡 Market Confidence

When you hold a Good Delivery gold bar or Good Delivery silver bar, you’re holding a product that’s recognised and accepted in major markets worldwide. This level of trust is built on decades of industry standards and LBMA oversight.

💡 Ease of Trading

Good Delivery bars are highly liquid — meaning they can be easily bought, sold, or delivered against bullion market contracts without further verification. This is especially true in London, where the Good Delivery system originates. 

💡 Global Recognition

Institutions such as central banks, bullion merchants, and professional investors prefer Good Delivery bars for large transactions because they reduce risk and streamline settlement.

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Good Delivery vs. Investment-Grade Bullion Bars

It’s important to distinguish between Good Delivery bars and smaller investment bullion products like 1 oz gold coins or 100 oz silver bars:

✨ Good Delivery gold and silver bars

• Made for professional markets
• Large format, high weight
• Strict industry standards 

✨ Investment bullion bars

• Designed for individual investors
• Smaller sizes, retail-friendly
• Not necessarily Good Delivery certified

Both have their place, but Good Delivery bars remain the standard for institutional-level trading and settlement.

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Final Thoughts: The Value of Good Delivery Bars

The LBMA Good Delivery standard is the benchmark of trust in the global bullion market. Whether you’re seeking Good Delivery silver bar quality or exploring Good Delivery gold bars for institutional trading, these standards ensure consistency, purity, and worldwide acceptance.

Understanding these benchmarks helps you make smarter decisions in precious metals investing and trading — and ensures you’re dealing with bullion that meets the highest global market expectations.

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