Content sourced from and aligned with AUSTRAC guidance and regulatory requirements.
Precious Items • ARCaml • AUSTRAC Tranche 2
ARCaml for Precious Metals: Compliance Without the Headache
If you sell bullion, jewellery, or precious stones, Tranche 2 is about to land on your counter. Starting July 2026, you'll need to:
Verify customer identity on eligible transactions Check for PEPs and sanctions exposure Assess money laundering risk Keep records for seven years
The $10,000 Threshold: Cash or Virtual Assets Only
From 1 July 2026, dealers in precious metals, stones, and products have AML/CTF obligations when transactions reach $10,000+ in physical currency or virtual assets (cryptocurrency). Card payments and bank transfers do NOT trigger obligations.
Precious Metals
Alloys containing 2%+ by weight:
- • Gold, Silver, Platinum
- • Iridium, Osmium, Palladium
- • Rhodium, Ruthenium
Bullion, coins, bars, scrap all qualify
Precious Stones
Gem quality substances for jewellery:
- • Diamonds, Rubies, Sapphires
- • Emeralds, Opals, Pearls
- • Jade, Topaz & others
Industrial-grade stones excluded
Precious Products
Articles made from precious materials:
- • Jewellery (rings, necklaces, etc.)
- • Watches, personal adornments
- • Goldsmith wares, decorative items
New and second-hand items
Linked Transactions Rule
If a customer makes multiple purchases that appear linked, the combined value counts toward the $10,000 threshold:
- • Same customer, close timing
- • Apparent structuring to avoid threshold
- • Related purchases across different stores
Mixed Sales Rule
When selling precious items with non-precious items:
- • Total transaction value determines threshold
- • Not just the precious portion
- • Example: $9k watch + $1.5k accessory = $10.5k triggers obligations
Customer Red Flags
- • Large cash purchases without haggling
- • Customer appears nervous or rushed
- • Multiple transactions just under $10k
- • Reluctant to provide identification
- • No interest in certificates/authenticity
Transaction Red Flags
- • Requests to split into smaller amounts
- • Buying and selling same items rapidly
- • Paying significantly over market value
- • Third party pays or collects goods
- • Unusual delivery/shipping requests
Source of Funds Red Flags
- • Cash doesn't match customer profile
- • Evasive about where cash came from
- • Cryptocurrency from unknown wallets
- • Mixed payments to avoid threshold
- • Buying for unnamed third party
Key Dates for Precious Items Dealers
- 31 March 2026: AUSTRAC enrolment opens
- 1 July 2026: AML/CTF obligations commence
- 29 July 2026: Enrolment deadline (within 28 days of first designated service)
How ARCaml Solves Your Compliance Challenge
ARCaml is a CDD as a Service platform that handles your customer due diligence for threshold transactions so you can focus on your business.
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Identity Verification
Automated KYC for customers making $10k+ cash or crypto purchases
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Threshold Tracking
Track linked transactions to identify when $10k threshold is triggered
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Source of Funds
Document where cash or cryptocurrency is coming from
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PEP & Sanctions
Screen customers against global PEP and sanctions lists
Precious Metals & Stones Starter Kit
Download your sector-specific starter kit to help you meet your AML/CTF obligations under AUSTRAC.
Compliance Roadmap
Your AML/CTF Compliance Journey
Step-by-step guidance for precious metals and stones dealers.
Subscribe to ARCaml
Step 1Sign up for ARCaml's CDD as a Service. We'll configure your account for precious metals & gems dealer compliance requirements.
Send your customers link from ARCaml
Step 2Before transacting, send your customers through our secure portal. We handle the entire KYC/KYB verification process.
Verify identity & ownership
Step 3ARCaml verifies identities, checks beneficial ownership structures, screens against PEP & sanctions lists — all AUSTRAC compliant.
Get compliance pack
Step 4Receive an audit-ready compliance pack confirming your due diligence is complete. Store it with your transaction records.
Complete your transaction
Step 5Proceed with confidence on your sales. ARCaml retains records for 7 years — audit and regulator ready.
Annual Subscription
Simple, transparent pricing with flexible credit-based usage.