Understanding Delaware Depository fees and charges is an important part of evaluating the total cost of owning physical gold, silver, platinum, or palladium—particularly within a self-directed Precious Metals IRA. The most important distinction is that Delaware Depository’s direct storage rates are not necessarily the rates charged through your IRA custodian.

What Is Delaware Depository?

Delaware Depository Service Company (DDSC) provides professional vault storage and safekeeping of precious metals, with U.S. facilities in Delaware and Nevada. Storage through a qualifying IRA requires coordination with the account custodian.

Delaware Depository Direct Storage Fees

Its publicly available non-commercial account schedule, revision R220301, provides the following figures. These are direct non-commercial account terms, not universal IRA pricing, and customers should confirm current rates before opening an account.

The direct-storage schedule calculates fees daily and bills semiannually. Read the official Delaware Depository non-commercial agreement and fee schedule.

What Does Delaware Depository Storage Cost Through CNB Custody?

CNB Custody’s published standard fee schedule (effective November 2025) lists different rates for metals held at Delaware Depository under its custodial arrangements:

The schedule states that storage fees can change without notice; pricing at the exact $500,000 threshold should be confirmed with CNB Custody. See the published CNB Custody fee schedule. It contains both non-qualified account and IRA-related sections; investors should confirm which terms govern their particular account.

Segregated vs. Non-Segregated Precious Metals Storage

Non-Segregated Storage

Metals are allocated to the account in the depository’s records but eligible fungible products may be stored alongside equivalent holdings owned by other customers. Individual coin years, packaging or original items may not be preserved.

Segregated Storage

Metals are physically set apart from other customers’ holdings, an arrangement designed for those seeking to retain specific physical coins or bars. It generally costs more due to additional vault space, handling and auditing.

Other Gold IRA Costs to Review

Depository storage is just one element of a Precious Metals IRA’s overall expense. Ask about custodian setup and maintenance fees, precious-metals purchase and sale processing charges, dealer premiums and buyback spreads, shipping and insurance, account termination fees, and any taxes or penalties associated with an IRA distribution. Prices and arrangements differ.

Illustrative Cost: $50,000 Precious Metals IRA

Using CNB Custody’s November 2025 published rates only as an illustration, a $50,000 account would incur $100 annually for non-segregated storage or $200 annually for segregated storage. Assuming unchanged rates and holdings, five years of storage would be $500 or $1,000, respectively. This example excludes all other fees and is not a quotation.

Are Precious Metals at Delaware Depository Insured?

Delaware Depository’s non-commercial agreement describes all-risk insurance subject to exclusions, reimbursement and valuation provisions. Collectible or premium-priced products may require special attention to declared-value provisions. Depository insurance is not FDIC deposit insurance and does not protect against market-price declines. Review your applicable coverage agreement.

Can You Take Delivery From a Gold IRA?

Physical distributions from an IRA should be arranged through the custodian and may have income-tax and early-distribution consequences. Consult a qualified tax adviser before instructing delivery or liquidation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Delaware Depository’s annual storage fees?

Its published direct non-commercial schedule states 0.50% for non-segregated storage and 1.50% for segregated storage; rates for custodial IRA clients may differ.

Does Delaware Depository charge for shipping?

Its direct-account schedule lists a $25 domestic handling charge per package, plus additional shipping-related costs where applicable.

Which is better: segregated or non-segregated storage?

The appropriate option depends on whether the investor prioritizes lower ongoing costs or separation of the original physical holdings.

Do storage fees change?

Yes. Both depository agreements and custodian schedules may be amended. Obtain written, current fees before a transaction.

For a broader explanation of trustee possession, vault arrangements and IRS rules, read our Gold IRA Storage Rules 2026 guide.

Explore Precious Metals IRAs With Limitless Metals

Limitless Metals helps customers explore eligible physical precious metals for direct delivery or through self-directed retirement accounts. Learn more about our Precious Metals IRA services and review our company, custodian and depository information.

Own something real.

Disclosure: Educational information only, not personalized investment, tax or legal advice. Limitless Metals is a precious metals dealer, not the custodian or depository. Published third-party rates may change and are not guarantees of fees available through Limitless Metals or a particular account arrangement. Precious metals prices fluctuate, and investors can lose money. Verify all applicable terms with the custodian and depository before investing.