> To sell your silver in France, two documents matter: a valid identity document, mandatory to present, and a named, dated purchase invoice, useful to opt, w *Source : https://meilleur-rachat-argent.fr/en/guides/documents-to-sell-silver/* --- ● Guide # What documents do you need to sell silver in France? Published on **13/07/2026** · By **Sébastien Joumel** In brief To sell your silver in France, two documents matter: a **valid identity document**, mandatory to present, and a **named, dated purchase invoice**, useful to opt, where relevant, for the capital-gains regime rather than the flat-rate tax. ## The identity document, essential Whatever the item sold, a professional precious-metals buyer must verify your identity. You will therefore need to present a valid identity document (national identity card, passport). The transaction is then recorded in the mandatory register kept by the buyer, sometimes called a police book, with the description of the item. This formality is not optional: it conditions the validity of the sale and protects both parties. A buyer who requires no identity and keeps no register is operating outside the legal framework. Payment, for its part, is made by bank transfer or cheque above the limits applicable to cash. To choose a registered buyer, see our [ranking of silver buyback professionals](https://meilleur-rachat-argent.fr/en/silver-buyback/). ## The purchase invoice, your tax key The named, dated purchase invoice is the document that opens the option for the capital-gains regime on movable property. Without it, this option is generally not possible and the flat-rate tax on precious metals applies by default, based on the sale price. So carefully keep any proof of purchase: dealer or refiner invoice, bar certificate, named receipt. These items allow you, with a professional's help, to compare the flat-rate tax with the capital-gains regime and its allowance for the holding period. Rates and exemption durations change: check the scale in force (official texts / service-public.fr / a tax adviser). To go further, read our guide [on the capital-gains regime and the allowance](https://meilleur-rachat-argent.fr/en/guides/precious-metals-capital-gains/). ## Special cases: inheritance and silverware When the silver comes from an estate, the sale follows the same rules: identity document, register, traceable payment. The frequent difficulty concerns the original purchase invoice, often untraceable. In that case, the capital-gains option is rarely available and the flat-rate regime applies. Estate documents may nonetheless be worth keeping. For solid silver (cutlery, hallmarked dishes), the value rests on the fine silver weight. Conversely, silver-plated metal has no metal value: the tax question is then moot on the metal side. So gather, as early as possible, your identity document and proofs of purchase to sell in the best conditions. ## Frequently asked questions Can I sell my silver without a purchase invoice? Yes, the sale is still possible with only an identity document. However, without a named purchase invoice, the option for the capital-gains regime is generally not open: the flat-rate tax then applies by default on the sale price. What documents should I keep for inherited silver? Keep any original purchase document if it exists, as well as the estate papers. The named purchase invoice remains the key to considering the capital-gains regime; failing that, the flat-rate regime applies. Check your situation with a professional. ## Read also [ Guide Capital gains on precious metals in France: regime and allowance ](https://meilleur-rachat-argent.fr/en/guides/precious-metals-capital-gains/)[ Guide Precious-metals tax in France: what applies to silver ](https://meilleur-rachat-argent.fr/en/guides/precious-metals-tax-silver/)[ Guide Can you be paid in cash for your silver in France? ](https://meilleur-rachat-argent.fr/en/guides/sell-silver-cash-payment/) ## Sell at the best price near you Compare the silver buyers in your city. [See the rankings](https://meilleur-rachat-argent.fr/en/silver-buyback/)