Le Freeport Singapore: Gold & Silver Vault Storage

Le Freeport is a high-security storage and display facility located in Singapore. Offering secure, discreet storage of high value assets (including fine arts, collectibles, and precious metals) it is an ideal choice for gold and silver storage in Singapore.

In this guide we take a look at Le Freeport, often dubbed Asia’s Fort Knox; what it is, what it offers, and why it matters for gold storage. At BullionStar, we operate our own vault facility within Le Freeport, providing secure, discreet, gold vault storage options for customers in Singapore and around the world.

What Is Le Freeport?

Le Freeport is Singapore’s premier high-security storage facility, located adjacent to Changi Airport. Located at 32 Changi North Crescent, Singapore, Le Freeport is within the Changi Logistics Centre.

The facility was originally designed to serve the fine art and collectibles market, but has become a key hub for gold bullion storage. Its proximity to Changi Airport, tax-free status, and secure design make it ideal for the long-term, secure storage of high-value assets like physical gold and silver bullion.

Opened in May 2010, the facility was originally called Singapore Freeport, before being rebranded to Le Freeport in 2016. The facility covers 30,000 square meters, and was designed and engineered by the Swiss architectural firm 3BM3, along the lines of the Geneva Freeport, with a sister facility later opening in Luxembourg in 2016.

The Freeport Model and Singapore’s Gold Market

Le Freeport’s tax-free status is one of the key reasons for its success. Assets stored within the facility are held outside of the Singapore Customs’ duty and GST framework, meaning gold can be imported, stored, and traded without triggering tax events, as long as it remains within the facility.

Le Freeport is not a free trade zone, but operates under Singapore Customs oversight via the ‘Zero GST Warehouse Scheme’. The construction of Le Freeport coincided with Singapore’s broader strategy to become a regional gold hub. The Singapore government’s removal of GST on Investment Precious Metals (IPMs) in 2012 made the city-state one of Asia’s most attractive locations for gold, silver and platinum storage, in addition to the political stability, rule of law, and geographic advantages it offered.

Le Freeport sits at the centre of this ecosystem, allowing gold to be imported, bought, and sold, all while remaining in storage and exempt from any tax, and has helped establish the modern dominance of the Singapore gold market.

Security and Infrastructure

In addition to the tax and administrative benefits, Le Freeport’s physical infrastructure and security measures make it an obvious choice for storing precious metals.

Security obviously plays a major role in any vault, and Le Freeport was designed from the start with this purpose. While converted buildings could have inherent weak points, every facet of Le Freeport was instead built to keep valuables safe and secure. Other security features include:

• 24/7 Security Monitoring – Round the clock monitoring by armed guards, with electronic monitoring of staff, clients and valuables.
• Back Up Power – Three back up power systems to protect from outages.
• Grade 9 Vault Doors – The highest tier of security grade for vault doors to protect against any burglary and professional attacks.

The facility’s proximity to the Changi Airport runway allows access for rapid, secure transfers, and even allows for guests to arrive directly via private jet for ultimate discretion. Being in the vicinity of the airport, means the area as a whole also enjoys additional security.

Le Freeport is also independent of Singapore’s central banking infrastructure, with assets being held privately, reducing any counterparty reliance and risk.

Gold and silver aren’t impacted by temperature in the way other assets may be, and pure gold would not be impacted by humidity either, but silver could tarnish more quickly if exposed to high humidity environments. Le Freeport’s humidity controls (55% relative humidity) will therefore help any silver stored there maintain its lustre over the year.

Storing Gold at Le Freeport with BullionStar

BullionStar operates its own vault at Le Freeport, meaning customers can store any of the gold, silver or platinum we sell directly through BullionStar within the facility. This is operated directly by BullionStar, and all goods are fully insured with Marsh, and underwritten by various syndicates at Lloyd’s of London. A full insurance certificate is available for download via customer accounts.

BullionStar’s vault at Le Freeport was originally built by Overseas Union Bank (now UOB), and is a steel-bar-reinforced concrete vault. In addition to the general security measures at Le Freeport, our vault also uses motion sensors, seismographic sensors, biometric scanners, high resolution cameras, and a one tonne vault door to protect our customer’s assets.

Customers can manage their BullionStar storage account 24/7 via our website, including buying, selling, or requesting withdrawal. Purchased items are held in BullionStar’s allocated vault space at Le Freeport, and remain entirely under the customer’s legal control. Physically allocated goods are tracked with a digital vault certificate detailing a customer’s holdings. Pictures of the specific goods allocated to you are also available, as well as carrying out independent audits of the vault holdings.

Customers can even visit our vault at Le Freeport to carry out an in-person audit of their goods, or collect items. Secure delivery can also be requested.

Storing Silver and Platinum at Le Freeport

Whilst gold is the most popular choice for vault storage at Le Freeport, BullionStar customers can also store silver and platinum bullion within our vault facility. All three metals can be purchased directly on the BullionStar website — including a wide range of silver bars, silver coins, platinum bars, and platinum coins — and stored securely at Le Freeport straight away. Whether you are building a diversified precious metals portfolio or adding to an existing holding, each metal is stored on an allocated basis under your full legal ownership, with the same insurance, digital vault certificates, and audit access that applies to gold storage.

Visit our Singapore vault storage page for more information, including a video tour of our vault at Le Freeport. Customers can select any of our products, including gold bars or gold coins, and opt for storage at Le Freeport.

Le Freeport vs Other Singapore Gold Storage Options

If you’re unsure whether to use Le Freeport or other gold storage options within Singapore, then below are some of the things to consider.

• Home Storage – Keeping your items at home gives you direct control and access to your items. Keeping high-value assets at home may have insurance and security risks associated with them. As such, this is typically the choice for small holdings only.
• Bank Vaults – Private banking clients at major banks such as UOB or DBS may have access to vault storage, and large national banks will normally have local branches available. Bank vaults however typically hold gold on an unallocated basis, with the gold held as the bank’s liabilities.
• Safe Deposit Boxes – A popular choice, safety deposit boxes are often available locally through banks or independent operators, and can hold a range of valuable goods. It is important to check their security processes and insurance however, as precious metals may not be covered.
• Le Freeport – Offers a purpose-built facility with institutional-grade security. With low storage fees available via BullionStar, this option is ideal for large holdings and international investors who are looking for a professional storage solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Le Freeport located in Singapore?

Le Freeport is located at 32 Changi North Crescent within the Changi Logistics Centre in eastern Singapore. It sits adjacent to Changi Airport and has a direct, secure access corridor to the airport’s runways, enabling rapid transfer of high-value assets.

Is gold storage at Le Freeport tax-free?

Gold stored within Le Freeport is held in a customs-supervised facility, meaning it is not subject to Singapore’s Goods and Services Tax (GST) or import duties as long as it remains within the facility. This applies to investment-grade gold bars and coins that qualify under Singapore’s Investment Precious Metals (IPM) scheme.

What is the difference between Le Freeport and a free trade zone?

Unlike a free trade zone, Le Freeport is not exempt from Singapore Customs oversight. It operates as a licensed customs warehouse. The key benefit is that assets can be stored long-term and even change ownership without triggering import duties or GST, as long as they remain physically within the facility.

Can I store gold at Le Freeport through BullionStar?

Yes, BullionStar operates its own vault at Le Freeport and offers allocated gold storage to customers. Gold is held in your name with full legal title, and you can arrange delivery, collection, or inspection by appointment.

What types of assets are stored at Le Freeport?

Le Freeport was originally designed for fine art, antiques, and high-value collectibles. Today, it also houses significant quantities of gold bullion and other precious metals, making it one of Asia’s most important facilities for institutional and private gold storage.

What are the storage fees for gold at Le Freeport through BullionStar?

Storage fees for gold at Le Freeport through BullionStar are 0.39% per annum for physical products, and just 0.09% per annum for gold grams held in our Bullion Savings Program. Storage charges are invoiced 1 March each year or when you sell or withdraw your bullion – whichever takes place first. View current storage fees.

Conclusion

Le Freeport is one of Asia’s leading facilities for precious metal vault storage, and one of the premier choices for storing gold in Singapore. From the physical design of the building, to the legislative framework surrounding it, it would be difficult to find a more secure place to store physical gold bullion.

If you have any questions about storing gold with BullionStar, please contact our team on support@bullionstar.com and our friendly team will be happy to provide further guidance.