IDS Texas Depository: Is It the Safest Place for Your Gold IRA? Full Review

What Is the IDS Texas Depository?

International Depository Services (IDS) of Texas is a private precious metals depository in Dallas, operated by Dillon Gage Metals, one of the largest wholesale precious metals trading and refining companies in North America. Dillon Gage has operated since 1976. IDS Texas opened in 2017 and relocated to a purpose-built, larger facility in 2019 to meet growing demand from gold IRA custodians and institutional clients.

For gold IRA holders, the core questions are: Is the facility IRS-approved? How is the metal stored? And which IRA dealers route clients there? This guide answers all three, based on data verified directly from the IDS and dealer websites in 2026.

The IDS Group: Three Facilities, One Parent

IDS Texas is one of three depositories operated under the IDS Group umbrella. Understanding the full group matters because different dealers may use different IDS facilities:

• IDS of Delaware (New Castle, DE): opened 2010 as Diamond State Depository. One of eight CME/COMEX-approved precious metals depositories in the United States. Also ICE (Intercontinental Exchange) approved. The most credentialed facility in the group.
• IDS of Canada (Mississauga, Ontario): opened 2013. One of eight IIROC-approved depositories in Canada (approved 2014).
• IDS of Texas (Dallas, TX): opened 2017, expanded 2019. LBMA Associate and NCBA member. Not COMEX approved, but fully IRS-approved for IRA storage.

All three facilities share the same vault classification (Class III UL-rated), the same insurer (Lloyd’s of London, 100% all-risk), and the same no-commingling storage policy. The Texas facility is the newest and the only one with cryptocurrency cold storage capabilities (launched 2018 for Bitcoin and Ripple; not applicable to IRA accounts).

Security Infrastructure

Vault Classification: Class III

The Underwriters Laboratories (UL) vault classification runs from Class M (15 minutes of forced-entry resistance) to Class 3 (2 hours). Class 3 is the highest rated classification in the residential vault category. IDS Texas uses Class 3 vaults at its Dallas facility.

In practice, this means the vault construction and locking mechanisms are rated to resist a forced entry attempt for a minimum of 2 hours under UL testing conditions. For context, most bank branches use Class 1 (30 minutes). Maximum-security precious metals storage facilities typically operate at Class 3.

Insurance: Lloyd’s of London, 100% Coverage

IDS Texas carries a 100% all-risk insurance policy through Lloyd’s of London. The coverage applies to all metals stored on-site and to metals in transit on outbound shipments from the facility. The specific policy dollar limit is not publicly disclosed by IDS, which is consistent with how most major depositories handle this information.

The 100% figure is what matters for IRA holders. Some depositories carry partial coverage (e.g., 80% or a fixed maximum per client account). A 100% all-risk policy means the full value of stored assets is covered, not a capped percentage.

Physical Security and Audit Procedures

IDS Texas operates with 24/7 surveillance monitored by off-site security specialists, armed police officers on-site during business hours, and a strict dual-control protocol for all vault access. Dual control means two authorized IDS employees must be present for any access event. The facility does not employ temporary or contract workers for vault operations.

Inventory audits run on two cycles: daily internal reconciliations and monthly external audits. The external audit firm is not publicly identified on the IDS website as of 2026. Audit documentation is available to account holders on request.

Accreditations

IDS Texas holds two industry-recognized accreditations:

• LBMA Associate (London Bullion Market Association): signals adherence to LBMA responsible sourcing guidelines for precious metals handling and chain of custody documentation.
• NCBA member (National Coin and Bullion Association, formerly ICTA): trade association membership for coin and bullion professionals in the United States.

One distinction that generates confusion: IDS of Delaware is COMEX/CME and ICE approved, giving it exchange-grade status for institutional futures delivery. IDS of Texas is not COMEX approved. For individual IRA holders, COMEX status is irrelevant. It matters for commodity traders and institutional counterparties, not for IRS-eligible retirement account storage.

Services for Gold IRA Holders

Storage Types: Segregated and Allocated Only

IDS Texas offers two storage formats, both of which maintain individual client asset separation:

• Allocated storage: Specific, individually identified bars or coins are assigned to your account. Serial numbers are tracked per client.
• Segregated storage: Your metals are physically separated from other clients’ holdings in a dedicated area of the vault.

Commingled storage (pooling similar metals from multiple clients) is not offered. This is a meaningful distinction from some lower-cost storage providers. In commingled storage, you own a fractional interest in a pool; in allocated or segregated storage, you own specific, identifiable physical assets.

IRA Account Eligibility and IRS Rules

The IRS requires that metals in a self-directed IRA be stored with an IRS-approved third-party depository, not in your personal possession. This is explicit in IRS Publication 590-A. IDS Texas qualifies as an approved storage facility under those rules.

Eligible metals must meet IRS purity minimums established by the Taxpayer Relief Act of 1997:

• Gold: 99.5% minimum fineness
• Silver: 99.9% minimum fineness
• Platinum: 99.95% minimum fineness
• Palladium: 99.95% minimum fineness

Common eligible products include American Eagle coins (gold and silver, which meet a special IRS exception for Eagles), Canadian Maple Leaf coins, and major bullion bars from LBMA-approved refineries. Jewelry, numismatic coins valued for rarity rather than metal content, and collectibles are not IRA-eligible. IDS’s own position is that eligibility depends solely on product purity, which aligns with the IRS framework.

Client Portal Access

Account holders at IDS Texas have 24/7 access to a proprietary online portal showing full inventory, transaction history, and account statements. This is standard at major depositories but not universal. Smaller or regional facilities sometimes still operate on paper-based quarterly statements. The real-time visibility matters for IRA holders who want to confirm holdings without relying on a custodian’s intermediary report.

Other Available Services (Not IRA-Related)

IDS Texas also serves commercial accounts for bullion dealers, mining companies, and mints; fulfillment accounts for metals inventory and logistics; and pool/master-sub accounts for institutional counterparties. In 2018, IDS Texas added cryptocurrency cold storage for Bitcoin and Ripple portfolios. This is noted for completeness: cryptocurrency is not IRA-eligible under current IRS rules for standard self-directed IRAs.

Which Gold IRA Dealers Use IDS Texas?

You do not choose IDS Texas directly as an IRA holder. The choice of depository is typically determined by your gold IRA dealer, which coordinates with your IRA custodian. Here is what Goldiew’s verified data shows about which dealers partner with IDS:

Birch Gold Group

Birch Gold publicly lists International Depository Services as one of its approved depositories, alongside Delaware Depository, Brink’s Global Services, Texas Precious Metals Depository, and Texas Bullion Depository. This is stated on birchgold.com and was verified in 2026. Birch Gold clients choosing IDS can select either the Delaware or Texas facility based on their preference.

Founded in 2011 and headquartered in Iowa, Birch Gold has served over 40,000 clients according to its public site. See Goldiew’s full Birch Gold Group review for a complete breakdown of fees, minimum investment, and customer ratings.

Noble Gold Investments

Noble Gold references a “Secure Texas Depository” as a storage option for IRA clients on its gold IRA pages (verified at noblegoldinvestments.com, 2026). Noble positions its Texas storage option as a differentiator, particularly for clients who prefer assets held in-state. Noble’s marketing notes that it has helped investors safeguard over $2.5 billion in wealth (Noble Gold Investments website, 2026).

See Goldiew’s full Noble Gold Investments review for a breakdown of Noble’s IRA process, depository options, and customer experience data.

What About Other Dealers?

IDS Delaware, the older and COMEX-approved sister facility, has broader dealer relationships across the industry. If a dealer mentions “International Depository Services” without specifying Texas or Delaware, ask which facility your metals would be stored in. These are physically separate locations with different accreditation profiles.

Compare all major gold IRA companies on Goldiew to see which dealers offer IDS Texas specifically and how their depository options fit into their overall service model.

Texas Advantages for Precious Metals Investors

No State Sales Tax on Precious Metals

Texas enacted a sales tax exemption for gold, silver, platinum, and numismatic coins in 2013 (Texas Tax Code §151.336). Jewelry is excluded from this exemption. This means bullion-grade metals purchased in Texas are not subject to the state’s 8.25% maximum combined sales tax rate.

On a $50,000 gold purchase, that exemption represents up to $4,125 in savings compared to a state where precious metals are taxed at the full rate. This is a transaction-level benefit. It applies when metals are purchased, not specifically because metals are stored in Texas. Consult your tax advisor for specifics on purchase and transaction tax treatment in your situation.

No State Income Tax

Texas has no state income tax. For IRA distributions, the primary tax implications are federal (ordinary income tax on traditional IRA distributions; Roth IRA distributions may be tax-free at the federal level after certain conditions are met). Texas’s lack of state income tax means there is no additional state layer on those distributions for Texas residents. This is not unique to precious metals IRAs; it applies to all retirement income in Texas.

Anti-Confiscation Legal Context

Texas passed the Texas Bullion Depository Act (Texas Government Code Chapter 2116) in 2015, establishing a state-level precious metals storage framework and language prohibiting interference with lawful precious metals transactions. Some investors view a Texas-based storage location as providing geographic and legal diversification. This is a policy context point, not a guarantee of a specific legal outcome.

Precious metals regulation is primarily federal. State laws operate within, not independently of, federal authority. Anyone making storage location decisions based on state legal frameworks should consult a licensed attorney and financial advisor first. We are not legal or financial advisors.

Pros and Cons for IRA Holders

How to Store Your IRA Gold at IDS Texas

Switching depositories after purchase requires a custodian-to-custodian transfer and may involve liquidation, repurchase, and additional costs depending on your custodian’s policies. Confirm your depository choice before initiating the purchase. We are not financial advisors; consult a licensed professional before making retirement account decisions.

IDS Texas vs. Other Major Depositories

Note: Delaware Depository Service Company (DDSC) in Wilmington and IDS of Delaware in New Castle are separate businesses. Both are in Delaware, neither is the other.

For most IRA holders, the practical question is not which depository is “best” in isolation, but which depository your chosen dealer works with. IDS Texas is available through Birch Gold and Noble Gold. If you want access to IDS Delaware’s COMEX credentials, Birch Gold also lists that facility as an option.

Frequently Asked Questions