Bolivia Overhauls Gold Export Rules to Boost Dollar Reserves

The Government of Bolivia has overhauled its gold export regulations to increase US dollar inflows and boost deposits within domestic financial institutions. Under the new framework, gold exporters must prove to the mining and metals trade regulator, SENARECOM, that at least 80% of their export proceeds are deposited in Bolivian banks.

To facilitate this transition, the government scrapped a central bank certification requirement for shipping gold that had been in effect for three years. This reform aims to address a chronic shortage of hard currency and tighten state oversight of the gold trade.

The move follows a period of significant volatility in the sector. Gold exports slumped in 2024 after a 2023 law required sales to the state, though the industry recovered to reach $1.02 billion in the first five months of 2026.