A UK safety deposit box provides a secure method for storing your most valuable items. Not all items can be placed in these boxes, as there are definite rules. Below is an extensive breakdown of what you can and cannot keep in safe deposit lockers.
What You Can Store
Some common items are:
- Jewellery and Precious Metals: Rings, necklaces, watches, gold, silver, platinum, and other precious metals can be stored due to their high value.
- Family Heirlooms and Keepsakes: Medals, old coins, rare stamps, and mini artworks are popular items, particularly those with sentimental value.
- Essential Documents: Below are some important documents you may want to keep in a safety deposit box.
- Deeds and mortgage documents
- Birth, marriage, and death certificates
- Passports and citizenship papers
- Insurance policies and personal property inventories
- Business contracts, records, and other legal documents
- Copies of Wills and Powers of Attorney: Original wills are not advisable, as they may be required at short notice after death; however, copies can be kept in secure safety boxes.
- Financial Instruments: Stock certificates, bonds, certificates of deposit, and other financial records that cannot be easily replaced.
- Digital Media: Hard drives or other digital storage devices that contain backups or sensitive data are also permitted, provided they do not contain banned material.
- Spare Keys: For homes, vehicles, or safes, spare keys are a practical item to keep in a secure location.
Things You Should Never Store in a Safety Deposit Box
UK safety deposit box providers adhere to strict regulations to guarantee security, legality, and compliance with financial rules. The following is strictly prohibited from being stored:
- Illegal Goods: Anything illegal in the UK, such as goods gained through crime or representing proceeds of crime (e.g., cash from fraud, tax evasion, or drugs).
- Weapons and Explosives: Guns, knives or any device or material that might be used as a weapon or cause harm.
- Dangerous Substances: This includes flammable, radioactive, toxic, corrosive, or otherwise hazardous chemicals and substances.
- Drugs and Controlled Substances: Any form of illegal drugs or prescription drugs not legally owned.
- Living Organisms and Perishables: Plants, plant matter, animals, animal food, or any perishable goods are not allowed.
- Original Wills or Estate Documents: Storing original wills is discouraged, as they may be required urgently for probate.
- Items Requiring Special Storage Conditions: Items that need refrigeration, controlled humidity, or other special environments are not suitable for standard safe deposit lockers.
Can You Store Cash in a Safety Deposit Box?
You can legally store cash in a UK safety deposit box. The law says that if you can prove the origin of the cash is lawful, then you have nothing to fear in ‘hiding’ cash in a safety deposit box. Most banks do not allow customers to keep cash, but private safety deposit box providers sometimes permit it. You must comply with anti-money laundering requirements and provider conditions to do so, however.
Get Premium Security and Peace of Mind with UK Safe Deposit
UK Safe Deposit Lockers Ltd. offers highly secure safety deposit boxes in London, protected by advanced biometric fingerprint access, unique PIN codes, and 24/7 high-definition CCTV monitoring. Regulated by the FCA, we prioritise your privacy, confidentiality, and peace of mind.
Choose us for flexible access, multilingual staff, and affordable, varied box sizes-all in a convenient central location. Only lawful items are permitted, which ensures full compliance and maximum security for your valuables. Whether you need temporary or long-term storage, we can safeguard your most precious possessions with professionalism and trust.
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