Companies with physical metal to sell will normally deal directly with their customers or through merchants. Some LME members do have a physical department. The directors will also require that the metal meets all aspects of the LME contract specifications. The LME is not the natural source for physical metal. It is rather, a financial market, used mainly for limiting future price risk, supported by a delivery of last resort.
Consumers wishing to buy physical metal normally do so directly from producers or through merchants.
Some LME members do have a physical department. It should be noted that delivery is at seller's option and the location, production source and shape cannot be guaranteed. However, the metal will be of a brand and specification in accordance with LME rules and will be stored in an LME approved warehouse. The LME price is 'in warehouse' and the costs of taking up that metal will have to be met by the buyer. Contractural arrangements between brokers and their customers are on a principal to principal basis and are negotiable.