Wayne County pawnshops and secondhand goods dealers must register with Michigan State Police and report all transactions through the Leads Online database. Most municipalities also require local business licenses, holding periods, and ID verification of sellers to deter stolen-property fencing.
Michigan's Precious Metal and Gem Dealer Act (MCL §445.481+) and local secondhand dealer ordinances require licensed pawnshops, gold buyers, and used merchandise stores to record every transaction with seller ID, photo, and item description. Wayne County cities like Detroit, Dearborn, and Westland require electronic upload to Leads Online so police can search recent inventory against stolen property reports. Mandatory holding periods range from 10 to 21 days before resale. Detroit requires $500 annual licensing. Cash purchases over $200 may trigger additional reporting. Vehicles, firearms, and motor parts trigger stricter scrutiny under separate statutes.
Failure to record transactions or hold goods is a state misdemeanor with fines up to $1,000 plus license revocation. Buying stolen property exposes dealers to felony receiving charges.
See how Dearborn's secondhand dealers rules stack up against other locations.
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