Secondhand goods dealers and pawn-style resale shops in Des Moines must register with DSMPD and report transactions through the LeadsOnline system to help recover stolen property.
Des Moines requires secondhand dealers buying used merchandise such as electronics, jewelry, tools, and metals to register with the Des Moines Police Department. Dealers must collect seller ID, photograph items, and upload daily transaction logs to LeadsOnline. A 7- to 14-day hold applies before resale to give DSMPD time to flag stolen property. Operators dealing in precious metals also fall under Iowa Code Ch. 537A pawnbroker rules. Failure to report transactions can result in license suspension and criminal charges.
License suspension, fines up to $750, simple misdemeanor charges for falsified records, and possible felony charges for knowingly handling stolen goods.
See how Des Moines's secondhand dealers rules stack up against other locations.
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.