East Brunswick, NJ Business Licensing & Operations: Secondhand Dealers (2026)

Chapter 135, Article VIII covers dealers in precious metals and secondhand goods. Secondhand goods are defined broadly as used goods such as antiques, gold, silver, jewelry, coins, tools, telephones, computers, television sets, electronic devices, musical instruments, sporting goods, firearms, cameras, furniture and clothing. The definition excludes judicial sales, sales by executors or administrators, occasional or auction sales of household goods sold from private homes, auctions of real estate and the occasional hobby sale of coins or stamps. Advertising that such goods are being bought anywhere in East Brunswick Township counts as engaging in business as a dealer. Transient buyers, meaning dealers not in a registered retail business continuously for at least six (6) months at an address in the Township, face the same licensing and reporting requirements.

The Chief of Police investigates each applicant within thirty (30) days, looking at experience, reputation for fair dealing and criminal record, with an FBI fingerprint check repeated on a triennial basis. The Municipal Clerk grants or denies the license on the Chief's recommendation, and a bond is required under § 135-61.2. A license is valid for a one-year period January to December 31st (§ 135-61.3).

Dealers must require acceptable identification and a signed Declaration of Ownership from each seller, issue a sequentially numbered receipt, photograph the seller and each item, and enter every reportable transaction into the electronic database authorized by the Chief of Police by the close of business on the same date. Records are kept at least five years. Goods stay available for police inspection for at least fifteen (15) calendar days, and jewelry, gold, silver and precious metals for at least fifteen (15) business days. A dealer cannot buy from anyone under 16 without prior notification to the Chief of Police.