Secondhand dealers operating in Fort Worth must register with the Fort Worth Police Department, follow Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1956 reporting on metal and used goods, hold purchases for mandatory waiting periods, and report transactions through state-mandated electronic reporting systems for theft recovery.
Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1956 governs Crafted Precious Metal Dealers and metal recyclers, requiring registration with the Department of Public Safety, daily transaction reporting, seller identification, fingerprinting, and a hold on purchased items before resale. Fort Worth Police Department Pawn and Property Crimes Unit registers local secondhand businesses, monitors transactions through LeadsOnline, and inspects records. Dealers must capture seller ID, photo or video of items, serial numbers, and transaction details, then upload data daily to the state-approved system. Items must be held for at least 72 hours (longer for jewelry and metals) before resale, melting, or alteration. Compliance helps recover stolen property and supports criminal investigations.
Failing to register, accepting items from unverified sellers, missing daily LeadsOnline uploads, altering items before the holding period ends, or refusing FWPD inspection triggers state and local citations, business closure, and theft-receiving charges.
See how Fort Worth's secondhand dealers rules stack up against other locations.
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