Secondhand dealers and precious-metal buyers in Mobile must hold a business license, record seller identification, and report transactions to police to assist with stolen property recovery.
Mobile regulates secondhand dealers buying used goods, jewelry, electronics, or precious metals. Dealers must obtain a city business license, photograph or describe items, and record seller name, address, and government ID. Many transactions must be reported to the Mobile Police Department through a property database, and items are typically held for a hold period before resale to allow stolen-property checks. Alabama state law also imposes additional record-keeping for precious metal dealers under Title 8.
Failing to record seller information, skipping police reporting, or selling held items early risks fines, license revocation, and theft-receiving charges.
See how Mobile's secondhand dealers rules stack up against other locations.
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