San Antonio secondhand dealers, including used-jewelry buyers, used-merchandise stores, and metal recyclers, must register under Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1956 and report transactions to SAPD's Pawn Detail through LeadsOnline within 48 hours to support stolen-property recovery.
Texas Occupations Code Chapter 1956 governs metal recycling and Chapter 1802 covers used-merchandise dealers across San Antonio. The SAPD Pawn Detail administers the local reporting framework, requiring dealers to record seller identification, take a thumbprint, photograph each item, and electronically transmit transaction data to LeadsOnline within 48 hours. Items must be held at least 14 days before resale to allow stolen-property checks against police reports. Metal recyclers face additional restrictions on cash payments for regulated material such as catalytic converters, copper wire, and stainless beer kegs; all such purchases require certified-fund payment under Section 1956.038. State preemption limits San Antonio to enforcement and reporting roles; the city does not issue a standalone secondhand-dealer permit beyond what state law authorizes.
Failing to record sellers, skipping LeadsOnline reporting, paying cash for restricted metals, or selling within the 14-day hold period triggers Class A misdemeanor charges, civil penalties up to $10,000 per violation, and DPS license suspension for metal recyclers.
See how San Antonio's secondhand dealers rules stack up against other locations.
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