Pawnbrokers and secondhand merchants in DC must hold a Secondhand Dealer license, report acquisitions to MPD's electronic property system, and hold purchased goods for at least 18 days before resale.
DC Code 47-2839 et seq. and Title 24 of DCMR govern Secondhand Dealer licensing through the Department of Licensing and Consumer Protection. Pawnbrokers face additional requirements under DC Code 47-2820 including separate bonding. Dealers must record seller name, address, government ID, and a description of each item, then upload daily transaction reports to MPD's LeadsOnline system. Items must be held without alteration for an 18-day inspection window so MPD can identify stolen property. Surety bonds, inventory storage in DC, and conspicuous display of the license are required.
Operating without a license, falsifying records, or reselling within the holding period exposes dealers to license revocation, criminal misdemeanor charges, fines, and forfeiture of inventory.
See how Washington's secondhand dealers rules stack up against other locations.
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