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.
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