Under Japan’s Secondhand Dealers Act, secondhand goods refers to: Products that have been used; Unused products that have been traded for the purpose of use (i.e., product purchased or received by a person that is resold without being used); and Items that have been cleaned, maintained, or lightly repaired

There are currently 13 categories of products for which secondhand dealer license can be obtained.

Yes, if the business buys and resells secondhand goods, or conducts other regulated secondhand goods activities online. The requirement depends on how the goods are acquired and sold, not only on whether the sales channel is online. If the business uses a website or online sales page, the application needs to include documents showing the right to use the relevant URL or online page.

Where the office is leased, the police may check whether the premises can actually be used for the intended secondhand goods business. For shared offices or home offices, the arrangement should be checked in advance with the relevant police station. Few points should also be noted regarding office definition: For corporations, the registered head office and the licensed principal business location may be different. A sales-only site (no purchasing) may not be treated as a licensed “business location.” Storage-only facilities (warehouses, parking spaces, etc.) are generally not accepted as business locations.

Yes. A secondhand dealer must appoint one full-time manager for each business office. The manager is responsible for the proper implementation of the secondhand goods business at that office. For a sole proprietor operating alone, the applicant may also serve as the designated manager, and an additional employee is not usually required solely for this purpose.

Because the designated manager is responsible for proper operations at the office, they are expected to have appropriate knowledge and experience relating to secondhand goods dealing and prevention of stolen property transactions. In practice, where the business handles items such as antiques, jewelry, or automobiles, police officers may ask questions about the manager’s knowledge and experience. The required level depends on the items handled. For example, for automobiles, the manager is expected to be able to identify suspicious indicators, such as possible illicit goods or irregularities in a vehicle identification number. As a general reference point, this may be assessed by comparison to the knowledge typically held by someone with around three years’ experience in the relevant business. Managers are also expected to make ongoing efforts to build expertise, including attending training on secondhand goods and stolen property prevention. No spcific qualification such as diplomas are however requested.

For individual applications, both the applicant and the designated manager must not be subject to any of the disqualification criteria set out below. For corporate applications, none of the company’s officers nor the designated manager may fall under any of the disqualification criteria.

No. A Secondhand Dealer License has no expiry date and does not require renewal. However, the license may be revoked if the license holder does not commence business within six months after obtaining the license, or suspends business for six consecutive months or more and is found not to be operating.

The main obligations of the secondhand dealer after obtaining of the license are as follows:

Certain changes require filings after the license is obtained. Changes to the name or location of the principal business office or other business offices require prior notification by three days before the change. Other changes generally require notification within 14 days after the change, or within 20 days if a corporate registry certificate must be attached. The required procedure depends on the type of change, so it should be checked before making the change.

Yes. A secondhand dealer must keep records of regulated transactions. The required records generally include transaction date, item details, quantity, transaction type, counterparty information and identity confirmation details where applicable. For some low-value purchases, identity confirmation and record-keeping obligations may be exempt, but there are exceptions for certain goods. The applicable rule should be checked based on the item type and transaction amount.

When a secondhand dealer purchases secondhand goods without meeting the seller in person, the dealer must verify the seller’s identity using one of the methods permitted for non-face-to-face transactions. Depending on the transaction structure, permitted methods may include combinations such as: Receiving a copy or image of the seller’s identity document and sending a registered letter or similar document to the address shown on that identity document. Receiving a copy or image of the seller’s identity document and transferring payment to a deposit or savings account in the seller’s own name. Receiving an electronically signed application or transaction record using a valid electronic certificate. Using a prescribed identity confirmation service or platform-based identity verification method. For corporate sellers, confirming corporate registry information and verifying the authority of the person acting on behalf of the company. The appropriate method depends on the seller type, purchase channel, payment method and platform structure. The procedure should be checked before starting online purchase, mail-in purchase or other remote purchase operations.

As long as online application is possible, we may assist on application outside Tokyo.