Second-hand dealer register

Do you trade in second-hand or unregulated goods that are at risk for theft in the Netherlands? You must report to your municipality. And you must register the purchase and sale of your goods in a second-hand dealer register. This also applies if you run your business online.

These requirements are intended to make it harder for criminals to sell stolen items. And it reduces the chances you sell or buy stolen goods. If you do not meet the reporting and registration obligation, you may be fined. Selling stolen goods is a punishable offence.

Report to the local authorities

As a trader in second-hand goods, you must report to the municipal authorities. You can register for the Dutch-language digital second-hand dealer counter (Digitaal Opkopers Loket, DOL) through your municipality.

Keep track of second-hand items

You are required to register the second-hand goods you purchase in a second-hand dealer register. You can keep a paper register yourself asl long as it is certified by the municipality, or use the digital second-hand dealer register (Digitaal Opkopers Register, DOR, in Dutch).

The DOR is linked to reports of stolen goods. The police and special investigating officers (BOA’s) check and use the DOR. The police will automatically receive a notification when stolen goods are detected.

Which goods need to be in the register?

Examples of goods you need to record in the second-hand dealer register are:

• photographic, filming, radio, audio and video equipment
• jewellery and clocks
• precious metals (gold, silver, platinum)
• arts and antiques
• mobile phones, laptops, tablets
• cars, motorcycles, bicycles and parts thereof
• imported vehicles
• unregistered vehicles

Are you unsure if you need to register certain goods in the second-hand dealer register? If so, you can contact your municipality (in Dutch).

What do you need to register?

You should, for example, specify the following in the second-hand dealer register:

• a description of the goods, such as brand, type, serial number
• date obtained
• purchase price
• the seller's details (name and address)

If your local authority requires a sales register, the date of resale and the resale price must also be recorded.

Retention period

Most local authorities impose a retention period of 5 working days. This means that you must keep second-hand goods you have purchased in their original condition for that period of time before reselling them. Some local authorities impose a longer retention period.

Compulsory identification in copper trading

Copper and copper alloy trading is subject to compulsory identification. As a second-hand dealer, you must ask your customer to show a valid ID if they buy copper from you and they want to pay in cash. You must record the number, country of origin, and type of ID of the seller in the second-hand dealer register.