Second-hand dealer register

Do you trade in second-hand or unregulated goods? In the Netherlands, traders in second-hand or unregulated goods must report to the municipality, and are legally obliged to keep a second-hand dealer register (opkopersregister, in Dutch). This also applies when you operate your business online.

The duty to report and the registration requirement for buyers/traders reduce the chances of you being guilty of receiving stolen goods. For criminals it makes it harder to sell stolen items. 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. In many municipalities you can register as a second-hand dealer through the Dutch-language digital second-hand dealer counter (Digitaal Opkopers Loket, DOL).

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 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. They will receive a notification automatically 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

Check with your municipality which goods you need to include in the second-hand dealer register.

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)

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. You must record the number, country of origin and type of ID of the seller in the second-hand dealer register.

Do you offer copper, copper cables, or copper alloys and do you want to be paid in cash? You must show a valid ID.