Secondhand Dealer Licence

A Secondhand Dealers Licence is required to operate a business buying and/or selling certain types of second-hand goods in Edinburgh.

Do I need a Licence?
Yes.  If you wish to run a second-hand business of the following types: 

• Stamp dealers;
• Second-hand book dealers;
• Antique dealers;Second-hand jewellery dealers;
• Second-hand car dealers;
• Second-hand clothes dealers;
• Dealers in second-hand furniture and/or electrical and gas goods; and
• Dealers in second-hand general goods.

However, a licence is not required for:

• a pawnbroker;
• a business as a wholesale dealer purchasing exclusively from licensed second-hand dealers;
• a charity entered in the Scottish Charity Register;
• a dealer in second-hand goods or articles incidental to another business not being a dealer in such goods or articles;
• a business either of financing the acquisition of goods by means of hire-purchase agreements, conditional sale agreements or credit sale agreements or of financing the use of goods by means of hiring agreements.

Are you eligible to apply?
Any person who wants to sell second hand goods must make an application to operate a second-hand dealers business.

How do I Apply?
Applicants must complete the application form and submit it to the Licensing Section along with the standard fee.  You can also make and pay for an application on-line at ELMS

An application must be:  

• In writing (including electronically).
• Be signed by the applicant (including digital signature).
• Contain the applicant's name, address and also those of any employee who will manage the activity on a day-to-day basis and the area in which the activity is to be carried out.
• If you use premises you may have to display a site notice.

What does it cost?
Fee List   - fees are non refundable.

What information do I need to provide?
The information requested on the application form and the appropriate fee

How is the application dealt with?
On receipt of a completed application form, accompanied by the appropriate fee, a copy of the application form will be sent to the Chief Constable, where the activity is mainly carried out in premises, the Lothian and Borders Fire and Rescue Service.  The application form is also sent to two Council departments - Services for Communities and City Development

The authority will keep a record electronically of the receipt of the application, the final decision, reasons for the decision, details of the terms of the licence and keep a record of any suspensions, variations of terms and surrender of licence.