Obligation to report transaction records for secondhand dealers

Updated: July 2025, 2

Obligation to record transactions

As a general rule, when buying or selling secondhand goods, any transaction worth 1 yen or more must be recorded in a ledger and kept for three years.

The ledger for recording may be an antique ledger (notebook) or a computer.

Violation of this obligation may result in criminal penalties.

Contents to be recorded

Cases in which the obligation to record transactions is exempted

1.If you are exempted from all recording obligations

・If the amount of used goods traded is less than 1 yen

*Transaction records are required for books such as motorcycles, mopeds, motorcycle parts (excluding screws such as bolts and nuts, and wiring), game software, CDs and DVDs, even if the price is less than 10,000 yen.

・When buying goods that you have sold from the same person

Transaction records are required when trading jewelry or precious metals worth 200 million yen or more in cash.

2.Records are exempt only in the case of a sale.

Items other than works of art, automobiles (including parts), watches/jewelry, and motorcycles (including parts) are exempt from the recording obligation only when sold.

Antique dealer’s duty to declare

If a secondhand goods dealer buys or exchanges secondhand goods, or is about to receive a consignment for the sale or exchange, and suspects that the secondhand goods are fraudulent, they must immediately report the matter to the police. It doesn't have to be.

If the other party to the transaction behaves suspiciously or if you suspect that the items brought in are stolen, you must report (report) to the police (theft crime section of the local police station).

For consultation regarding secondhand goods dealer licenses, please contact Support Administrative Scrivener Corporation.

At Support Administrative Scrivener Corporation, we provide application support and consulting regarding the Secondhand Goods Business Law for both those newly entering the secondhand goods business and those who are already licensed secondhand goods dealers.

We provide legal services related to secondhand goods sales based on the know-how and track record that we can accumulate because we are administrative scriveners who handle applications and negotiations with administrative agencies on behalf of companies on a daily basis.

Our staff has a track record of applying in all prefectures across the country. Please contact us by all means.

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