If you want to deal in second hand goods you need to be registered with us by completing the following online form:
Register as a dealer in second hand goods
Alternatively you can download and complete the
and return to:Licensing Services, Environmental Health, Town Hall, Lancaster Road, Preston,PR1 2RL or email to licensing@preston.gov.uk.
You do not need to be registered if your business involves mainly the supply of new, unused goods and a small percentage of second-hand goods.
Also, if you occasionally sell second hand goods and it is not your business (or living) then you do not need to be registered. For example, selling unwanted household goods at a car boot sale.
Yes, if the following applies:
Yes, there is a one off registration fee which is currently £30.
The registration lasts until you surrender it or it is revoked by us. There is no renewal process.
Yes you are, at your business premises and it is an offence not to do so.
You should keep a copy with you at the places you do business as a second hand goods dealer.
If you change your name or address please inform us by completing the
and return to:Licensing Services, Environmental Health, Town Hall, Lancaster Road, Preston,PR1 2RL or email licensing@preston.gov.uk.
In such circumstances please return your existing Registration Certificate to us and we will issue you an amended one free of charge.
Please inform us so a replacement can be issued, by completing the
and return to:Licensing Services, Environmental Health, Town Hall, Lancaster Road, Preston,PR1 2RL or email licensing@preston.gov.uk.
This service is free of charge.
The registration scheme is governed by the County of Lancashire Act 1984. The main requirement is to keep a book and enter the following information about all your transactions:
Please note that it is an offence not to comply with the above requirement.
It should be bound (hard-backed) and contain consecutively numbered pages.
You must keep the book(s) for 2 years from the date of the last transaction or entry made in it.
They will be invited to register themselves but if they do not do so within a reasonable amount of time and continue to carry on business as a second hand goods dealer we will consider prosecution proceedings.
Yes. This means that you will be able to act as a second hand goods dealer as soon as a registration application has been submitted to us.
We will try and issue the Registration Certificate to you within 5 working days of receiving a valid application.
If there is a problem with your application, such as missing details, we will try and contact you, but as long as the application is valid all applicants will be registered.
We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form of a letter (with proof of delivery).
If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Citizens Advice will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.