Kent County Council Act - Sales of second hand goods

What is the KCC Act?

If you deal in second hand goods in Kent you need to know about this legislation as you will probably need to be registered unless you fall into one of the exempt categories. We have prepared a detailed guidance note which should answer any questions you may have.

The Act aims to regulate the trade in secondhand goods and to make it more difficult for criminals to dispose of stolen property because dealers in second hand goods need to be registered and to keep records. Legitimate traders have nothing to fear from the Act, and in fact stand to gain in both trade and reputation as dishonest traders are forced out of the market.

The legislation also affects occasional sales (which includes events such as boot fairs, markets and one day sales).

The Act was promoted by Kent Trading Standards, on behalf of the County Council, and with the co-operation and support of Kent Police. An identical Act was promoted by Medway Council so the same provisions apply throughout the whole geographical county of Kent.

 

What sort of things have to be recorded?

The following are categories of goods which must always be recorded:

Electrically or battery powered goods OR any medium on which sound images or other data may be stored or recorded and which is intended for use with any such goods

The following categories of goods must be recorded if, in the reasonable opinion of the dealer at the time of the transaction, they are to be sold or offered for sale for more than £10

• Vehicle parts
• Jewellery
• Watches
• Photographic equipment
• Sports equipment
• Equestrian equipment
• Boating equipment
• Musical equipment
• Tools
• Bicycles
• Optical equipment
• Firearms
• Gardening equipment

All goods not previously mentioned in the categories above must be recorded if, in the reasonable opinion of the dealer at the time of the transaction, they are to be sold or offered for sale for more than £50

 

Contacting us

If you need more information or specific advice on any aspect of registering as a dealer or the requirements relating to occasional sales you can contact us by:-

email at kentact@kent.gov.uk

Phoning our Registration & Information Centre on 01622 221012
(weekdays 9.00am - 5.00pm)

or Writing to us at:
Trading Standards, Invicta House, County Hall, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 1XX