In this guide · 8 sections
- 01Does the secondhand dealer licence apply to online stores?
- 02Applying for the SPF secondhand goods dealer licence
- 03Transaction records and ID checks
- 04Screening goods in SHOTS before you buy or sell
- 05Collecting ID details under the PDPA
- 06Authenticity claims and product listings
- 07Do it yourself or get help?
- 08Frequently asked questions
Short answer
Yes. Dealing in listed goods (phones, computers, cameras, watches, gold or gem jewellery) needs an SPF secondhand goods dealer licence, even if you only sell online. Record each buyer's and seller's details, screen goods in SHOTS and keep records for five years.
Does the secondhand dealer licence apply to online stores?
Yes. The Secondhand Goods Dealers Act 2007 says a person who deals in secondhand goods includes "a person in Singapore who deals in secondhand goods through the Internet". Its definition of a dealer's "shop" includes premises from which the business is carried out "whether electronically or otherwise". Section 4 says nobody may deal in secondhand goods without a licence.
The Act only covers goods listed in its Schedule. Selling used clothes, furniture or designer handbags isn't covered by this licence, though other laws still apply.
| Covered by the Act (Schedule) | Not on the list (examples) |
|---|---|
| Cameras, video and photographic equipment, including lenses | Designer handbags and fashion |
| Computers, tablets, laptops and computer accessories | Furniture and home appliances |
| Handphones and smartphones | Books, toys and collectibles |
| CD and MP3/MP4 players | Clothing and shoes |
| Watches | Bicycles (unless they are metal fixtures under item 10) |
| Jewellery set with precious stones; platinum, gold and white gold jewellery | Costume jewellery without precious metal or stones |
| Pawn tickets; copper cables and wires; certain copper, steel, aluminium or brass fittings | Musical instruments and sports gear |
If you sell precious-metal jewellery, separate anti-money-laundering rules for precious stones and metals dealers may also apply; see our jewellery online store guide. This is general information, not legal advice.
Applying for the SPF secondhand goods dealer licence
The Singapore Police Force runs the licence. Its licence page says applications from 1 December 2025 must be made through the GoBusiness portal.
Confirm which goods you'll deal in
List the Schedule items you buy or sell (for example handphones and computers). The licence and screening duties depend on them.
Apply through GoBusiness
Submit the application with your business details, premises and the URL and email you use for the online business.
Choose the licence period
The Secondhand Goods Dealers Rules allow an ordinary licence of one or two years, or a temporary licence of up to 30 days.
Get approval before changing your website or name
The Rules require prior written approval from the Licensing Officer before changing the business name, address, or any URL or email address used for the business.
Report other changes within 7 days
Other changes to particulars in your application must be notified within 7 days.
The Act's general penalty is a fine of up to S$20,000, imprisonment of up to 12 months, or both. Our licence to sell online guide covers other licences that online stores commonly need.
Transaction records and ID checks
Section 10 of the Act and rule 7 of the Secondhand Goods Dealers Rules set out what you must record for every purchase and sale, on the same day.
What each transaction record needs
Rule 8 requires the dealer to check the person's original identification document before buying from or selling to them, and confirm the photo matches. Records must be kept for at least five years from the end of the financial year, and produced on demand to the police.
Screening goods in SHOTS before you buy or sell
Rule 10 requires dealers to screen certain goods through the police's Secondhand Goods Transaction Records System (SHOTS) before buying or selling them. If screening shows an item is stolen or lost, you must report it to the police, give them the seller's particulars and take reasonable steps to hold the item.
- Handphones (item 3): screening required since 1 November 2013.
- Cameras, computers and CD/MP3 players (items 1, 2 and 4): since 1 January 2014.
- Watches (item 8): since 31 July 2023.
A 2023 exemption order removes the record-keeping and screening duties for watches bought or sold at a transaction price below S$1,000. The licence requirement itself still applies.
Collecting ID details under the PDPA
The PDPA generally restricts collecting NRIC numbers, but there is an exception where the law requires it, and the Secondhand Goods Dealers Rules do. That doesn't mean collecting more than the law needs or storing it carelessly. Our NRIC collection guide explains the rules.
Good practice
- Collect only the particulars rule 7 lists, for listed goods
- Explain in your privacy notice that the Secondhand Goods Dealers Act requires it
- Store records in an access-controlled system, not a shared spreadsheet
- Delete records after the five-year retention period ends
- Limit staff access to those who handle transactions
Avoid
- Asking for NRIC on a general enquiry or newsletter form
- Photocopying IDs when the law only needs the details checked and recorded
- Sending ID photos over personal WhatsApp accounts
- Keeping records forever "just in case"
- Collecting ID for unlisted goods like handbags
Authenticity claims and product listings
Pre-owned buyers care most about whether an item is genuine and in the condition described. Your listings should describe what you've actually checked.
- Show the condition grade and explain what each grade means.
- State battery health for phones and laptops if you've measured it.
- Say "authenticated by" only if you or a named service actually authenticated the item, and keep the record.
- Don't use brand logos in a way that suggests you are an authorised dealer unless you are.
- State your warranty and return terms clearly.
Do it yourself or get help?
The licence application and SHOTS screening are your responsibility with SPF. The website side, a store that captures the right buyer details only for listed goods, a privacy notice that explains why, and secure record storage, is where set-up help avoids PDPA mistakes.
Our Shopify Store package (S$1,890) builds the store with condition grades, IMEI or serial fields and policies. Our PDPA Compliance Pack (S$690) covers the privacy notice, retention schedule and access controls for ID records.
Frequently asked questions
Yes, if you deal in them as a business. Handphones are listed in the Schedule to the Secondhand Goods Dealers Act, and the Act covers people in Singapore who deal in secondhand goods through the internet. You need an SPF licence, must record each transaction and screen phones in SHOTS before buying or selling.
Not under the Secondhand Goods Dealers Act, because handbags aren't listed in its Schedule. The listed goods are items such as phones, computers, cameras, watches, certain jewellery, pawn tickets and specified metal items. Other rules, such as consumer protection and trademark law, still apply to how you describe and sell bags.
Section 10 of the Secondhand Goods Dealers Act requires records to be kept for at least five years from the end of the financial year in which the transaction was completed. They must be produced on demand to a Magistrate, Justice of the Peace, the Licensing Officer or a police officer.
Yes, because the Secondhand Goods Dealers Rules require you to record the seller's identification number and check their original ID. The PDPA allows collection required by law. Collect only what the Rules list, store it securely with limited access, and delete it when the retention period ends.
Partly. A 2023 exemption order removes the record-keeping and SHOTS screening duties for watches bought or sold for less than S$1,000. It doesn't remove the requirement to hold a licence if you deal in secondhand watches as a business. Watches at S$1,000 or more need full records and screening.