When overseas buyers first explore Japan’s pre-owned luxury market, they are often surprised by its size, organization, and the large number of professional businesses dealing in secondhand goods.
One important reason behind this is Japan’s regulatory framework.
Businesses that purchase pre-owned goods for the purpose of resale in Japan are generally required to obtain a Secondhand Dealer License, known in Japanese as a Kobutsusho Kyoka (古物商許可).
This system is governed by Japan’s Secondhand Articles Dealer Act (古物営業法) and plays an important role in the country’s secondhand market.
What Is a Secondhand Dealer License?
A Secondhand Dealer License is a permit required for businesses and individuals who conduct certain types of commercial transactions involving pre-owned goods in Japan.
For example, a business that purchases used luxury bags, watches, jewelry, clothing, or other eligible secondhand goods from consumers or other sources for resale will generally need this license.
The license is issued through the relevant Prefectural Public Safety Commission, with applications handled by the police.
This means that operating a professional secondhand purchasing and resale business in Japan is not simply a matter of opening an online store and beginning to trade.
Businesses operating within the scope of the law must comply with Japan’s regulatory requirements.
Why Does Japan Regulate the Secondhand Market?
The system was not created specifically for luxury goods.
The Secondhand Articles Dealer Act is designed in part to help prevent the distribution of stolen goods and facilitate their detection.
Licensed secondhand dealers therefore have legal obligations concerning matters such as transaction records and, in applicable transactions, verification of the identity of the person from whom goods are acquired.
For international buyers, this regulatory environment is an important part of understanding how the Japanese secondhand market operates.
What Does This Mean for Luxury Bags?
The rules apply across many categories of secondhand goods, including items commonly found in the luxury resale market.
Japan has an extensive professional resale industry covering brands such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermès, Dior, Gucci, Prada, and Fendi.
From specialist vintage boutiques to large reuse chains and online sellers, many businesses operate within this regulated secondhand ecosystem.
Of course, holding a Secondhand Dealer License does not mean that every individual item has been officially authenticated by the Japanese government.
The license should not be confused with a government guarantee of authenticity.
However, it does mean that professional secondhand dealers subject to the licensing system operate within a legal framework governing the trade of used goods.
Why This Matters to Overseas Retailers and Resellers
When sourcing pre-owned luxury goods internationally, knowing who you are purchasing from matters.
Japan offers more than a large inventory of luxury products. It also has a mature secondhand industry supported by established businesses, specialist retailers, reuse companies, and a legal framework for commercial secondhand dealing.
This is one of the reasons Japan has developed into an important sourcing market for professional luxury retailers and resellers around the world.
At VINTAGE QUEEN, we source luxury goods from the Japanese domestic market for professional retailers and resellers overseas.
Understanding the structure of the Japanese market—including its sellers, product descriptions, condition standards, and regulatory environment—is an important part of sourcing successfully from Japan.
VINTAGE QUEEN — Your Luxury Sourcing Partner in Japan