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Scrap Metal Dealer Licence

Anyone wishing to carry on a business as a scrap metal dealer requires a Scrap Metal Dealer Licence.

LICENCE Name

Scrap Metal Dealer Licence

AUTHORITY

Local Authority

TIME TO GET LICENCED 28 days (varies depending on local authority)
COST £370
VALID FOR 3 years
ELIGIBILITY 18+ years
QUALIFICATION(S) NEEDED N/A
STEPS TO GET LICENSED
1

Prepare required application documentation

Details of any relevant environmental permit or registration
Details of any other scrap metal licence issued in the last 3 years
Details of the bank account that will be used to pay for scrap metal
Details of any conviction for a relevant offence or any relevant enforcement action
Address of each site to be identified in the licence
Name, address and date of birth of site manager named in the licence
2

Application for Scrap Metal Dealer Licence

Apply via local council
Submit requested documentation
Get Licenced

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What is the Scrap Metal Dealer Licence?

Any person collecting, buying or selling scrap metal requires a Scrap Metal Dealers licence issued by the local authority, and comes under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013.

Scrap metal includes:

any old, waste or discarded metal or metallic material, and

any product, article or assembly which is made from or contains metal and is broken, worn out or regarded by its last holder as having reached the end of its useful life.

Do I apply for a Site Licence or a Collectors Licence?

There are two types of Scrap Metal Dealer Licences. What one you apply for will depend whether you operate just within your local authority area or from within a site.

Site Licence - This is where the scrap metal business is operated from one or more sites in the local authority area. The licence allows the licensee to buy and sell scrap metal and to transport scrap metal to and from those sites from any local authority area.

Price of Site Licence - £420

Collector's Licence - This is where the scrap metal operator collects scrap metal in the local authority area. A separate licence must be obtained from each council the collector wishes to operate in.

A scrap metal dealer is only permitted to hold one type of licence in any one local authority area.

Price of Collector’s Licence - £370

How to apply for a Scrap Metal Dealer Licence

A Scrap Metal Dealer Licence must be made via your local council. You can find the contact details for your local council at the Official UK Government Website.

Fines and penalties

You could be fined £5,000 if you don’t hold a Scrap Metal Dealer Licence.

You could also face the following conditions:

  • you must not receive scrap metal except between 9am and 5pm on any day
  • all scrap metal must be kept in the form it was received up to 72 hours from when it was received

A council may revoke the Scrap Metal Dealer Licence at any time and close unlicensed sites.

FAQs

 A metal scrap collector is a person who carries on a business which consists wholly or partly in buying or selling scrap metal, whether or not the metal is sold in the form in which it was bought, or carries on a business as a motor salvage operator.
Scrap metal is classed as any old, waste or discarded metal or metallic material. It also counts as any product, article or assembly which is made from or contains metal and is broken, worn out or regarded by its last holder as having reached the end of its useful life
Scrap metal does not include gold, silver and any alloy of which 2% or more by weight is attributable to gold or silver.
You must not receive scrap metal from a person without verifying their name and address. A Scrap Metal Dealer must also not buy scrap metal for cash.
A scrap metal dealer is only permitted to hold one type of licence in any one local authority area.