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Scrap metal

From 4th April you will need to complete a tax check on GOV.UK when you apply or renew your licence.

You need a licence to buy and sell scrap metal.

There are two types of scrap meal licence:

  • Site collectors licence  which allows you to buy and sell scrap metal from a fixed location within the council area
  • Collector’s licence which allows you to travel within the council area to collect scrap metal. You may not take this metal back to a site that you run within the council area in order to sell it.

Basic Disclosure certificate

Before you apply you'll need a Basic Disclosure certificate from DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) for you and any person listed on the application. Including the site manager (if applying for a site licence), each partner if a partnership, and if a company  for the director, company secretary and shadow director.  

When assessing applicants, partnerships or a company's suitability to hold a scrap metal dealer's licence, we will check each Basic Disclosure certificate against the list of convictions for relevant offences. Having a conviction for a relevant offence may not automatically prevent you from having a licence.

Apply for a Basic Disclosure Certificate

Apply for a scrap metal licence

Complete and return the application form to apply for your licence. The licence lasts for three years.

If you need to make any changes to your licence you can apply online.

Apply to change a scrap metal licence

Fees for scrap metal licences

Fees for a scrap metal licence are:

  • £394 for a collectors licence or renewal
  • £461 for a site licence or renewal
  • £67 for a variation to a collectors or site licence

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