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Scrap metal licences

Every scrap metal dealer is required to have a licence, and operating without one will be a criminal offence. The definition of scrap metal dealers includes motor salvage operators.

Types of scrap metal licence

There are two types of scrap metal dealer licence: a Site licence and a Collector's licence.

A scrap metal dealer can only hold one type of licence in any one local authority area, which means they have to decide whether they are going to have a site or a collector's licence in any one area.

Site licence

All the sites where a licensee carries on business as a scrap metal dealer have to be identified, and a site manager has to be named for each site. This licence allows the holder to transport scrap metal to and from those sites from any local authority area.

  • Site Licence application £445
  • Site Licence renewal £445
  • Site Licence variation £100

Collector's licence

This allows the holder to operate as a collector (door to door) in the area of the issuing local authority. It does not allow the collector to operate in any other local authority area, so a separate licence has to be obtained from each council the collector wishes to operate in.

The licence does not authorise the holder to operate a site; to do so they will need a site licence from the relevant local authority.

  • Collector's Licence application £321
  • Collector's Licence renewal  £321
  • Collector's Licence Variation £100

Apply for a scrap metal licence

Provisions of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 include:

  • The requirement for scrap metal dealers to satisfy their local authority that they are a legitimate trader
  • All sellers of metal must provide valid photo ID at point of sale which is recorded and retained by the dealer
  • There will be no cash transactions, this applies to all scrap metal dealers whether they hold a site or collectors licence
  • There is a single national publicly available register of all licensed scrap metal dealers.

Apply for a scrap metal licence

After you apply

The target for completing the registration is 28 days. Tact consent applies, which means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from us by the end of the target completion period.

Failed Application Redress

Please contact us in the first instance by email licensing@horsham.gov.uk or by telephone 01403 215407.