What this covers
You must get a scrap metal dealer licence from the council if you buy, sell or store scrap metal
It applies in England and Wales. Other UK nations run their own regimes — check the equivalent for the nation you trade in.
Why you need it
This licence is not an administrative preference — it exists because Parliament created it. The power to require it comes from Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013.
What the Act carries
These are the duties, penalties and exemptions our graph holds for Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 as a whole — the Act behind this licence, not the licence conditions themselves. They show what sort of instrument you are dealing with.
- Duties on businesses
- 14
- Penalties
- 13
- Exemptions
- 1
Duties on businesses under the Act
- Fail to apply to vary licence when required Schedule 1
- Operate as a scrap metal dealer without a licence s.1
- Fail to comply with a closure order for scrap metal premises Schedule 2
- Fail to notify changes required under scrap metal licence s.8
- Fail to display scrap metal dealer licence s.10
- Fail to verify supplier's identity before receiving scrap metal s.11
… and 8 more business duties in the same Act.
What happens if you get it wrong
- Breach a closure order on scrap metal premises Unlimited fine
- Fail to comply with a closure order for scrap metal premises Unlimited fine
- Operate as a scrap metal dealer without a licence Unlimited fine
- Pay for scrap metal in cash or prohibited method Unlimited fine
- Fail to keep required scrap metal records Unlimited fine
… and 8 more penalties in the same Act.
Exemptions that may take you outside it
- Residential premises exempt from scrap metal closure notices — Premises are residential
Read our full dossier on Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013
Who issues it
Your local council issues this, acting as the licensing authority for the area you trade in. Councils apply the same statute but set their own fees, conditions and timescales, so two neighbouring authorities can reach you differently.
Where to apply
Our guidance on this
Everything below is written out in full elsewhere on Guvnor — this page points at it rather than repeating it.
Get licences from your local council
Comprehensive guide to local authority licensing requirements including premises licences for alcohol and entertainment, food business registration, street trading, pavement licences, Temporary Event Notices, …
Find licences you need for your business
How to identify and apply for the licences, permits, and registrations your business needs using GOV.UK Licence Finder. Covers premises licences, food registration, transport, …
Duty, penalty and exemption labels are Guvnor’s analysis of the enabling instrument, not the instrument itself. Fees, forms and conditions are set by the issuing authority — always check the linked source.