Every scrap metal dealer must have a licence. Operating without one is a criminal offence.
Scrap metal dealers require a licence issued by their local authority.
The current system of licensing was introduced by the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013. This replaced the old system of registration.
There are two different types of licences: site and collector's.
You can only hold one type of licence at once. Each licence last for three years.
| License type | Fee | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Site licence | £384.60 | A site licence is aimed at scrap metal dealers who operate from sites. They may also be suitable for other types of dealer, e.g people who have a contract to collect scrap or carry out scheduled rounds to visit regular customers. The granting of a scrap metal dealer licence does not in itself constitute you to store scrap metal. You may need planning consent to do so. To apply for this type of licence, you must apply to the local authority where your site or place of business is located. You must display your licence at your place of business. |
| Collector's licence | £119.40 | A collector's licence is intended for dealers who make visits to premises to collect scrap. Unlike a site licence, a separate licence is required for each local authority area you operate in. If you intend to operate as a collector in Fenland, you need to apply to us for a licence. You must display our collector's licence on your vehicle whenever you are operating in the Fenland district. |
If you are a business that collects scrap metal 'incidental' to their main business (e.g a Plumber), you may not need a licence. However, each case is treated on its merits. If you collect scrap metal incidental to your business, please email licensing@fenland.gov.uk for advice.
To apply for a licence, please send us:
application form [322.82KB]If you are applying for a collectors licence you also need to send us a passport size photograph. This needs to be endorsed on the back with the words: "I certify that this is a good likeness of [your name]" and signed by a 'responsible person'. A responsible person needs to be someone of standing in the community such as a teacher or bank official.
* The easiest and cheapest way to get a criminal records check is to apply online at gov.uk. All applications will be considered on their individual basis - so if you have a conviction, it doesn't automatically mean you won't get a licence. If they want to, individuals on the application form can send their criminal records check to us separately.
You can apply to:
You cannot transfer the licence to another person.
To make a change, please email licensing@fenland.gov.uk.
| Licence type | Fee |
|---|---|
| Site licence | £384.60 |
| Collector's licence | £119.40 |
| Minor administrative change to licence | £10.50 |
| Variation - change of site manager | £23.30 |
| Variation from collector to site licence | £260.00 |
| Variation from site to collector licence | £75.00 |
A scrap metal dealer must not receive scrap metal from a person without verifying their name and address. Acceptable forms of ID are explained in the section below.
Under the current legislation, it is an offence to buy scrap metal for cash. Payments by cheque must be non-transferable and made out to named persons (i.e not made out to 'cash'). Electronic payments are permitted as long as the customer's identity can be checked.
Scrap metal dealers must keep records of:
The law requires dealers of scrap metal to see proof of identity. The seller can either use:
| Section A |
|
|---|---|
| Section B |
These documents can be a maximum of three months old when the application is made. |
From 4 April 2022, there will be a small addition to the checks licensing bodies already have in place. You'll need to complete a tax check with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) when you renew your licence in relation to:
Changes will only apply in England and Wales. View more information about Tax Check changes.
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