Scrap metal dealer

Summary

All scrap metal dealers in Salford require a licence under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013.

You are a scrap metal dealer if:

• you are carrying 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
• you are carrying on a business as a motor salvage operator 

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

The following are not scrap metal – gold, silver or any alloy of which 2% or more by weight is attributable to gold or silver.

If you operate without a licence or do not comply with conditions of a licence, you may be prosecuted, receive an unlimited fine and/or imprisoned or both. Non-compliance could result in your ability to obtain a licence. There may be consequences for your licence including imposition of conditions or revocation.

The Environment Agency publish a register of scrap metal dealers in England - Scrap Metal Dealers.

Types of licence

There are two types of licence:

• site licence - allows you to buy and sell scrap metal from a fixed location within the council area; or
• collectors licence - allows you to travel within the council area to collect scrap metal 
  (separate licences will be required for each council area where collections take place)

Licence fees

• Site Licence: £956 
• Collectors Licence: £630 

The licence is valid for three years. You must reapply after this time if you want to continue your scrap metal activities. A person may hold more than one licence issued by different local authorities but may not hold both types of licence with one authority.

How to apply

To request an application form, or if you have any enquiries, please email licensing@salford.gov.uk.  

Once a completed application has been submitted, a member of the team will be in touch to take payment of the application fee, and you will be kept updated with the progress of your application.

Process

All scrap metal dealer licence applications are subject to a 28-day consultation period during which partner agencies such as Greater Manchester Police, Environment Agency, Planning and other licensing authorities are consulted. Following the end of this period, the application will be determined within 28 days, after which you will have a right of appeal to the decision.

We will take into consideration any relevant information, in particular:

• whether the applicant or site manager has been convicted of any relevant offence
• whether the applicant or site manager has been the subject of any relevant enforcement action
• any previous refusal of an application for the issue or renewal of a scrap metal licence (and the reasons for the refusal)
• any previous refusal of an application for a relevant environmental permit or registration (and the reasons for the refusal)
• any previous revocation of a scrap metal licence (and the reasons for the revocation)
• whether the applicant has demonstrated that there will be in place adequate procedures to ensure that the provisions of this Act are complied with.

Criminal records

As part of the application process, you will be required to submit a Basic Disclosure, which must not be more than three months from the date it was issued. You can obtain this certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) - Request a basic DBS check - GOV.UK.

Having a criminal record does not preclude an applicant from obtaining a licence. The Act stipulates certain ‘relevant offences’ which will be considered in deciding whether an applicant is suitable to hold a licence. Get a full list of relevant offences.

While the Act states the council must have regard to relevant offences, the council can also consider other offences which are determined to be relevant to an applicant’s suitability.

Duties of a scrap metal dealer

• Must display licence issued, whether as a site or collector
• Must not receive scrap metal from a person without verifying the persons full name and address
• Must not pay for scrap metal by cash.  Permitted means are cheque or electronic transfer
• Must record receipt of metal in the course of the dealers business
• Must record details of how the metal is disposed of

Inspections

Local authority and police officers have powers to inspect licensed premises and can require production of any scrap metal at the premises, inspect records kept and take copies of those records. The Act provides police and local authorities powers to issue closure notices to unlicensed scrap metal dealing premises and apply to a justice of the peace for a closure order.

Complaints 

If you wish to make a complaint about a scrap metal site or collector licensed by Salford City Council, or suspect a site or collector is trading illegally in Salford, please report to the Licensing Service by email - licensing@salford.gov.uk.

You can also report anonymously to Crimestoppers online or by phone – 0800 555111.

Downloads

• Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013
• Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 - Determining suitability to hold a scrap metal dealer’s licence

This page was last updated on 18 July 2025