A scrap metal dealer must obtain a licence, which lasts for three years, from us. It's an offence not to have one.
If scrap metal is a by-product of your business you may not need a licence. Examples include builders, plumbers, electricians and vehicle repair garages, where scrap metal is recovered or produced but isn't the main purpose of the business.
More information is available via the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013.
There are two types of licence:
Site licence
- a site licence is issued by the authority that covers the area the scrap metal site is situated in
- a site manager must be named for each site
- the licence permits scrap metal businesses to operate from identified sites and transport scrap metal from those sites to any local authority area
- the licence holder can transport scrap metal from third-party businesses by appointment only to any other local council area, providing it is in the course of the business from that site
- a site licence holder can't collect waste materials and old broken, worn-out or defaced articles via door-to-door visits
Mobile collector's licence
- this permits the licensee to operate as a mobile scrap metal collector in the issuing local authority area only
- this includes commercial as well as domestic scrap metal
- you will need to apply for a mobile collector's licence from each authority area you want to collect from
- a mobile collector can dispose of or sell scrap metal in any area regardless of whether the collector's licence is held for that area
From 4 April 2022, the rules are changing if you're applying for a licence for a:
- scrap metal site
- scrap metal collector
If you're an individual, company or any type of partnership you must complete a tax check if you're:
- renewing a licence
- applying for the same type of licence you previously held, that ceased to be valid less than a year ago
- applying for the same type of licence you already hold with another licensing authority
You will not need to complete a tax check and you should follow the confirm your tax responsibilities guidance if you have:
- never held a licence of the same type before
- had a licence of the same type that ceased to be valid a year or more before making this application
What a tax check is
A tax check confirms that you're registered for tax, if necessary. It will ask questions about how you pay any tax that may be due on income you earn from your licensed trade. You must carry out the tax check yourself. You cannot ask a tax agent or adviser to do this on your behalf. After you complete the tax check you'll be given a nine-character code. This is your tax check code. You must give it to the licensing authority with your licence application - they will not be able to process your application without it. Tax check codes expire after 120 days, so if you make a licence application for another licence after that time, you'll need to carry out a new tax check for it. If you're a partner making a licence application on behalf of a partnership you must complete a tax check for yourself. Your licensing authority will tell you if any other partners also need to complete a tax check. Your licensing authority will need your tax check code before they can consider your licence application.
Applying for more than one licence
You can use one tax check code for more than one licence application, as long as all the applications are for the same type of licence (for example, they are all for scrap metal dealer licences but with different licensing authorities).
Renewing scrap metal dealer licences
Your existing licence may be extended until a final decision on whether to grant your licence application has been made (including a decision on appeal). However, if you do not give the licensing authority a valid tax check code your licence will expire on whichever of the following dates is the latest:
- 28 days after the licensing authority asked for your tax check code
- the date your licence expires
What you'll need
To carry out a tax check, you need a Government Gateway user ID and password. If you do not have a user ID, you can create one when you start the check. You'll also need to know:
- when you first got your licence
- the length of your most recent licence
- how you pay tax on the income you earn from your licensed trade
Apply for a licence
To apply, complete an application form
Scrap metal dealers (site) application form
Scrap metal dealers (collector) application form
Applications should be accompanied by:
- the correct fee
- a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for every person named in the application
- a passport style photograph of every person named on the application
- all applicants and named people will have to prove their identity using a photo ID (passport or photocard driving licence) and a recent utility bill (bank statement, council tax bill, NOT a mobile phone bill) dated within three months
- insurance documentation for all notified vehicles
Application
Site - application fee £436.00 / ongoing administration and enforcement £128.00
Collector - application fee £403.00 / ongoing administration and enforcement £90.00
Variation
Site - application fee £251.00 / ongoing administration and enforcement £52.00
Collector - application fee £212.00 / ongoing administration and enforcement £52.00
Renewal (every 3 years)
Site - application fee £436.00 / ongoing administration and enforcement £128.00
Collector - application fee £403.00 / ongoing administration and enforcement £90.00
Scrap metal licence fees are the responsibility of the Cabinet Member for Housing and Safer Communities. The Licensing Committee is requested to make recommendations to the Cabinet Member.
Applications should be dealt with in person to allow your DBS certificate to be checked, copied and returned to you. To make an appointment with an officer, or for further information, email licensing@harrogate.gov.uk or call 01423 500600.
For more information, please contact us.
Visits to the licensing service are by appointment only. Please call us on 01423 500600 or email us at licensing@harrogate.gov.uk