The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 requires that anyone collecting, buying or selling scrap metal must hold a scrap metal dealer licence issued by Tamworth Borough Council. There is a charge for this licence, as set out in the table of fees below.
There are two types of licence:
- Site licence
- Collector’s licence
You can apply for either licence by completing this application form:
- Site and collector’s licence application form and guidance
- See also information about licence Fees
As part of your application, you will need to submit a basic criminal record disclosure form, issued with the last month.
Anyone who carries out business as a scrap metal dealer without a licence may be liable to conviction and a fine up to £5,000.
You can only hold one type of licence in any one local authority’s area. Your collector’s licence will only allow you to collect scrap within the authority area that it was issued. You will need to apply directly to the relevant councils should you wish to operate in more than one council area.
Please note these do not replace the waste carrier’s licence. To collect scrap in the Tamworth area you are also required to hold a waste carriers licence issued by the Environment Agency.
Tax checks for scrap metal licences
Any person or business wanting to renew a scrap metal licence also has to complete a tax check with HMRC. It only applies if you’re renewing a licence, applying for the same license that expired within the last 12 months, or applying for the same type of licence already held with another council.
It doesn’t apply for first time applications or previously held applications that expired more than a year ago. Visit the government website to start your scrap metal licence tax check.
Scrap metal guidance for the public
Did you know it is an offence to put scrap metal outside the front of your property and allow it to be taken by mobile collectors?
Under the Environmental Protection Act, there is a responsibility on householders to ‘take all reasonable measures available to them to ensure they only transfer household waste to an authorised person’.
As part of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, all collectors must be licensed. It is classed as theft if anyone takes metal from you without obtaining your permission and confirming your identity.
Authorised collectors should display a visible copy of their licence in their vehicles.
The government holds a public database of registered waste carriers, brokers and dealers.