All businesses that buy and sell scrap metal must have a scrap metal dealer licence. 

This includes those who operate from sites and those who collect door to door such as itinerant scrap metal dealers.

You should read our scrap metal dealers licence guide (pdf, 208k) (opens new window) before applying for a licence.

Apply for scrap metal dealer licence

Apply for scrap metal dealer licence online

You’ll need:

• debit or credit card
• Basic Disclosure Certificate

You can also use our scrap metal dealer licence application form (word doc, 64k) (opens new window) if you want apply by post or in person.

If applying by post or in person you can pay by cheque. Cheques should made out to Bristol City Council.

Fees

The fees for scrap metal dealer licence are:

• Site Licence:  £585
• Additional sites: £85
• Collectors Licence: £545
• Variation of Licence: £65
• Replacement or copy licence: £15

The licence will last for three years, unless surrendered or revoked.

Basic Disclosure Certificate

You can apply for a Basic Disclosure Certificate at the Disclosure and Barring Service.

You’ll need Basic Disclosure Certificate for:

• the applicant and any person listed on the application form
• site managers, if applying for a site licence
• each partner, if a partnership
• any company director(s), shadow director(s) and company secretary, if a company

The Basic Disclosure Certificate should be no more than 6 months old when you apply for a scrap metal dealer licence.

Tacit consent

Tacit consent will not apply. It’s in the public interest that we must process your application before it can be granted. If you’ve not heard from us within a reasonable period, please contact us. The application period is 60 days.

Renew your scrap dealer licence

Complete and return a new scrap dealer licence application one month before your current licence finishes.

Change your scrap dealer licence details

You can change your scrap dealer licence details online.

Applicant complaints

Please contact us in the first instance.

Licence holder redress

Please contact us in the first instance.

Consumer complaint

We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery).

If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, the Citizens Advice consumer service will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.

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