Scrap Metal Licences

All scrap metal dealers need a licence. Trading without a licence is a criminal offence. 

There are two types of licence specified in the Act:

Site license
This licence allows the licensee to transport scrap metal between registered sites from any local authority area.

You must have a scrap metal dealer license for each scrap metal site. And each site must have a site manager.

Collector’s license
This allows the licensee to operate as a collector in the area of the issuing local authority.

It does not allow the collector to operate in any other local authority area.

A separate licence has to be obtained from each local authority the collector wishes to operate in.

Please note: A collector's licence does not authorise the you to operate a scrap metal site. A dealer can only hold one type of licence in any one local authority area.

They cannot hold both a site and mobile collector’s licence from the same council.

These licences last for three years.

Scrap Metal Fees

Application Type	Fee
Site Licence New	£551
Site licence renewal	£551
Site Licence Variation	£109
Collector’s Licence	£343
Collectors Licence renewal	£277
Collector’s Licence Variation	£93
Lost paperwork	£18

Application Checklist

• All applicants must complete an application form
• The application form must be accompanied by the relevant fee
• All applicants must supply a Disclosure and Barring certificate (DBS). This certificate must be dated within three months of the application date
• Company directors, partners or secretaries must also supply DBS Certificates
• Applicants for site licences must provide a site plan
• Applicants for collector’s licences must provide a passport style photograph and endorsement statement

Before applying please read:

• Scrap metal dealer licence guidance notes
• The Scrap Metal Dealer's Act 2013

Print out and complete the forms below. Cheques are payable to ‘Mid Sussex District Council’.

• Application for a scrap metal dealer's licence (Printed form)
• Photograph declaration form

Will 'tacit consent' apply?

No.

It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted.

More information: ‘Tacit consent’ means you can act as if your application has been granted if you do not receive your licence/permit within a certain time after we confirm we have received your application.

If you have not heard from us within 14 days of your application - please contact us using the information at the bottom of this page.

If you wish to report a vehicle dismantler or scrap yard that you believe is operating without a licence you can do so on the Motor Vehicle Dismantlers Association website.

Licensing Team
Tel: 01444-477419
Email: licensing@midsussex.gov.uk