If you wish to carry out business as a scrap metal dealer in Barking and Dagenham you must apply to us for a licence. This includes:

• a business which consists wholly or partly of buying or selling scrap metal, whether or not the metal is processed in any way in between; or
• a business which carries out motor salvage activities, such as dismantling vehicles for parts to be reused or sold, or buying written-off vehicles for repair and subsequent resale, or trades vehicles for either of these purposes

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.

Gold, silver and alloys containing more than 2% by weight of these metals are not deemed to be scrap metal.

Carrying on business as a scrap metal dealer without, or in breach of, a licence is a criminal offence, carrying a maximum fine on conviction of £5,000.