Apply for a scrap metal and motor salvage licence

When you need to apply for a licence

A scrap metal dealer must have a licence to run a business as a scrap metal dealer.

This is a requirement of the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013.

You could be fined up to £5,000 if you carry on a business as a scrap metal dealer without a licence.

For more information read our Scrap Metal Licensing Procedure:

Types of licence

There are 2 types of licence:

• site licence
• collector's licence

You cannot apply for both licences.

Licences last for 3 years.

Site licence

Apply for a site licence if you operate out of one or more sites in Royal Greenwich where metal is bought and sold.

Each site must have a nominated site manager.

The site licence authorises the licence-holder to:

• operate from the site as a scrap metal dealer
• transport scrap metal to and from those sites

Collector's licence

Apply for a collector's licence if you operate on a mobile basis, for example, door-to-door collecting.

The collector's licence authorises the licence-holder to:

• collect commercial and domestic scrap metal within the borough

The collector's licence does not authorise the licence-holder to:

• collect from any other council area
• run a scrap metal business from a site

Licence fees

The table below shows licence ees for each type of licence.

Before you apply

Prepare your documents

You need to submit certain documents with your application. These are:

• insurance for vehicles used in scrap metal activities
• endorsed passport-size photo

Endorsed means someone who is not your relative has looked at the photo and:

• agrees it’s a true likeness of you
• prints and signs their name on the back of the photo
• writes their occupation or position on the back of the photo

You also need to send a Basic Disclosure from Disclosure Scotland for:

• the applicant (sole applicants and partnerships only)
• company director, shadow director and company secretary (company applicants only)
• each site manager (for the site licence only)

Prepare your payment

You can pay by:

• cheque, made payable to Royal Borough of Greenwich
• cash, in person at The Woolwich Centre

How to apply

To apply, download and complete the application form:

Send your completed application form to the us along with:

• your licence fee
• supporting documents

After you’ve applied

We’ll assess your application and consult with the following relevant authorities:

• The Environment Agency
• The Metropolitan Police
• other council departments, including Trading Standards, Business Rates, Environmental Crime and Planning
• licensing departments for council in Barking and Dagenham, Bexley, Bromley, Lewisham, Newham and Tower Hamlets

The consultation period usually lasts for 28 days.

After consultation, we’ll either:

• grant you a licence
• refuse you a licence, or
• add conditions to the licence

We’ll notify you of our decision.

If your application is granted, we’ll usually send your licence within 2 weeks of the decision.

Appeals

You have the right to appeal if you disagree with our decision.