Licences for scrap metal dealers

How to apply for or renew a site licence or a mobile collector licence for you to deal in scrap metals or motor salvage.

Scrap dealers and motor salvage operators are regulated under the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 (GOV.UK).

If you wish to trade in scrap metals or motor salvage, you'll need a licence. You can apply for a licence as an individual person, a company or partnership. There are two types: 

  • a site licence which allows you to store, buy and sell scrap metal from a fixed site. For example, a scrap yard
  • a mobile collector's licence which permits you to travel within our area and collect scrap metal from residential and commercial premises. If you collect in more than one council area, you'll need a separate licence for each area

Before you apply, you might find it helpful to read detailed guidance on the law for scrap metal dealers (GOV.UK).

Environment Agency register

Your licence details will be published by the Environment Agency (EA) in their public register of scrap metal dealers. 

View of the EA register of scrap metal dealers and sites (GOV.UK)

The register does not list Westmorland and Furness Council at this time. However, you can find dealers and sites in our areas by searching for Barrow, Eden and South Lakeland. 

Licence requirements

The laws around scrap metal dealing changed in 2022. You must comply with the current rules, which mean that:

  • you need a licence if you're a motor salvage operator
  • you must apply for a basic disclosure and barring service check (DBS) (GOV.UK)
  • anyone named in your application or renewal form (including site managers and directors) must complete a DBS too
  • there are tax requirements - you might need to complete a tax check or confirm your tax responsibilities with His Majesty's Revenue and Customs (HMRC)
  • anyone selling scrap to you must show their ID
  • you must record the identification of the seller and keep these details for your records for a period of two years
  • you cannot use cash to buy or sell scrap metal and use electronically traceable payment method - only cheques or the banker's automated clearing system (BACS), such as debit or credit cards

You must not operate until you receive your licence. 

If you're not a scrap dealer but have any questions or need to report a concern, please read our advice for the public about scrap metal dealing.

Tax checks

When you apply for a licence or renew a licence, you might need to complete a tax check (GOV.UK).

If you do not need a check, you might instead need to confirm your tax responsibilities with HMRC (GOV.UK).

This is to confirm that you're registered for tax and how you're going to pay tax on your scrap metal earnings. 

When you need a tax check

  • if you renew your licence
  • when you apply for the same type of licence that you've previously held, but it stopped being valid within the last year
  • when you apply for the same type of licence that you've previously held with another council 

When you need to confirm your tax responsibilities

  • if you've never held a licence of the same type before
  • when you apply for a licence of the same type you've previously held, but it stopped being valid more than a year ago 

How to apply for a licence 

Applications for a new licence

If you wish to apply for a new licence, please contact us. 

We will: 

  • explain the application process
  • take your details to send you an application pack
  • clarify the information you need to provide with your application, such as tax checks
  • notify you of the fee you must pay and when to pay it
  • set out what will happen after your application

We might ask you to attend a meeting in person. We'll contact you in advance and let you know what you need to do and what to bring with you.

You can find copies of the application forms below. 

Applications to renew your licence 

You must renew your licence every three years. We'll aim to send a renewal letter and application form before it expires. However, if you have not received this with four weeks of your current licence expiring, please contact us.

Applications to vary your licence

Please contact us if you need to change any of the details in your licence. You can find our details at the end of this page. 

Licence fees for 2025 to 2026

Site licenses 

  • apply for a site licence: £470
  • renew a site licence: £470
  • vary a site licence: £132

Mobile collector's licences

  • apply for a mobile collector's licence: £300
  • renew a mobile collector's licence: £300
  • vary a collector's licence: £110

How to pay your fee

To pay your fee, you can:

  • call customer services and pay over the phone
  • visit one of our offices and pay in person
  • include a cheque with your application form 

When we send your application pack, we'll provide you with instructions on how to pay. If you do not include a cheque with your application form, we'll be in touch to arrange payment. 

Guidance

You might find the following information helpful before you complete your application. It may also be useful when you’re going through the application process. 

Prescribed offences

The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 (Prescribed Relevant Offences and Relevant Enforcement Action) Regulations 2013 sets out offences relating to scrap metal dealing. The Act also covers the enforcement action that can be taken. 

Contact us

Barrow area - public protection service

Email: commercial@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk 
Telephone: 0300 373 3300
Address: Town Hall, Duke Street, Barrow-in-Furness, LA14 2LD

Eden area - environmental protection team

Email: pollution@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk
Telephone: 0300 373 3300
Address: Voreda House, Portland Place, Penrith, CA11 7BF

South Lakeland area - licensing team

Email: licensing@westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk 
Telephone: 0300 373 3300
Address: South Lakeland House, Lowther Street, Kendal, LA9 4DQ