Apply for a Scrap Metal Dealers Licence

Scrap metal dealers must obtain a licence from us in order to carry on business as a scrap metal dealer. Failing to have a licence while operating as a scrap metal dealer is an offence. 

Licences cover three years from the date of issue.

Types of Licence

There are two types of licence, one for a site and the other for a mobile collector (for those carrying on business otherwise than at a site). Application forms will be provided shortly.

Site Licence

A site licence will be issued by the Local Authority in whose area a scrap metal site is situated and will require all of the sites at which the licensee carries on the business as a scrap metal dealer within the Local Authority area to be identified and a site manager to be named for each site. In doing so, they will be permitted to operate from those sites as a scrap metal dealer, including transporting scrap metal to and from those sites from any Local Authority area.

Mobile Collector's Licence

A mobile collector's licence will authorise the licensee to operate as a mobile collector in the area of the issuing Local Authority, permitting them to collect any scrap metal as appropriate. This includes commercial as well as domestic scrap metal.

The licence does not permit the collector to collect from any other Local Authority area; a separate licence would need to be obtained from each Local Authority in whose area the individual wished to collect in. A licence also does not authorise the licensee to carry on a business at a site within any area - should a collector wish to use a fixed site, they would need to obtain a site licence from the relevant Local Authority. There is no restriction as to the location where the collector may transport and sell their metals.

How to Apply

You can submit an application for a Scrap Metal Dealer (both site and collectors licence) through our online application here

Or

Send the completed appliation form and documents via email to licensing@oxford.gov.uk; please include a contact telephone number in order for an officer to make contact for the payment of the application fee by credit/debit card.

Relevent Documents

Scrap Metal Dealers Application Form

Licence Fees

We are allowed to set fees based on recovery of our costs. Below are the current fees (revised 1 April 2023):

The fee does not include any charges required for a Basic Disclosure or any other requirements that an applicant would obtain as part of the application process at their own cost.