What you need to know
Every scrap metal dealer is required to have a licence and operating without a licence is a criminal offence.
There are 2 types of licences:
- Site licence - issued for all sites where a scrap metal dealer business is carried out. The licence allows the licensee to transport scrap metal to and from the sites from any local authority area. A site manager must be named for each site.
- Collector's licence - allows the licensee to operate as a collector in the area of the issuing licensing authority only. It does not allow the collector to operate in any other local authority. The licence does not authorise the licensee to operate a site. Where the sale of scrap metal is incidental to the main type of work or business undertaken then no licence will be required.
Read government guidance on scrap metal dealers
Applications will need to be made to Hillingdon Council if the site is located in Hillingdon, or if a collector operates in Hillingdon. A collector may have a number of licences for different local authority areas. You cannot hold a collectors licence and a site licence in the same authority area.