Scrap metal dealers licence

Contents

1. Overview
2. Existing licences
3. New licences
4. How much a licence costs
5. Eligibility criteria
6. Application evaluation process
7. How long it will take to process your application
8. Tacit consent
9. Appeals
10. If you have a complaint
11. South Tyneside Council register of scrap metal dealers

Overview

To be a scrap metal dealer in South Tyneside, you need to register with South Tyneside Council.

If you collect scrap metal in other Council areas, you will also need a licence with them.

Changes to scrap metal licences

The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 1964 has been replaced by the The Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013.

The act requires anyone who operates a site or collects scrap metal to hold a licence. 

Existing licences

If you were registered with South Tyneside Council before 1 October 2013, you can continue dealing in scrap metal until 15 October 2013, by which time you must have submitted an application to the Council for a new licence. 

If you have submitted a completed application form including:

• the correct fee for the licence
• basic disclosure and Basic Disclosure UK Gov
• two forms of ID (passport, driving licence, utility bill or bank statement)

You will be able to continue to deal in scrap metal until your application has been dealt with.

New licences

If you were not registered before 1 October 2013, you can apply for a new licence but cannot deal in scrap metal in South Tyneside until a licence has been granted to you. 

You can download the application form below.

Scrap Metal collector application

How much a licence costs

Site

• New application: £437
• Renewal: £327.50
• Variation: £181.50

Collector

• New application: £233.50
• Renewal: £123
• Variation: £146

Administration fee (COD etc and associated checks, admin)

• £21.50

New permit or additional permits

• £19.50

Eligibility criteria

A scrap metal dealer is classed as carrying on a business in South Tyneside if any of the following apply:

• the person has a site in South Tyneside where he deals in scrap metal
• the person randomly collects scrap metal in South Tyneside

Application evaluation process

Applicants must provide the following:

• Their full name
• The address of the dealer, or in the case of a company, their registered or principal office
• The address of each place occupied as a scrap metal store
• Basic criminal disclosure
• Scrap metal dealers fee
• Tax conditionality check (from 4 April 2022)
  • GOV.UK: Complete a tax check
  • GOV.UK: Tax check factsheet
  • GOV.UK: Changes for taxi, private hire or scrap metal licence applications
  • GOV.UK: Licence application tax check: communications resources
  • GOV.UK: Help and support for the HMRC personal tax account
  • GOV.UK: Use HMRC's business tax account

The registered dealer must tell the Council of any changes to these details or if they stop being a scrap metal dealer.

How long it will take to process your application

If your application is successful and we have received all of the necessary documentation, your application will be processed within ten working days.

Tacit consent

Tacit consent is where an application is treated as accepted if a reply is not recieved within a certain timeframe.

No tacit consent does not apply.

Checks must be carried out before a licence can be issued and therefore tacit consent cannot apply.

Appeals

Appealing a decision

Please contact South Tyneside Council in the first instance.

Appealing a condition of the license

Please contact South Tyneside Council Licensing Team in the first instance on 0191 424 7695 or by emailing licensing@southtyneside.gov.uk.

If you have a complaint

If you have a complaint, we advise that you contact the trader, preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery).

If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice.

From outside the UK, contact the UK European Consumer Centre.

South Tyneside Council register of scrap metal dealers

Collectors licences granted

Site licences granted