Can Scrap Yards Pay Cash? The UK Rules Explained
Why UK scrap yards cannot pay cash, how you will be paid instead, and what it means for you.
No. Since the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013 came into force, licensed scrap metal dealers in England and Wales cannot pay for metal in cash. That includes payment in kind, such as swapping scrap for goods or services.
How you get paid instead
- A bank transfer, often on the spot
- A card payment
- A cheque made out to you that cannot be signed over to someone else
Why the rule exists
Metal theft, from railway cable to church roofs, was costly and dangerous. Removing cash and making yards record every seller makes stolen metal much harder to sell.
What if a yard offers cash?
A yard paying cash is breaking the law and risks a heavy fine. It is also a warning sign about how the rest of the business is run. Every yard on this site holds a current site licence; check the licence details on its page.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.