What to Bring When You Sell Scrap Metal
What ID you need at a UK scrap yard, why yards ask for it, and how to get paid without delays.
Every licensed scrap yard in England and Wales has to check who you are before it takes your metal. That rule comes from the Scrap Metal Dealers Act 2013, and yards that ignore it can be fined. Turning up prepared saves you a wasted trip.
Bring photo ID and proof of address
The law says a yard must check your full name and address against a reliable, independent source. In practice most yards ask for:
- Photo ID, such as a passport or driving licence
- Something recent showing your address, such as a utility bill or bank statement, if your ID does not show it
Requirements vary from yard to yard, so ring ahead if you are not sure.
Expect a bank transfer, not cash
Cash payments for scrap metal are banned. Yards pay by bank transfer, card payment or a cheque that can only go into your own account. Have your bank details ready.
Your sale gets recorded
The yard records what you sold, its weight, the date and time, and the registration of any vehicle you arrived in. It keeps copies of your ID and the payment record for three years. That is normal, and it helps stop stolen metal being sold.
Sort your metal first
Separating your scrap usually gets you a better price. Keep copper, brass, aluminium and steel apart, and strip plastic or insulation off where you safely can. See types of scrap metal.
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Last reviewed 1 November 2026.