Metal dealers who buy and who sell on a door-to-door basis must hold an 'Itinerant Metal Dealer's Licence' issued by a Scottish Council, under section 32 of the Civic Government (Scotland) Act, 1982.

This licence is valid throughout Scotland. The Council is responsible for the processing of all licence applications including Itinerant Metal Dealer.

If you act as an itinerant - or travelling metal dealer - you must be licensed by the Licensing Authority.  Such a licence will allow you to to carry on business as an itinerant metal dealer anywhere in Scotland.

Find Information On:

Your application must be in writing (including by electronic means), in the form specified by the Licensing Authority and accompanied by any requested fee. You must be a fit and proper person and not be disqualified from holding a licence.

The fee of £300 covers the applicant for a period of 3 years.

There are two ways of applying:

Public notice of the application may be given in a local newspaper and objections may be considered. The Local Authority may make such reasonable inquiries as they think fit and include the results of these inquiries in matters they take into account, but where they intend to include any of these results they must notify you. You may be given the opportunity to make representations.

Yes. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the local authority by the end of the 130 day period permitted for final determination of the application.

Licence summary

If you act as an itinerant (or travelling metal dealer), you must be licensed by your local authority. Such a licence will allow you to sell scrap metal anywhere in Scotland.

Fees

Please contact Customer Services for details of the fee.

Will Tacit Consent Apply?

Yes. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the local authority by the end of the 120 day period permitted for final determination of the application.

Failed Application Redress

You can request reasons in writing for the refusal within 28 days of the date of the decision. You may appeal to the sheriff against the decision which appeal must be lodged within 28 days from the date of the decision.

Licence Holder Redress

You can request reasons in writing for a refusal to renew, a variation or suspension of a licence within 28 days of the date of the decision. You may appeal to the sheriff against the decision which must be lodged within 28 days from the date of the decision.

We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Citizens Advice will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.

Other Redress

If your application is refused you cannot apply again in respect of the same activity in the same area within one year of the refusal unless there has been a material change of circumstances.

Any party to an appeal to the sheriff may appeal on a point of law from the sheriff's decision to the Court of Session within 28 days from the date of that decision.