Updated: January 2014

***Changes effective May 10, 2012

State Requirements

In order to sell scrap metal, sellers will be required to:

         ·            Allow a copy of their driver's license or state ID card;

         ·            Sign a statement indicating that they are the owner of or are authorized to sell the metal;

         ·            Sign a statement that they have not been convicted of metal theft 

         ·            Allow the buyer to take a thumbprint;

Buyer’s must:

• Make, model, type of vehicle, and state of issuance and license plate number of sellers vehicle used to transport scrap
• Keep a record of sellers name, address and date of sale
• ***A time and date stamped photograph or video of the seller and the material being sold, which clearly shows the sellers face.
• ***All sales tickets must have date and time of the sale, as well as the name of the clerk completing the sale.
  • Must also show the weight, quantity and/or volume and description of the material.
  • Must show the amount paid for the material.
  • Sales tickets must be signed by the seller.  Seller will receive a copy of the receipt and buyer will retain a copy.
• Buyer must report purchased vehicle information to NMVTIS
• Tag and hold policies are in effect

NOTE:  Please be aware of your local ordinances.  Many cities and counties have additional ordinances that may not be listed here.

*Effective March 1, 2013: All secondary metal recyclers must be registered and prepared to submit sales-related information to the statewide database ACJIC by 9:00 p.m. the day of the sale.  Register beginning Jan. 1, 2013 at http://scrap.alabama.gov/

Any purchases over the amount of $50 (for copper, air conditioners or parts or catalytic converters) or $500 for all other metals must be paid for with a check which will be mailed to the seller’s home or picked up in person.

Keep records, certifications, registrations, etc. on site for 1 year. 

Scrap recyclers must maintain a record of all purchases for a minimum of one year and is subject to inspection by any law enforcement at any time. There is a 15-day tag-and-hold policy when notified by law enforcement to do so.

It is unlawful to purchase or possess the following materials: any wire, pedestal, or other equipment marked as belonging to any public utility, government entity, railroad, school, graveyard or private business without licensure that they are entitled to sell such materials.

No scrap metal business may purchase or receive beer kegs from anyone except a distributor or manufacturer of beer kegs or licensed brewery.

It is unlawful to purchase catalytic converters unless they are part of entire motor vehicle.

No scrap metal business may enter into a transaction to purchase or receive metallic wire that was burned in whole or in part to remove insulation unless the seller can produce written proof to the scrap metal business that the wire was lawfully burned or lawfully recovered from a burned structure.

***It is unlawful to possess any of the following when it is thought to be stolen: metal property marked with the initials of a company (i.e. wire, cable, beer kegs, manhole covers, etc.), street light poles and fixtures, guard rails, water meter covers, unused/undamaged building materials, grave markers, or condenser coils without proper licensure to do so.

***It is unlawful to purchase any condenser coils without valid HVAC license.

It is unlawful to purchase scrap metals from persons age 18 or younger.

Metals may not be purchased between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.

***If the car was made after 1975, a verifiable vehicle title must be signed over.  If no title is available, a replacement title or abandonment title must be applied for.

It is illegal to buy or hold vehicle parts that have had the VIN number removed.

Links to Other Important Information for Alabama Salvage/Recycling

Auto-Parts Salvage/Recycling

         ·            Scrap yard regulations - http://law.onecle.com/alabama/criminal-code/chapter8.html under Article 1. and http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/acas/ACTIONViewFrame.asp?TYPE=Instrument&INST=HB278&DOCPATH=searchableinstruments/2012RS/Printfiles/&PHYDOCPATH=//alisondb/acas/searchableinstruments/2012RS/PrintFiles/&DOCNAMES=HB278-int.pdf,HB278-eng.pdf

         ·            http://alisondb.legislature.state.al.us/acas/SearchableInstruments/2012RS/PrintFiles/HB278-enr.pdf

• Licensing information for Automotive Dismantlers, Car Crushers, Junk dealers, etc. can be found at http://www.ador.state.al.us/licenses/AutoDsmntlrPrtsRcyclr.pdf .
• *www.acjic.alabama.gov