Scrap Metal Laws By State

California Scrap Metal Laws

Payment Restrictions:

California has special payment restrictions, see the legal mandates below. Nexus handles ALL payment restrictions automatically. For instance, if a material can only be paid by check, Nexus will disable CASH & ATM buttons and only allow the operator to generate a check, which Nexus generates and prints for you.

Fingerprinting:

California requires fingerprints, but may vary by county. Nexus does this automatically for you and keeps fingerprints on file for each customer/driver forever!

Video Recording:

California requires facilities to record video using security cameras. Nexus tracks time, dates and weights for each material -- making locating a video for law enforcement extremely easy!

Tag and Hold:

California requires yards to tag-and-hold certain materials for a period of time to give law enforcement time to locate possibly stolen material matching that description. Once tag-and-hold expires, the material can be recycled. Nexus handles all of this scheduling for you -- 100% automated with no manual input required.

License Scanning:

California requires each customers drivers license, ID card, consulate ID or passport to be scanned and kept on file. Nexus automates this process by taking a picture of the license, scanning all the data, letting you know when it expires and keeping it on file forever!

Vehicle Descriptions:

California requires every purchase of scrap metal to also have the customer or drivers vehicle information recorded as part of the transaction. Nexus keeps track of every vehicle for you, as well as the number of occupants!

Taking Photographs of Materials:

California requires that each material/purchase have a snapshot image to be taken while the material is being weighed. Nexus does this automatically, unlike other systems, your employees won't have to click any buttons or do anything manually to capture images.

Taking Photographs of Customers Faces:

California requires a photograph to be taken of the customers face at the time of payout. Nexus does this automatically, unlike other systems, your employees won't have to click any buttons or do anything manually to capture images.

Notify Law Enforcement:

California requires law enforcement notifications when certain materials are purchased. Nexus alerts you when you need to report a material and generates a tag for Tag-And-Hold.

NMVTIS Reporting:

ALL STATES, not just California are required to report vehicle purchases to NMVTIS through services like Add123.com or Nexus' integrated reporting system. Failure to report vehicles results in a $1,500 fine PER VEHICLE by the federal government. Nexus handles vehicle purchases, VIN number decoding and NMVTIS reporting automatically!

Legal Mandates

Updated January 2014

***Effective January 1, 2014

State Requirements

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

· Agree to allow photocopy of 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:

Record state and license plate number of sellers vehicle used to transport scrap;
Keep a record of sellers name, address, and date of sale;
A video or photograph of the seller and the material being sold, including a description and weight of the material.
All sales tickets must have date and time and place of the sale, as well as the name of the clerk completing the sale.
- Must also show the weight, quantity and/or volume of the material.
- Sales tickets must also show the dollar 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 for a minimum of 90 days

NOTE: Know your City and County laws. They may differ from the state laws.

Scrap recyclers must maintain a record of all purchases for a minimum of 2 years and is subject to inspection by any law enforcement at any time. There is a 90-day tag-and-hold policy when notified by law enforcement to do so. (Not applicable for non-ferrous metals or beverage containers when transaction is less than $20).

Any purchases must be paid for with a non-transferrable check which will be mailed to the seller’s home or can be picked up in person after a holding period of 3 days. (The 3 business day waiting period shall not apply if the seller completes 5 or more transactions on 5 or more different days each month for 3 consecutive months starting December 1, 2008. The seller must continue to complete 5 or more transactions on 5 or more different days each month in order to continue receiving immediate payment.)

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 parts or vehicles that have had the VIN number removed and/or made unreadable.

It is unlawful to purchase manhole covers, brass or bronze valves or fittings, water meters, aluminum trenches or ramps, street light poles or fittings, guard rails, street signs, air conditioners (unless seller is HVAC certified) or any material owned by the government or utility.

Links to Other Important Information for California Salvage/Recycling

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/cgi-bin/displaycode?section=bpc&group=21001-22000&file=21600-21610

http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/pub/13-14/bill/sen/sb_0451-0500/sb_485_bill_20131003_chaptered.html

Auto-Parts Salvage/Recycling