Scrap Metal Laws By State

New Mexico Scrap Metal Laws

Payment Restrictions:

New Mexico does NOT have special payment restrictions.

Fingerprinting:

New Mexico does not require fingerprints.

Video Recording:

New Mexico 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:

New Mexico 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:

New Mexico 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:

New Mexico 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:

New Mexico 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:

New Mexico 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:

New Mexico 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 New Mexico 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

State Requirements

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

Allow a copy of the seller’s a 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

Buyer’s must:

Record year, make, model and license plate number of sellers vehicle used to transport scrap
Keep a record of sellers name, address and date of sale
A date and time stamped photo or video of the seller and of the materials being sold
All sales tickets must have location of sale, date and time of the sale, as well as the initials of the clerk completing the sale.
- Must also show the weight, quantity and/or volume of the material.
- Must show amount paid for materials.
- 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 on all materials for 5 days

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

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

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 5-day tag-and-hold policy when notified by law enforcement to do so.

It is unlawful for any scrap metal dealer to purchase the following materials without written permission to sell such items: metal wire that has been burned, a vehicle or material that has had the identification (VIN) number removed or made unreadable, any material marked as belonging to any governmental agency, public agency, railroad or private company.

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 a catalytic converter that is not part of an entire automobile.

All recyclers must electronically upload a copy of their daily purchases to the NM electronic database within 48 hours. (Section 57-30-5 NMSA 1978)

Links to Other Important Information for New Mexico Salvage/Recycling

Auto-Parts Salvage/Recycling