Scrap Metal Laws By State

Pennsylvania Scrap Metal Laws

Payment Restrictions:

Pennsylvania does NOT have special payment restrictions.

Fingerprinting:

Pennsylvania does not require fingerprints.

Video Recording:

Pennsylvania 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:

Pennsylvania 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:

Pennsylvania 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:

Pennsylvania 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:

Pennsylvania 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:

Pennsylvania 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:

Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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:

· Present and allow a photocopy of 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 vehicle description and license plate number of sellers vehicle used to transport scrap by photo or video tape
Keep a photograph or video tape showing the material, any ID numbers and the face of the seller (to be kept on file for a minimum of 90 days)
Keep a record of sellers name, address, phone number and date of sale
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 of the material and if the material is insulated.
- Sales tickets must show dollar amount paid to seller.
- 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 10 days (10 days for any material with an identification number, including vehicles).

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

Keep records, certifications, registrations, etc. on site for 2 years.

Scrap recyclers must maintain a record of all purchases for a minimum of two years and is subject to inspection by any law enforcement at any time. There is a 10-day tag-and-hold policy when notified by law enforcement to do so.

There is a 5-day tag-and-hold on all data or electrical wire and/or cable. All data or electrical wire and/or cable purchases must have signed notice of where the wire or cable came from, and a copy of the seller’s vehicle registration.

A scrap metal dealer shall immediately notify local law enforcement of the name and motor vehicle license plate number of any person offering to sell a bronze statue, plaque, historical marker, cannon, cannon ball, bell, lamp, lighting fixture, lamp post, architectural artifact or similar item.

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

Links to Other Important Information for Pennsylvania Salvage/Recycling

Auto-Parts Salvage/Recycling

· Tires – http://www.ecarcenter.org/pa/pa-tires.htm#regs

· State EPA on scrap - http://www.sourcewaterprotection.org/pdf/Junk%20Yard%20FS.pdf

· State laws on scrap yards - http://www.cga.ct.gov/2011/pub/chap405.htm