What This Site Is
ScrapDealerGuide is an independent informational website covering scrap metal dealer registration requirements, catalytic converter purchasing laws, prohibited items rules, seller ID requirements, payment delay mandates, and compliance best practices across all 50 states.
The site was built because this information genuinely does not exist in one organized place. State agency websites are often outdated, industry PDFs are written for lawyers, and search results surface articles from 2018 that pre-date the wave of catalytic converter legislation that swept the country between 2021 and 2024. Dealers — especially those opening their first yard or expanding into a new state — need current, plain-English answers fast.
Who This Site Is For
New Scrap Dealers
People opening their first yard and trying to understand what registration, bonding, recordkeeping, and prohibited items rules actually require before they spend money on infrastructure.
Existing Dealers Updating Compliance
Established operations that need to understand what changed in 2022–2024 catalytic converter legislation in their state and whether their current procedures are still compliant.
Multi-State Operators
Businesses expanding into new states who need to understand how registration requirements, bond amounts, and prohibited items lists differ from their home state.
Industry Researchers
Journalists, academics, and industry analysts who need a consolidated starting point for understanding the regulatory landscape of secondary metals recycling in the United States.
Our Editorial Standards
Every compliance guide on this site cites the specific statute section being discussed. We do not publish information without a traceable regulatory source. When requirements are uncertain, vary by locality, or are in active flux from recent legislation, we say so explicitly rather than projecting false certainty.
| Standard | How We Apply It |
|---|---|
| Statute citations | Every state requirement references the specific code section (e.g., Texas Occupations Code § 1956, Florida Chapter 538) |
| Date transparency | Time-sensitive pages display a last-reviewed date; we flag when laws were recently amended |
| Uncertainty disclosure | When local rules vary or we are uncertain of current status, we say so and link directly to the state agency |
| No legal advice | Every guide includes a disclaimer that this is informational, not legal advice, with guidance to verify with state agencies |
| Reader corrections | Law changes and corrections submitted through the contact form are reviewed and applied |
What We Cover
- State-by-state registration requirements — which agency, which form, what fee, how to renew
- Catalytic converter laws — the most actively legislated area of scrap dealer regulation since 2021
- Prohibited items lists — what dealers cannot legally purchase in each state
- Seller ID requirements — what to collect, how long to retain it, electronic reporting obligations
- Payment delay laws — mandatory hold periods by state and material type
- Recordkeeping and compliance — how to organize records and survive an inspection
- Federal requirements — OSHA, EPA, and federal stolen property statutes that apply alongside state law
- Free tools — state lookup, prohibited items checker, payment delay lookup
Revenue and Independence
This site displays Google AdSense advertisements. Ad revenue supports ongoing content maintenance and updates. We do not accept paid content placements, sponsored articles, or affiliate compensation from scrap management software vendors, surety bond companies, or other industry vendors. Our content editorial decisions are made independently of any commercial relationships.
Accuracy and Currency
Scrap metal laws change frequently — particularly catalytic converter legislation, which has been amended in multiple states in each of the past four years. We review high-traffic pages regularly and prioritize updates when new legislation is enacted. However, this site may not always reflect the most recent amendment.
Contact and Corrections
Found an error? Laws change, and reader corrections from working dealers are the most reliable way to keep state-specific information current. Use the contact form to submit corrections with your source citation and we will review and update promptly.
ScrapDealerGuide is an independent informational resource not affiliated with any government agency, the Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries (ISRI), or any industry association. Content is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.