Louisiana Scrap Metal Dealer Registration Requirements

Louisiana regulates scrap metal dealers under Louisiana Revised Statutes § 37:1731 et seq. (the Scrap Metal Recycling Act). The Louisiana Department of Revenue administers dealer registrations.

Registration at a Glance

Item	Detail
Issuing agency	Louisiana Department of Revenue
Annual fee	$100 per location
Surety bond	$10,000 required
Payment hold	3 business days — copper, bronze, catalytic converters
Cash payment	No cash for regulated metals
Electronic reporting	Required — LeadsOnline or equivalent (daily)
Thumbprint required	Yes — for copper and catalytic converter transactions
Record retention	2 years

LeadsOnline Reporting

Louisiana requires daily electronic reporting of all regulated metal transactions to the LeadsOnline system. You must create a LeadsOnline account and configure your transaction management system to submit data within 24 hours of each purchase. LeadsOnline charges a per-transaction fee — contact them directly for current pricing.

Thumbprint Requirement

Louisiana requires dealers to obtain a thumbprint from sellers in copper wire and catalytic converter transactions. The thumbprint must be recorded on the transaction form and retained with other transaction documentation for 2 years. This is an in-person requirement — you cannot purchase these materials remotely or through an intermediary without a thumbprint on file.

Louisiana Catalytic Converter Requirements

In addition to the standard Louisiana requirements, catalytic converter transactions require: VIN of the source vehicle, current vehicle registration or title, photograph of the converter and the seller, thumbprint, check payment only (no cash), and a 3-business-day hold. Louisiana's catalytic converter law also prohibits purchasing from any vehicle that does not have a current Louisiana registration or from an adjacent state.

FAQ

Louisiana law specifies a "thumbprint" but does not mandate ink vs. digital capture. Most compliant dealers use either an ink pad with a printed form or a digital thumbprint scanner integrated with their transaction management software. Digital capture is generally accepted as long as the image is retained in your records system and can be printed during an inspection. Consult your local sheriff's enforcement division for their specific preference if you are uncertain.

Verify current Louisiana requirements at revenue.louisiana.gov. Not legal advice.