Sort before you sell
Dealers pay most for clean, single-grade scrap. Mixed or dirty loads are priced at the lowest grade in the pile. Common grades in India:
- Copper: bright/armature wire (bare, shiny, no insulation) gets the top rate; mixed copper (with solder or paint) less; insulated wire much less — strip it if you can.
- Brass: “honey” brass (taps, fittings, clean) vs mixed brass with iron attached.
- Aluminium: utensils (bartan), extrusions (window sections), cast (engine parts), cans and wire are priced differently.
- Iron & steel: heavy melting scrap (HMS 1 and 2), light iron (tin sheets, cans), and turnings/borings. Stainless steel is separate and pays more.
How to check a dealer’s weighing
- Weigh a known object (e.g. a 5 kg bag of rice) on the dealer’s scale first.
- Use a magnet: if it sticks, it’s iron/steel, not copper, brass or aluminium (most stainless steel is only slightly magnetic or not at all).
- Ask whether the rate is per kg after or before deduction.
GST on scrap
Businesses selling metal scrap usually charge GST (commonly 18% on ferrous and non-ferrous scrap), and special rules such as reverse charge or TCS can apply in some cases. Households selling their own scrap don’t charge GST. Check with your accountant for business sales.
Questions people ask
Why does insulated copper wire pay so little?
The dealer pays for the copper inside only, minus processing. Stripping wire yourself can double what you get, if it is safe and legal to do so.
How do I tell brass from copper?
Copper is reddish-pink; brass is yellow-gold. Both are non-magnetic.
Are scrap rates the same everywhere?
No. They follow the commodity market daily and vary by city and dealer. Call two or three dealers for today’s rate.
Sources
This tool does not show live scrap rates — enter the rates dealers quote you today. Last reviewed: November 2026.