N.C. Scrap Metal Buyer Permitting Law Goes Into Effect 1 October 2012

The act aims to cut down on theft by adding to the
paper trail for the sale of scrap metal; N.C. now has
a cap on cash purchase of metal at 100 USD

KINSTON, NC (FREE PRESS & JONES POST) --In order to address the steady increase in the theft of scrap metals, especially copper, the North Carolina General Assembly recently passed House Bill 199, the Metal Theft Prevention Act. On 1 October, the Act went into law. Now, any business involved in the purchase and recycling of metals must apply to the local sheriff’s office for a permit to be in compliance with the act. The permits are available free of charge and are valid for 12 months at “fixed sites in the county of issuance,” according to the LCSO. The law applies to purchasers of ferrous and nonferrous metals. Nonferrous metals such as copper, aluminum not used in cans and stainless-steel beer kegs do not have large amounts of iron and steel in them.The law also limits cash payments for metals — buyers of nonferrous metals cannot pay cash for copper, and any purchase of other nonferrous metals worth more than $100 must be paid by either check, cash card or money order. “A nonferrous metals purchaser shall not make more than one cash purchase per day from any individual, business, corporation or partnership,” the law states. Scrap yards already had to keep detailed records of customers who brought them scrap metal,  even taking their fingerprints if they brought in catalytic converters, air conditioning condensers or evaporator coils, but the new law also requires them to obtain a permit from the sheriff’s office and get a photo or video of the seller with the materials. Source: New Metal Theft Law Takes Effect Today (Reliability: High)

Comment: This is just one example of the legislature taking action against the increases in copper theft in the US. Law enforcement is attempting to take proactive steps to address these thefts. The permitting process in North Carolina and increased paper trail will likely discourage large-scale theft of copper in the state.