Scrap copper prices UK
Refined copper scrap averaged £7,728 per tonne (£7.73 per kg) in July 2026, down 4% on the month before and up 31% on a year earlier. These are average UK export values from HMRC. They show the market trend, and a dealer's offer for your material will be lower.
Scrap copper prices UK in July 2026
| Material | Jul 2026, per tonne | Per kg | Month before | Change | A year earlier | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Refined copper scrap | £7,728 | £7.73 | £8,023 | down 3.7% | £5,877 | up 31.5% |
| Copper alloy scrap (not brass) | £8,027 | £8.03 | £6,642 | up 20.9% | £4,048 | up 98.3% |
| Brass scrap | £6,409 | £6.41 | £6,993 | down 8.4% | £5,626 | up 13.9% |
Refined copper scrap, month by month
| Month | Average per tonne | Per kg | Change | Tonnes exported |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 2026 | £7,728 | £7.73 | down 3.7% | 9,677 |
| June 2026 | £8,023 | £8.02 | up 5.4% | 10,898 |
| May 2026 | £7,610 | £7.61 | up 5.8% | 14,364 |
| April 2026 | £7,192 | £7.19 | down 5.1% | 9,755 |
| March 2026 | £7,582 | £7.58 | up 7.2% | 13,233 |
| February 2026 | £7,071 | £7.07 | up 9.3% | 11,009 |
| January 2026 | £6,472 | £6.47 | up 5.8% | 10,217 |
| December 2025 | £6,115 | £6.12 | up 3.0% | 12,159 |
| November 2025 | £5,936 | £5.94 | up 11.3% | 13,994 |
| October 2025 | £5,332 | £5.33 | down 6.8% | 12,310 |
| September 2025 | £5,723 | £5.72 | down 4.3% | 11,061 |
| August 2025 | £5,983 | £5.98 | up 1.8% | 12,870 |
| July 2025 | £5,877 | £5.88 | n/a | 13,676 |
How to read these figures
These are average values, not offers. HMRC records the value and weight of the scrap and recovered material that leaves the UK, and dividing one by the other gives a price per tonne.
- They reflect large, sorted loads that are ready for export.
- A dealer buying from your business will pay less, to cover collection, sorting and their margin.
- Use them to follow the direction of the market and to judge whether a quote is reasonable.
What affects the price you are offered
- Grade and cleanliness. Sorted, clean material earns the most.
- Quantity. Regular, larger loads earn better terms.
- Distance. Haulage comes out of the price.
Our guide explains the grades and how to prepare your material: How to sell scrap copper.
Register and list your scrap copper
Frequently asked questions
How much is scrap copper worth per kg?
Based on HMRC export figures for July 2026, refined copper scrap averaged £7.73 per kg, which is £7,728 per tonne. A dealer buying from you will pay less than this, to cover collection, sorting and their margin.
Is the price of scrap copper going up or down?
In July 2026 refined copper scrap was down 4% on the month before and up 31% on a year earlier. Over the last 12 months it has ranged from £5,332 to £8,023 per tonne.
Is this the price a dealer will pay me?
No. These figures are the average value of UK exports recorded by HMRC, which reflects large, sorted loads that are ready for export. A dealer buying from your business will offer less, depending on grade, quantity and distance. Use the figures to follow the market and to judge whether a quote is reasonable.
Why do scrap copper prices change so often?
Scrap copper follows the London Metal Exchange copper price and the value of the pound, and both move every day. Demand from overseas buyers also affects what exporters will pay.
Is copper wire worth more than copper pipe?
Usually, yes. Dealers pay the most for bright wire, which is clean, uncoated wire, then for clean pipe and tube, then for mixed or soldered copper. Insulated cable earns the least by weight, because it is priced on the copper inside it. HMRC figures do not separate these grades.
Can I be paid cash for scrap copper?
No. Scrap metal dealers in England and Wales have not been allowed to pay cash since December 2012, and Scotland brought in the same rule in September 2016. Dealers pay by bank transfer or cheque, and they must check your identity.
Does my business need a licence to sell scrap copper?
No. You do not need a licence to sell scrap from your own business. You do have a duty of care, which means using a licensed scrap metal dealer or a registered waste carrier and keeping a waste transfer note for each load.
How often are these prices updated?
Monthly. HMRC publishes trade figures about six weeks after the end of each month, and this page updates automatically when new figures arrive.
More prices: Scrap metal prices, Scrap brass prices, Scrap aluminium prices, all prices.