Do you guys have this problem in the UK, OR US ?

Here I need a permit to process the scrap i pickup in my garage. As in pick up a scrap washing machine and take it to my garage and keep it there overnight ? Does this sort of permit exist in the US or something similar ? Maybe there is a way to get around it ?

Nothing like that where I am. As for a solution - close the door

Yea I was just going to apply for the permit to haul the scrap and just do the rest behind closed doors.

Ys In NZ, if we are selling more than $2000 worth of scrap a year you are supposed to get a 'scrap sellers licence'.
Basicly its a peice of paper that tells the Police that you are doing a fair bit of scrapping, that you have a 'friendly relationship' with a scrapmetal dealer/buyer, that they can come around and have a 'open talk' with you when it suits.

Though its not nessary, it just makes things easyer. Also you might have to pay income tax, though that's a grey area if you work by yourself and you are not generation a main income from it.
It may also mean that the Police are open in what they do, and expect it from you too.
Ie, they expect you to report all thefts and suss like activity. It saves them time in the end.
All that, well you will probably get better prices at the yard...... and no 'stink eyes'. Not that happens to me.

Next step is a scrapmetal licence. With that you need a proper scale, tested yearly. Proper safety gear and operations, security.
With that, you can buy scrap directly from someone else at any location. Pay dealer rstes for the metal an get better prices for your metal from the main buyers.
You also get to buy many cars without needing a car dealers licence and operate as a second hand dealer.
The Police may also expect you to 'work' with them in confedence. Goes both ways that does.

Never heard of such a permit..but there's plenty I havent heard of…how did you find out about the permit requirement?

Just seems to me that regulators are ever more aware of money in scrapping and are coming up with increasng ways to get a chunk of the money without putting in the work. Like banks and their fees and everyone else. If only scrappers could get by with all the fees other companies charge!

But there's also the angle that regulators are actually attempting to cut down on thefts and dishonest scrapping, to the detriment of the honest scrappers.
Other angle police like is keeping the roads safe with no oversize loads, etc., etc., etc. Every occupation and situation I suppose has its' own unique viewpoint.
But what you describe seems extreme. Kinda scary that minding your own business trying to bring in some cash and regultaory arms stretch into your home.

Welcome jake.Im in Australia .We need a Australian Business Number and be registered for GST.Working from home in Australia can be hard as some councils make it near on impossible to opperate from home some places here you do need a permit to opperate a business from home , mainly due to noise and inviroment issues.The business number needed is to stop theft from construction sites etc.

Always interesting to hear how scrapping goes in other parts of the world. Regulations an licenses included.

Sirscrapalot - I'm sorry, if you were right, I'd agree with you. - Robin Williams 1952 to 2014

In the UK if you buy metals you have to be regestered in every area you buy in - Yes it costs and yes as with all goverment dept. it takes time.
If you 'store' it you have to be registered as a 'yard'.- Again at cost and time!
So you don't buy it as scrap but as components or parts - then scrap it as unwanted stock!--So far so good

British - Looking to see if 'red-tape' can be resold in bulk - Would make a packet here

Left of center ..... aus, uk, canada, etc. As you trend more toward socialism you get more bureaucracy and government control over what you're allowed to do.

If it's allowed to run to the extreme left you get what's called a totalitarian police state like what was found in the former USSR. In those places control over the population is absolute and personal freedoms are severely restricted. Most of the fruit of your labor is taken from you and fed into the collective. In return, the government is supposed to provide for your basic needs from cradle to grave.

It's a different political and economic system than we're used to here in the states.

~ Just an observation ~

Im from Malta