Scrap metal prices per kg in Russia
| Scrap type | Price (RUB) | Change | Global reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-ferrous (per kg) | |||
| Copper Scrap | RUB 854.45 / kg | ▲ +2.30% | $5.78 / lb |
| Aluminum Scrap | RUB 119.74 / kg | ▲ +1.25% | $0.81 / lb |
| Brass Scrap | RUB 517.40 / kg | ▲ +1.45% | $3.50 / lb |
| Stainless Steel Scrap | RUB 84.26 / kg | ▲ +0.00% | $0.57 / lb |
| Lead Scrap | RUB 87.22 / kg | ▲ +0.00% | $0.59 / lb |
| Zinc Scrap | RUB 133.05 / kg | ▲ +0.00% | $0.90 / lb |
| Battery Scrap | RUB 34.00 / kg | ▲ +0.00% | $0.23 / lb |
| Radiator Scrap | RUB 490.79 / kg | ▲ +2.15% | $3.32 / lb |
| Wire Scrap | RUB 412.44 / kg | ▲ +2.20% | $2.79 / lb |
| Cable Scrap | RUB 274.96 / kg | ▲ +2.20% | $1.86 / lb |
| Electronic Scrap | RUB 118.26 / kg | ▲ +2.56% | $0.80 / lb |
| Ferrous and bulk (per tonne) | |||
| Steel Scrap | RUB 22,174 / tonne | ▲ +0.00% | $300 / ton |
| Iron Scrap | RUB 19,513 / tonne | ▲ +0.00% | $264 / ton |
| Car Scrap | RUB 26,609 / tonne | ▲ +0.00% | $360 / ton |
| Cast Iron | RUB 21,287 / tonne | ▲ +0.00% | $288 / ton |
Indicative dealer prices for clean, sorted scrap. Global reference is the US board in US dollars; the Russia figure applies the exchange rate (1 USD = 83.82 RUB) and a local market factor of 0.80.
Yards quote in roubles per kilogram, and by the tonne for volume. Prices here are derived from the exchange settlement, converted to roubles, and adjusted by a market factor of 0.80, the lowest on this site, reflecting a market where the great majority of collected scrap has no economic route out of the country and domestic mills therefore face limited competition for it. The factor is published on the editorial policy page and is open to challenge.
Russia scrap price chart (RUB)
Daily open, high, low and close for the most traded scrap metals in RUB per kg or per tonne. Scroll to zoom and drag to move along the timeline.
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Copper scrap prices by grade in Russia
Copper is not one price. Yards grade it by cleanliness, coating and gauge, and the spread from the top grade to the bottom runs 25 to 35 percent. These are the same grades used on export contracts, converted to RUB.
The scrap market in Russia
Russia does not ban scrap exports and does not leave them free. It runs a tariff quota, and the gap between being inside it and outside it is the largest single number in Russian scrap.
Ferrous scrap exported outside the Eurasian Economic Union within the quota attracts a duty of 5 percent, but not less than 15 euros a tonne. The same material exported beyond the quota attracts 5 percent, but not less than 290 euros a tonne. That is roughly a nineteenfold difference on the floor rate, decided entirely by whether you hold an allocation.
The quota for 2026 was set at 2.2 million tonnes, extended to 31 December 2026. That is 400,000 tonnes more than the previous decision taken in August 2025, and the government's stated reasoning was that it lets the industry sell abroad additional volume not in demand on the domestic market.
For scale: Minpromtorg recorded a record collection of more than 30 million tonnes of ferrous scrap in Russia in 2021. The export quota is a fraction of what the country generates, which tells you the policy is about keeping most of it at home.
- Currency
- Russian rouble (RUB)
- Units
- Kilogram, and by the tonne for volume
- Market factor
- 0.80 (our assessment, published on the editorial policy page)
- Quota 2026
- 2.2 million tonnes, to 31 December 2026
- Duty in quota
- 5 percent, minimum 15 euros a tonne
- Duty out of quota
- 5 percent, minimum 290 euros a tonne
- Legal basis
- Government decree 2259 of 22 December 2023
The most valuable scrap by weight in Russia today: Copper at RUB 854.45 per kg, Brass at RUB 517.40 per kg, Radiator at RUB 490.79 per kg, Wire at RUB 412.44 per kg, Cable at RUB 274.96 per kg.
What you can expect to be paid in Russia
Scrap is weighed and paid by the kilogram in Russia, in RUB. Typical ranges are Copper: RUB 750 to RUB 955 per kg; Brass: RUB 455 to RUB 580 per kg; Aluminium: RUB 105 to RUB 135 per kg; Zinc: RUB 115 to RUB 150 per kg; Lead: RUB 77 to RUB 98 per kg; Stainless steel: RUB 74 to RUB 94 per kg. Across common non-ferrous grades that puts most material between RUB 74 and RUB 955 per kg, with copper at the top of the range and stainless steel near the bottom.
These are ranges rather than quotes. The band reflects day-to-day movement in the metal market and the spread between one yard and another, which our own research has found can reach 40 percent or more for the same metal in the same city. The midpoint is derived from the international exchange settlement converted to RUB and adjusted by our published market factor of 0.80. Expect a local buyer to sit toward the lower end, because they carry collection, sorting, processing and their own margin. Always confirm the rate per kilo for your specific grade before anything is weighed.
- Copper: RUB 750 to RUB 955 per kg
- Brass: RUB 455 to RUB 580 per kg
- Aluminium: RUB 105 to RUB 135 per kg
- Zinc: RUB 115 to RUB 150 per kg
- Lead: RUB 77 to RUB 98 per kg
- Stainless steel: RUB 74 to RUB 94 per kg
Selling scrap metal in Russia: rules, ID and payment
The quota was introduced as a special protective measure by government decree 2259 of 22 December 2023. Minpromtorg distributes it among foreign trade participants, allocating on the basis of historical export data, with a declarative route for companies exporting ferrous scrap and waste for the first time.
The instrument that carries the allocation is a Minpromtorg licence, issued for one calendar year. Without it you are not prohibited from exporting; you are exporting at the out-of-quota rate, which for most consignments is the same thing commercially.
Precious metals are separate and stricter. The temporary ban on exporting waste and scrap of precious metals was extended to the end of November 2026.
The quota has moved repeatedly and not always upward. It ran at 550,000 tonnes for the second half of 2024, which was itself 50,000 tonnes below the first half of that year. Anyone planning against it should check the current figure rather than assume continuity.
Before you sell
- Establish whether you have a quota allocation before you price anything for export. The floor duty difference is 15 euros against 290 euros a tonne.
- A Minpromtorg licence runs for one calendar year, so confirm the expiry as well as the existence.
- If you are a first-time exporter, there is a declarative route for quota applications rather than only historical allocation.
- Treat precious metal scrap as a separate legal question. The export ban on it runs to the end of November 2026.
- For domestic sales, expect rates well below international levels. That is the intended effect of holding most of 30 million tonnes inside the country.
- Check the current quota volume. It has been revised repeatedly, including downward.
Scrap prices by city in Russia
City pages carry local yard prices and directories for the main scrap markets. Pages that are not live yet are shown without a link.
Scrap yards in Russia
Find a yard by region or city, or use your location to see the nearest. Every listing shows where its details came from and when they were checked.
Yard listings for Russia are being added from official dealer registers and trade directories. Nothing is published until it has been verified against a named source, which is why this section is not yet populated.
Russia scrap price FAQ
Can scrap be exported from Russia?
Yes, but within a tariff quota. Ferrous scrap and waste exported outside the Eurasian Economic Union within the quota attracts 5 percent duty, minimum 15 euros a tonne. Beyond the quota it is 5 percent, minimum 290 euros a tonne.
How big is the quota?
2.2 million tonnes for 2026, running to 31 December 2026. That is 400,000 tonnes more than the previous decision taken in August 2025, which the government said allows the industry to sell abroad volume not in demand domestically.
Who decides who gets an allocation?
Minpromtorg distributes the quota among foreign trade participants, allocating on the basis of historical export data. Companies exporting ferrous scrap for the first time can apply through a declarative route.
What is the Minpromtorg licence for?
It is what allows you to export at the reduced in-quota duty rather than the out-of-quota rate. It is issued for one calendar year, so both its existence and its expiry date matter.
What happens without a licence?
You are not prohibited from exporting. You are exporting at 5 percent with a floor of 290 euros a tonne instead of 15. For most consignments that difference decides the transaction.
How much scrap does Russia collect?
Minpromtorg recorded a record of more than 30 million tonnes of ferrous scrap collected in 2021. Against a 2.2 million tonne export quota, the great majority of it stays in the country.
What about precious metal scrap?
Separate and stricter. The temporary ban on exporting waste and scrap of precious metals was extended to the end of November 2026.
Has the quota been stable?
No. It ran at 550,000 tonnes for the second half of 2024, itself 50,000 tonnes below the first half of that year, before rising to the current level. Check the figure in force rather than assuming continuity.
Where does Russian scrap go?
Trade commentary identifies Turkey and India as the demand centres supporting export prices. European routes closed to most Russian metal products after sanctions, with slabs the notable exception.
What should I ask a Russian buyer?
Whether they hold a current Minpromtorg licence and a quota allocation. That determines whether they are competing for your material against international buyers or only against other domestic mills, which is the difference that sets your price.
Sources and methodology
Prices on this page start from the global reference board (US dollars per pound or per ton), are multiplied by a Russia market factor of 0.80 that reflects local demand, freight and trade rules, and are converted to RUB at 1 USD = 83.82 and to metric units (kilograms and tonnes). The board refreshes daily, with the time of the latest update shown at the top of the page.
Reference sources
- Russian government announcements on the extension of the tariff quota on ferrous scrap exports
- Government decree 2259 of 22 December 2023 introducing the tariff quota as a special protective measure
- Minpromtorg licensing requirements for the export of ferrous scrap and waste
Prices are indicative and for information only; they are not offers to buy or sell. Actual yard prices depend on grade, quantity, location and the buyer. Spotted an error? Tell us and we will check it against our sources.