Scrap metal prices per kg in South Africa
| Scrap type | Price (ZAR) | Change | Global reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-ferrous (per kg) | |||
| Copper Scrap | R 173.74 / kg | ▲ +1.22% | $5.81 / lb |
| Aluminum Scrap | R 26.02 / kg | ▲ +1.16% | $0.87 / lb |
| Brass Scrap | R 105.86 / kg | ▲ +1.14% | $3.54 / lb |
| Stainless Steel Scrap | R 17.04 / kg | ▲ +0.00% | $0.57 / lb |
| Lead Scrap | R 17.64 / kg | ▲ +0.00% | $0.59 / lb |
| Zinc Scrap | R 26.91 / kg | ▲ +0.00% | $0.90 / lb |
| Battery Scrap | R 6.88 / kg | ▲ +0.00% | $0.23 / lb |
| Radiator Scrap | R 99.88 / kg | ▲ +1.21% | $3.34 / lb |
| Wire Scrap | R 84.03 / kg | ▲ +1.44% | $2.81 / lb |
| Cable Scrap | R 55.92 / kg | ▲ +1.08% | $1.87 / lb |
| Electronic Scrap | R 23.92 / kg | ▲ +1.27% | $0.80 / lb |
| Ferrous and bulk (per tonne) | |||
| Steel Scrap | R 4,485 / tonne | ▲ +0.00% | $300 / ton |
| Iron Scrap | R 3,947 / tonne | ▲ +0.00% | $264 / ton |
| Car Scrap | R 5,383 / tonne | ▲ +0.00% | $360 / ton |
| Cast Iron | R 4,306 / tonne | ▲ +0.00% | $288 / ton |
Indicative dealer prices for clean, sorted scrap. Global reference is the US board in US dollars; the South Africa figure applies the exchange rate (1 USD = 15.96 ZAR) and a local market factor of 0.85.
Dealers quote non-ferrous scrap in rand per kilogram and ferrous scrap per tonne. Copper prices follow the LME in rand, less the discount required by the price preference system.
South Africa scrap price chart (ZAR)
Daily open, high, low and close for the most traded scrap metals in ZAR 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 South Africa
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 ZAR.
The scrap market in South Africa
South Africa's scrap market is shaped by policy: under the price preference system, scrap must first be offered to domestic consumers at a discount to the export price, and exports of some grades have been banned or taxed for periods to fight infrastructure theft and support local mills. Local prices therefore sit below international levels.
Gauteng, around Johannesburg, is the biggest collection and consumption hub; Durban and Cape Town handle exports when they are permitted.
- Currency
- South African rand (ZAR)
- Price units
- Per kg for non-ferrous, per tonne for ferrous
- Benchmarks
- LME prices in rand less the price preference discount
- Main hubs
- Johannesburg and Gauteng, Durban, Cape Town
- Trade position
- Exports controlled by the price preference system
The most valuable scrap by weight in South Africa today: Copper at R 173.74 per kg, Brass at R 105.86 per kg, Radiator at R 99.88 per kg, Wire at R 84.03 per kg, Cable at R 55.92 per kg.
Selling scrap metal in South Africa: rules, ID and payment
The Second-Hand Goods Act requires dealers to be registered and to record the seller's identity and the material; copper cable and other theft-prone grades face extra scrutiny and periodic export bans. Bring ID and proof of origin for cable, rail or infrastructure metal.
Before you sell
- Expect ID checks and questions about the origin of copper cable.
- Prices are discounted to export parity under the price preference system.
- Gauteng dealers pay the most; coastal prices depend on export permissions.
Scrap prices by city in South Africa
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 South Africa
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 South Africa 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.
South Africa scrap price FAQ
What is the scrap copper price per kg in South Africa today?
As of September 7, 2026, the indicative scrap copper price in South Africa is R 173.74 per kg ($5.81 per lb on the global board). Bare bright and clean number 1 copper earn the top of the range; insulated wire, tubing with solder and mixed copper pay less.
What are scrap metal prices in South Africa today?
Today's indicative non-ferrous prices in South Africa are Copper R 173.74 per kg, Brass R 105.86 per kg, Radiator R 99.88 per kg, Wire R 84.03 per kg, with steel scrap at R 4,485 per tonne. The full board above lists all 15 scrap types with the change against the previous close.
How are scrap prices quoted in South Africa?
Non-ferrous scrap is quoted in ZAR per kg and ferrous scrap per tonne. Dealers quote non-ferrous scrap in rand per kilogram and ferrous scrap per tonne. Copper prices follow the LME in rand, less the discount required by the price preference system.
Do I need ID to sell scrap metal in South Africa?
The Second-Hand Goods Act requires dealers to be registered and to record the seller's identity and the material; copper cable and other theft-prone grades face extra scrutiny and periodic export bans. Bring ID and proof of origin for cable, rail or infrastructure metal.
Which scrap metals pay the most in South Africa?
By weight, copper, then brass, then radiator, then wire. Ferrous scrap such as steel and iron pays far less per kg but moves in much larger volumes, which is why it is quoted per tonne.
Why are scrap prices in South Africa different from US prices?
Metals are priced in US dollars on the world market, but local prices reflect the ZAR exchange rate, freight to the nearest mills and smelters, import and export rules and how many buyers compete for material. The price preference system and export controls keep South African prices well below the US reference.
Sources and methodology
Prices on this page start from the global reference board (US dollars per pound or per ton), are multiplied by a South Africa market factor of 0.85 that reflects local demand, freight and trade rules, and are converted to ZAR at 1 USD = 15.96 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
- Metal Recyclers Association of South Africa (MRA)
- International Trade Administration Commission (ITAC) export rules, LME settlement prices
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.