Why Grading Matters
The single biggest factor that determines your scrap price — after the metal type itself — is its grade. Two sellers bringing copper scrap to the same dealer on the same day can get vastly different prices. The difference comes down to grading: the purity, cleanliness, and form of the scrap metal.
Indian scrap markets use a combination of international ISRI (Institute of Scrap Recycling Industries) codes and local terminology. Understanding both will help you communicate effectively with dealers and ensure you're being paid fairly.
Iron and Steel Scrap Grades
HMS 1 (Heavy Melting Steel - Grade 1)
This is the premium grade of iron/steel scrap. It includes heavy structural steel, plates, beams, and rails with a minimum thickness of 6mm. HMS 1 must be free of tin, copper wire, and other non-ferrous contamination. In India, this typically comes from demolished buildings, old bridges, and heavy industrial equipment. Current rates: ₹28-35/kg depending on city.
HMS 2 (Heavy Melting Steel - Grade 2)
Lighter-gauge steel scrap including auto bodies, sheet metal, and light structural components. Thickness is typically 3-6mm. This is the most common grade in household scrap — old almirahs, bed frames, and iron gates fall into this category. Rates: ₹24-30/kg.
Shredded Steel
Pre-processed steel that has been shredded into fist-sized pieces. This is what most re-rolling mills prefer because it melts uniformly. If you're a large-volume seller, some dealers will shred your HMS and pay a premium for the convenience. Rates: ₹30-38/kg.
Tin Scrap (Tin Plate)
Used food cans, tin containers, and packaging. This is low-grade iron scrap because the tin coating must be removed during recycling. Most kabadiwallas buy this at ₹10-18/kg.
Copper Scrap Grades
Millberry (Bright Copper Wire)
The highest grade: clean, uncoated, unalloyed copper wire with 99%+ copper content. Sources include stripped electrical wire, transformer windings, and industrial cable. This fetches the highest rate — currently ₹650-750/kg in major cities.
Birch/Cliff (Mixed Copper)
Clean copper pipe, sheet, and bus bar with minimum 96% copper. May include some oxidation but must be free of solder, paint, and other metals. Rates: ₹580-650/kg.
Candy (Copper Tubing)
Clean copper tubing from AC condensers and plumbing. Must be free of fittings, solder, and paint. Rates: ₹550-630/kg.
PVC Wire (Insulated Copper)
Copper wire still in its plastic insulation. Dealers calculate the copper recovery rate (typically 40-70% of total weight depending on wire gauge) and price accordingly. Selling stripped wire at Millberry rates is always more profitable if you have the volume to justify the labor.
Aluminum Scrap Grades
Tense (Clean Cast Aluminum)
Cast aluminum from engine blocks, cylinder heads, and industrial castings. Must be free of iron inserts, plastic, and other metals. This is the premium aluminum grade. Rates: ₹130-170/kg.
Taint/Tabor (Old Sheet Aluminum)
Wrought aluminum from old window frames, doors, scaffolding, and structural components. May include some paint or anodizing. Rates: ₹110-150/kg.
UBC (Used Beverage Cans)
Aluminum drink cans collected from household waste. These are lightweight and bulky, so dealers may offer lower per-kg rates due to storage and transport costs. Rates: ₹80-120/kg.
Aluminum Foil and Utensils
Old cooking pots, pans, and aluminum foil. The rate depends on thickness and cleanliness. Heavy-gauge utensils fetch better rates than thin foil. Rates: ₹90-140/kg.
Brass Scrap Grades
Yellow Brass (Honey)
Common brass from old taps, door handles, decorative items, and plumbing fittings. Must be free of iron and plastic. Contains roughly 60-70% copper and 30-40% zinc. Rates: ₹350-450/kg.
Red Brass
Higher copper content brass (80-85% copper) from old valves and specialized fittings. Commands a premium over yellow brass. Rates: ₹400-500/kg.
Tips for Getting Grade-Accurate Pricing
- Always separate metals by type and grade before calling a dealer
- Remove non-metal attachments (plastic, rubber, wood) as much as possible
- Ask the dealer what grade they're classifying your scrap as — if they say "mixed" but you have clean sorted material, push back
- Use a magnet to verify — iron/steel is magnetic, copper and aluminum are not, stainless steel varies
- Check current rates on ScrapRates.in before negotiating