Question 1

What is ScrapTrade?

Accepted Answer

ScrapTrade is a global digital marketplace connecting scrap sellers and buyers. Trade any scrap material via fixed-price listings or live auctions. All listings are verified by our team before going live, payments are secured via Stripe escrow, and our platform operates across 50+ countries.

Question 2

Who can use ScrapTrade?

Accepted Answer

Anyone who buys or sells scrap: individuals clearing out metal, professional scrap dealers (Traders), industrial companies and recyclers (Businesses), and international buyers looking for bulk scrap materials.

Question 3

Is it free to join?

Accepted Answer

Free to register and list. ScrapTrade earns a 1% commission only on completed sales. There are no monthly fees, no listing fees, and no subscription required.

Question 4

What countries does ScrapTrade operate in?

Accepted Answer

ScrapTrade is a global platform. Sellers and buyers operate in 50+ countries. The platform supports multi-currency pricing with automatic conversion at current exchange rates.

Question 5

How do I create an account?

Accepted Answer

Click Register, enter your email address, receive a 6-digit OTP verification code, verify your email, choose your role (Individual, Trader, or Business), and you're in. The whole process takes under two minutes.

Question 6

How do I list scrap for sale?

Accepted Answer

Click "Sell Scrap" in the bottom navigation, then complete the 4-step listing wizard: (1) Details — material category, type, condition; (2) Pricing — fixed price or auction; (3) Photos — upload 6–10 clear images; (4) Location — city, country, port. AI can generate your description automatically.

Question 7

What is video verification?

Accepted Answer

After creating a listing, you record a short live video of your scrap at its actual location. The video — along with your live GPS coordinates — is reviewed by our team within 24 hours to confirm the material exists as described before the listing goes live.

Question 8

Why do I need to record a video?

Accepted Answer

International buyers cannot physically inspect your scrap before purchasing. Video verification with live GPS coordinates is our primary trust mechanism — and it protects you too, proving the material existed as listed at the time of sale.

Question 9

How long does verification take?

Accepted Answer

Typically under 24 hours. Complex listings or large volumes may take up to 48 hours. You will receive an email notification when your listing is approved or if more information is needed.

Question 10

What scrap can I sell?

Accepted Answer

Ferrous metals (steel, iron, HMS), non-ferrous metals (copper, aluminium, brass, lead, zinc), electronic waste (e-waste), plastic, paper and cardboard, rubber, automotive scrap, construction waste, industrial scrap, and more. Contact support if your category is not listed.

Question 11

How do I price my scrap?

Accepted Answer

Use our AI Price Suggestion feature. Enter the material type, condition, quantity, and country — our AI gives you a suggested price range based on current market data. You can also browse recent completed listings in your category to calibrate.

Question 12

Which incoterm should I choose?

Accepted Answer

EXW (Ex Works) means the buyer collects from your location — easiest for sellers with no export license. FOB (Free on Board) means you deliver to the port and load. CIF (Cost Insurance Freight) means you arrange full shipping to the buyer's port — higher price, wider buyer pool. Most small sellers start with EXW.

Question 13

When do I get paid?

Accepted Answer

After the buyer confirms delivery, payment is released from Stripe escrow to your linked account within 48 hours. For disputed orders, our team mediates and issues a binding decision within 5 business days.

Question 14

What is the 1% commission?

Accepted Answer

ScrapTrade takes 1% of the final sale price, automatically deducted before payout. If you sell $10,000 of scrap, ScrapTrade earns $100 and you receive $9,900. There are no other platform fees for sellers.

Question 15

Can I cancel a listing?

Accepted Answer

Yes, before any bids or orders are placed. Once an auction has active bids, you cannot cancel without contacting our support team. Fixed-price listings can be cancelled at any time prior to a buyer initiating payment.

Question 16

How do I find scrap to buy?

Accepted Answer

Browse the marketplace at /marketplace. Filter by material category, country of origin, incoterm, and price range. Use the search bar for specific materials, grades, or seller names.

Question 17

How do auctions work?

Accepted Answer

Auction listings run for a set time period chosen by the seller. Each bid must be at least 1% above the current highest bid. You receive push notification and email if someone outbids you. The highest bidder when the auction timer expires wins the lot.

Question 18

What is "Make an Offer"?

Accepted Answer

On fixed-price listings marked "Accepts Offers", you can submit an offer below the asking price. The seller can accept your offer, reject it, or counter with a different price. You then have the option to accept or decline the counter.

Question 19

What is a Purchase Requisition?

Accepted Answer

Post exactly what scrap you need — material, quantity, grade, delivery country, and budget. Sellers who can supply it respond with quotes. You review all offers and accept the best one. Ideal when you cannot find the exact material in active listings.

Question 20

How are payments processed?

Accepted Answer

All payments are processed via Stripe. Accepted methods include credit/debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex) and bank transfers where available. Your payment is held by Stripe in escrow until you confirm delivery.

Question 21

Is my payment protected?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Stripe holds your payment in escrow until delivery is confirmed. If there is a dispute, our team investigates and mediates. Refunds can be issued if the seller misrepresented the material.

Question 22

What if the scrap is not as described?

Accepted Answer

Raise a dispute within 48 hours of delivery via the order detail page in your dashboard. Our team investigates by reviewing listing details, verification video, and evidence from both parties. Payments can be reversed if the seller misrepresented the material.

Question 23

How do I arrange shipping?

Accepted Answer

Coordinate via the in-app chat, which is unlocked after payment is confirmed. For FOB and CIF listings, the seller handles port delivery. For EXW, you arrange collection from the seller's location. Integrated freight quote tools are planned for a future update.

Question 24

What payment methods are accepted?

Accepted Answer

Visa, Mastercard, American Express, and bank debit (availability varies by country). All payments are processed via Stripe's secure checkout. Card details are never stored on ScrapTrade servers.

Question 25

What currencies are supported?

Accepted Answer

20+ currencies including USD, EUR, GBP, AUD, INR, AED, SGD, CAD, JPY, CNY, SAR, MYR, and more. Listings can be priced in any supported currency with automatic conversion at current exchange rates.

Question 26

When is payment released to the seller?

Accepted Answer

Payment is released after the buyer clicks "Confirm Delivery", or automatically 14 days after the recorded shipping date if no dispute has been raised.

Question 27

Can I get a refund?

Accepted Answer

Refunds are available if the seller misrepresented the material — raise a dispute from the order page within 48 hours of delivery. Refunds are not available for change of mind after payment has been made.

Question 28

What is the platform fee?

Accepted Answer

1% of the final transaction value, charged to the seller only. Buyers pay no platform fees. The fee is deducted automatically before payout to the seller.

Question 29

How does ScrapTrade verify sellers?

Accepted Answer

All listings require a live video recording with GPS coordinates before going live. Our admin team reviews each submission and can reject listings that do not match the description. Optional identity verification earns a Verified badge on the seller profile.

Question 30

What is GPS verification?

Accepted Answer

When recording the verification video, your device's GPS coordinates are captured and timestamped by our app. This proves the material is at the stated location at the time of listing — critical for international buyers who cannot inspect in person.

Question 31

How do I know a seller is legitimate?

Accepted Answer

Look for: a Verified badge, high star rating, number of completed trades, GPS-verified listing badge, and established account age. All of these are visible on the seller profile and individual listing pages.

Question 32

What happens in a dispute?

Accepted Answer

Either party can raise a dispute from the order page. Our team reviews evidence from both sides within 5 business days. Outcomes include: payment released to seller, full refund to buyer, or a negotiated partial refund based on the facts.

Question 33

How is my data protected?

Accepted Answer

All data is encrypted in transit (TLS 1.3) and at rest (AES-256). We never store payment card details — Stripe handles all card data under PCI-DSS compliance. See our Privacy Policy for full details on data handling and your rights.

Frequently Asked Questions

Getting Started

For Sellers

For Buyers

Payments & Fees

Safety & Trust

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