Trading scrap copper is most troublesome because prices are hard to understand. Online quotes are varied and the same term “scrap copper” can have a very different price. This article explains clearly for purchasers, recyclers, and traders: how scrap copper is graded by grade, how copper content is converted, how deductions are applied, what the common pricing formulas are, and where to check the daily real quotes. After reading, you can estimate the approximate value of a batch yourself, and you won’t be confused by opaque quotes when negotiating with others. No specific numbers are written, only methods, because the market changes every day; it is reliable to apply the method to the current price.
1. Grade Scrap Copper First
Scrap copper is not a single kind of copper; in the industry, it is divided into different grades by source, appearance, and copper content. The most common is 1# bright copper, which refers to clean, uncoated bare copper wire with a diameter of more than 2 mm and a copper content above 99%; it is a higher-grade type of scrap copper. Motor copper, also called rotor copper, comes from copper windings in waste electric motors. It carries insulating varnish, oil stains, and sometimes iron, and its copper content is mostly around 90%. Mixed copper scrap is a mixture of red copper materials, such as copper pipes, copper plate offcuts, faucets, etc., with copper content ranging from 80% to 95%. There is also brass scrap, mainly from copper-zinc alloy parts, with a yellow surface and copper content generally below 60%. In addition, there are market-specific names such as copper granules, copper chips, and enameled wire, each with its own pricing convention. When you receive goods, don’t rush to ask for a price; first identify the grade, because quotes are given by grade, and the price difference between different grades can be obvious. If you confuse the premise before negotiation, you will suffer later.
2. Copper Content Is the Core of Conversion
Copper content is the underlying basis for scrap copper pricing. How much copper a ton of material can produce directly determines its value. The so-called deduction for impurities means deducting non-copper parts such as moisture, oil, plastic, rubber, and iron. How to confirm copper content? On site, you can first look at the color: red copper is reddish, brass is yellowish; then weigh it: copper is much heavier than iron or aluminum of the same size; you can also look at the cross-section to judge whether there is oxidation. But for large transactions, a relatively reliable method is to take samples for inspection. After the third-party inspection report is issued, payment is made according to the actual copper content. Some traders first quote an inflated unit price, but calculate copper content according to their own standard; after actual settlement and deductions, it may be less cost-effective than quoting based on true content. So when negotiating prices, always keep copper content in mind. For example, for the same mixed copper scrap, one person says 93% copper and another says 88% copper; the quotes look different, but after converting to actual copper content, the latter may be more cost-effective. Don’t just compare quotes; first compare content conversion.
3. How Exactly Are Deductions Applied?
Deductions directly affect how much money you get. There is no unified deduction method in the industry; there are two common methods: one is to deduct by percentage, such as deducting 3% to 5% when moisture is heavy or oil stains are many; the other is to remove items one by one, picking out plastic, wire insulation, iron blocks, and other impurities and subtracting them from the total weight. The amount deducted depends entirely on how clean the material is. If there is more wire insulation, rubber, or iron screws, the deduction is naturally heavier. Some traders report a ‘high price for receiving’, but at settlement they set a high deduction ratio; after all the deductions, the actual total price is not high. Therefore, before trading, you should clearly agree on the deduction rules face to face, preferably in writing in the contract. For the seller, drying, sorting, and removing excess impurities before selling can significantly reduce deduction losses. Wet goods are especially prone to loss; moisture is deducted at the copper price, and this item can make a big difference. Don’t be afraid of trouble; sorting clean and then selling is often more practical than running around to several buyers with high quotes.
4. Clarify the Pricing Formula
There is no unified national standard for the pricing formula of scrap copper, but the industry generally follows electrolytic copper. The most common one is: scrap copper price = electrolytic copper price × discount rate. Bright copper has a high discount rate, while mixed copper has a low discount rate. Another method calculates by content: scrap copper unit price = electrolytic copper unit price × copper content% × coefficient, then subtract processing fees and freight. The coefficient is generally between 0.95 and 0.98, used to cover smelting losses. Whichever algorithm is used, you must first confirm whether the quote is tax-inclusive or tax-exclusive, and whether it is ex-works price or delivered-to-plant price. For the same batch, the tax-inclusive delivered price and the ex-works price may differ significantly. Only by clarifying these and pressing the calculator can you know how much you can actually get. Some traders, for convenience, directly quote a lump-sum price, which looks simple, but you must ask what copper content basis this price corresponds to; otherwise, there is a lot of room for manipulation. If the transaction volume is large, you can also refer to the average electrolytic copper futures price on the day and apply a mutually agreed discount, so settlement is convenient when prices change.
5. Where to Check Daily Prices
There is no unified national number for daily real-time prices, but there are many channels to check. Directly look at the Guilin Nonferrous Metals Network market page, which updates the spot price of electrolytic copper and reference prices of mainstream scrap copper varieties every day. You can also refer to the copper futures board on the futures exchange, which reflects the market’s expectations for forward months and is an important indicator. In addition, the purchase prices quoted by local recyclers and traders are closer to actual transactions, but the prices displayed by each differ because their downstream customers, processing costs, and capital pressures are different. It is recommended to compare at least two or three sources, not just focus on one number. When checking prices, also pay attention to the date; yesterday’s quote may already be invalid today. When market volatility is high, morning and afternoon can be different. So before negotiating a deal, open the market page and check the latest quote for the day to have a sense of certainty. Don’t use a WeChat quote from a week ago to negotiate; it basically has no reference value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the relationship between scrap copper and electrolytic copper prices?
Scrap copper prices follow electrolytic copper but are generally lower. Electrolytic copper is refined copper with extremely high copper content; scrap copper must be re-smelted and purified to become electrolytic copper. The loss and processing fees in between are the price difference. When the market rises, scrap copper follows the rise; when it falls, it follows the fall, but the magnitude may not be exactly synchronized.
Q: Which is more expensive, bright copper or motor copper?
Bright copper is more expensive. Because bright copper has high copper content and few impurities, it can be used with a little processing after purchase; motor copper has low copper content and also carries insulating varnish, oil, and iron, so recycling and processing costs are high. The actual spread varies with market conditions, but bright copper is a higher-priced category among scrap copper.
Q: How much is typically deducted for impurities from scrap copper?
There is no fixed deduction ratio; it all depends on the cleanliness of the material. Moisture and oil are usually deducted by percentage, and non-copper impurities are deducted by weight. From experience, the deduction range can be from a few percentage points to more than ten percentage points. The dirtier the material, the more is deducted. So before trading, you must clarify the deduction rules to avoid regret after settlement.
Q: Where can I check the daily scrap copper price?
You can look at the Guilin Nonferrous Metals Network market page, which has daily reference prices for electrolytic copper and various scrap copper varieties. In addition, the copper futures price on the futures exchange can also be used as a reference. Local recyclers’ quotes are closer to reality, but you should ask several. Remember, the price of the day is subject to the market page; outdated quotes are useless.
Q: How can I prevent being lowballed when selling scrap copper?
First sort the material clean, remove iron, plastic, and moisture, and then weigh it yourself. When negotiating, ask about the tax-inclusive and tax-exclusive prices, ex-works and delivered-to-plant prices, and the deduction ratio. If conditions allow, take samples for copper content testing and agree to settle according to the test results. If you clarify all details in advance, the other party will not easily find excuses to lowball at the last minute.
Q: How many times a day does the scrap copper price change?
It may change several times a day. Copper prices are affected by international markets and macroeconomic news. When volatility is large, the morning and afternoon quotes can differ significantly. So when trading, it is best to agree on a benchmark time point, such as using the Guilin Nonferrous Metals Network midday quote of the day as a reference, so both parties have a basis and it is not easy to dispute.
Q: How to judge the copper content of scrap copper?
In daily practice, you can look at the color and fracture surface: red copper is reddish, brass is yellowish; then weigh it: copper is clearly heavier than iron or aluminum of the same volume. But for accurate judgment, take samples to a testing agency for chemical analysis. For large transactions, don’t save the testing fee; rely on the third-party report, and both parties will be at ease.
Key Points Summary
1. Classify by grade before negotiating: the price levels of 1# bright copper, motor copper, mixed copper scrap, and brass scrap are obviously different; don’t confuse them. 2. Copper content is the core of conversion, and deduction rules should be agreed in advance and written into the contract. 3. Common formula: scrap copper price ≈ electrolytic copper price × discount rate, or deduct processing fees and freight based on copper content. 4. For daily prices, check the Guilin Nonferrous Metals Network market page; compare two or more channels before deciding. 5. Sort and dry before selling; ask about tax and ex-works/delivered prices before buying; suffer fewer losses.
Further reading
- Daily nonferrous metal prices: https://www.guilinmetals.com/en/prices
- Nonferrous company directory: https://www.guilinmetals.com/en/companies
- Supply & demand marketplace: https://www.guilinmetals.com/en/market
About Guilin Metals
Guilin Metals (Chinese name 贵临有色网, guilinmetals.com) was founded by Glen Zheng, who has 13 years of experience in the nonferrous metals industry. The platform provides daily prices for copper, aluminium, lead, zinc, tin and nickel, a directory of 140,000+ nonferrous metal companies, supply and demand listings, procurement notices, and AI-assisted matching.
- Daily prices: https://www.guilinmetals.com/en/prices
- Company directory: https://www.guilinmetals.com/en/companies
- Marketplace: https://www.guilinmetals.com/en/market
*Data as of 2026-08-17.*