Copper Scrap Prices and Buying Guide Rates

Selling your copper scrap shouldn't be a guessing game. We provide the most accurate, up-to-date copper scrap prices, helping local electricians, plumbing contractors, and independent collectors secure the absolute best payouts for their materials. We break down exactly what we pay for every single copper grade—from bare bright Millberry wire to heavy industrial cables.

Quick Facts: Copper Scrap Recycling

• Average Payouts: Clean copper trades between R105 and R177/kg depending on LME fluctuations.
• Metals Accepted: Bare bright wire (Millberry), copper tubing, insulated cables, radiators, and braziery.
• Legal Requirements: You must present a valid ID and proof of address.
• Service Areas: and the greater.
• Payment Methods: Secure, instant EFT payments to comply with national scrap metal regulations.

The Complete 2026 Copper Scrap Price Guide

Copper futures fluctuate daily based on global demand, but we determine our final payouts by rigorously grading the purity of your material. To maximise your returns, you must understand exactly which category your non-ferrous metals fall into.

Below is an exhaustive breakdown of our current scrap metal prices for every type of copper scrap traded.

Average Copper Scrap Prices

Understanding Copper Scrap Grades

We evaluate copper price levels by classifying materials into distinct grades. Presenting clean, sorted copper scrap directly improves the financial returns you receive, and you can estimate your load with our calculator before you visit. Mixing lower-grade materials with premium wire will result in us downgrading the entire load.

No. 1 Copper: Millberry and Berry

Millberry is the industry term for bare bright copper wire. This is unalloyed, uncoated copper wire thicker than 16-gauge that has been mechanically stripped of its insulation. Because it requires zero processing before being melted down by custom smelters, it commands the absolute highest market rate.

Berry (No. 1 Copper) includes clean copper pipes, punchings, and heavy busbars. It must be completely free of brass fittings, solder, paint, and heavy oxidation to qualify for this premium tier.

No. 2 Copper: Birch and Cliff

Birch or Cliff (No. 2 Copper) consists of unalloyed copper that shows signs of oxidation, light coating, or contains trace amounts of solder. Burnt copper wire (if legally acquired and cleared with a police affidavit) also falls into this category, as the fire alters the metallurgical properties of the metal.

Insulated Copper Wire (ICW) Yields

Selling unstripped wire is common for contractors who lack the time to process cables manually. We calculate the price of Insulated Copper Wire based on its recovery yield, and you can compare our full cable and motor prices before dropping off. A thick underground mains cable contains 70-80% copper and fetches a high price, whereas a thin CAT5 internet cable might only yield 35% copper, resulting in a significantly lower price per kilogram.

What Drives Copper Scrap Prices Up or Down?

Copper scrap prices directly mirror the London Metal Exchange (LME) copper futures. However, local supply chains and regional demand also play a massive role in day-to-day payouts.

• Global Infrastructure Demand: Large-scale construction projects and the rapid expansion of electric vehicle (EV) manufacturing severely strain global copper reserves, pushing scrap values higher.
• Local Manufacturing Activity: Industrial buyers and foundries, and require vast amounts of recycled non-ferrous metals to sustain production, driving up regional competition.
• Currency Fluctuations: Because commodity benchmarks move internationally, the strength of the rand directly affects what we can afford to pay per kilogram.
• Contamination Levels: A single steel screw left inside a copper plumbing fixture can contaminate a smelting batch. We deduct heavy financial penalties for poorly sorted materials.

How to Sell Your Copper Scrap

Finding a transparent, licensed recycling centre is critical for maintaining a steady income stream from your industrial scrap. We service a wide range of clients who sell their copper to us, from individual homeowners clearing out renovation waste to massive engineering firms handling commercial quantities.

Local Drop-Off Facilities

Our yard at is equipped with a calibrated, legal-for-trade weighbridge that provides accurate weights right in front of the seller. These facilities easily accommodate contractors from surrounding areas like, and looking to offload copper tubing and yellow brass offcuts safely.

Mobile Skip Bins and Factory Clearances

Heavy engineering workshops generate massive volumes of copper turnings and thick industrial cables. Transporting this dense material requires heavy logistics.

We provide mobile pickup services, delivering heavy-duty skip bins directly to industrial sites. Once the bins are filled with your sorted copper and ferrous metals, our crane trucks collect them for immediate weighing and EFT processing, ensuring zero disruption to your factory operations.

Environmental Benefits & Regulatory Compliance

Beyond the immediate financial rewards, metal recycling is a vital component of 's sustainable waste management strategy. Recycling copper wire uses approximately 85% less energy than mining and refining primary copper ore, massively reducing industrial greenhouse gas emissions.

The scrap metal industry is tightly monitored to prevent the sale of stolen municipal infrastructure. We operate strictly under the Second-Hand Goods Act. Cash transactions for copper are heavily restricted; therefore, we execute all payouts via instant Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) to ensure transparent, traceable business practices.

Frequently asked questions

Should I strip my insulated copper wire before selling it?

Yes, if you have the time and the right tools. Stripping PVC insulation from electrical cables converts a mid-tier insulated wire price into a premium Millberry or No. 2 copper price. However, for massive volumes, it may be more cost-effective to sell it unstripped and let our mechanical granulators handle the labour.

Why do we refuse to buy burnt copper wire?

Burning copper wire to remove insulation is illegal under environmental laws due to the toxic fumes released. Furthermore, burnt wire is heavily associated with cable theft. We will strictly reject burnt copper unless accompanied by a verified police affidavit explaining its origin (such as a legitimate house or factory fire).

How do I separate my brass and copper plumbing fittings?

Copper pipes often feature brass valves or soldered joints. To get the No. 1 Copper price, you must use an angle grinder or pipe cutter to chop off the brass fittings. Place the clean copper pipes in one bin, and the brass fittings (Braziery) in another. If left attached, we will buy the entire piece at the lower Braziery rate.

Are electric motors worth selling for their copper?

Yes. Electric motors and fridge compressors are encased in heavy steel but hold tightly wound copper inside. The copper recovered from the windings is worth about R105 to R110 per kg; a whole motor pays a lower blended rate because it is mostly steel, so see our electric motors page for whole-unit rates.