CA

California · Pull from yard

Verified

California Catalytic Converter Purchase Rules

Who you can buy from, what you must record, hold periods, and the penalty if you get it wrong when pull from yard catalytic converters in California. Sourced from the ReMA / ISRI State Metals Theft Law Database.

California · Bottom line

LOG VIN

Sourced fromReMA / ISRI State Metals Theft Law Database·Verified

California · At a glance

The Veh. Code § 10852.5 walk-in purchase restriction does not apply when you remove a cat from a vehicle you already own. Your obligations are recordkeeping-based: under AB 1740 (Bus. & Prof. Code § 21610) keep the source VIN, year/make/model and a copy of the title with the converter so any downstream buyer can verify the chain.

Counter checklist

  1. Recordkeeping

    Log source-vehicle VIN + title in dismantling record

    Record the source vehicle's VIN, year, make, model, and California title number when the converter is removed, and keep a copy of the title with the record. This is the recordkeeping AB 1740 added to Bus. & Prof. Code § 21610 for core recyclers.

    Statute

    Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 21610

  2. Recordkeeping

    Keep source VIN/title with unit for buyer verification

    Your downstream buyer may lawfully purchase a used converter from an individual only if title/registration shows a VIN matching the VIN permanently marked on the converter (Veh. Code § 10852.5(a)(6)), or from you as a licensed/authorized business (§ 10852.5(a)(1)-(5)). Keep the source VIN and title documentation with the unit so the buyer can satisfy § 10852.5. California does not require you to etch the VIN before sale.

    Statute

    Cal. Vehicle Code § 10852.5(a)

  3. Recordkeeping

    Photograph cat against source vehicle at removal

    Best practice: photograph the converter at removal alongside the source vehicle (with VIN visible) and attach it to the dismantling record. Note the statutory photo/video duty in Bus. & Prof. Code § 21610(d)(2) attaches to a core recycler PURCHASING a converter from a seller, not to removing one from a vehicle you already own — but keeping a removal photo strengthens the chain-of-custody your downstream buyer relies on under § 21610(d).

    Statute

    Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 21610(d)

Statute citations

  • Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 21600 – § 21610 (Junk Dealers and Recyclers)
  • Cal. Vehicle Code § 10852.5 (authorized-seller purchase restriction — applies to your buyer, not to your own removal)
  • Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 21610 (core-recycler recordkeeping: ID, photo/video, traceable payment, 2-year retention; year/make/model + copy of source-vehicle title added by AB 1740)

Source detail

Compliance data sourced from the Recycled Materials Association (ReMA / ISRI) State Metals Theft Law Database →

Last verified . ReMA updates the database periodically. Confirm against current statute before relying on this in compliance decisions.

Common questions

Can you pull from yard in California?
Yes — California permits this if you follow the state's recordkeeping, payment, and hold requirements. The Veh. Code § 10852.5 walk-in purchase restriction does not apply when you remove a cat from a vehicle you already own. Your obligations are recordkeeping-based: under AB 1740 (Bus. & Prof. Code § 21610) keep the source VIN, year/make/model and a copy of the title with the converter so any downstream buyer can verify the chain. (Quick reference, not legal advice — verify against current statute and your state recycler association before relying on this.)
What's the penalty for buying a catalytic converter illegally in California?
Making a false or fictitious statement in the records required by Bus. & Prof. Code § 21610 is a misdemeanor (§ 21610(i)); § 21610(k) adds escalating fines and possible suspension of business operations. Note: California statute does NOT impose a stand-alone duty to permanently VIN-mark a converter before onward sale — the VIN match in Veh. Code § 10852.5(a)(6) is a verification path for buying from an individual owner, so keeping the source VIN/title with the unit is what lets your downstream buyer lawfully purchase it. (Quick reference, not legal advice — verify against current statute and your state recycler association before relying on this.)
What records do you need to buy a catalytic converter in California?
Required at the counter: Log source-vehicle VIN + title in dismantling record; Keep source VIN/title with unit for buyer verification; Photograph cat against source vehicle at removal. (Quick reference, not legal advice — verify against current statute and your state recycler association before relying on this.)