California · Pull from yard
California · Bottom line
MARK VIN
Sourced fromReMA / ISRI State Metals Theft Law Database·Verified
California · At a glance
CA hard-stop on walk-in PURCHASES does not apply (you own the vehicle). But CA imposes a permanent VIN-marking requirement on cats sold onward — mark the converter with the source VIN before any downstream sale.
Counter checklist
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. Preserve the dismantler's chain-of-custody record.
Recordkeeping
Permanently mark cat with source VIN before any sale
Before selling the converter to any downstream buyer, etch or permanently mark the source vehicle's VIN onto the converter. AB 1740 / § 21610(i)(1) treats the absence of pre-sale VIN marking as a violation enforceable against both seller and downstream core recycler.
Statute
Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 21610(i)(1)
Statute: Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 21610(i)(1)
Recordkeeping
Photograph cat against source vehicle at removal
Photograph the converter at removal alongside the source vehicle (with VIN visible). Attach to the dismantling record.
Statute citations
- Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 21600 – § 21610 (Junk Dealers and Recyclers)
- Cal. Bus. & Prof. Code § 21610(i)(1) — VIN-marking-before-sale requirement
- Cal. Vehicle Code § 10852.5, § 220–221, § 10753, § 11500, § 24020; 49 U.S.C. § 30502 (NMVTIS)
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.
SafeYard · yardstack.org — Catalytic converter compliance reference for California (Pulling a catalytic converter from a vehicle on your yard). Last verified 2026-05-25. Sourced from ReMA / ISRI. Not legal advice; verify against current statute.