What's the penalty for buying a catalytic converter illegally in New York?

Purchasing from a non-permitted seller violates VAT § 415-a(14) and is a class A misdemeanor. Operating without giving notice to the Commissioner and obtaining scrap processor certification, or failing to keep the required records, violates VAT § 415-a(9) and is a class A misdemeanor; certification may also be revoked. (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 New York?

Required at the counter: Verify NY Commissioner cert + Article 6-C compliance; Verify Seller is title-holder of source vehicle; Record source-vehicle details + photograph. (Quick reference, not legal advice — verify against current statute and your state recycler association before relying on this.)

New York · Walk-in purchase

Verified

New York Catalytic Converter Purchase Rules

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

New York · Bottom line

NEED TITLE

Sourced fromReMA / ISRI State Metals Theft Law Database·Verified 2026-05-25

New York · At a glance

Walk-in must be the registered title-holder of the source vehicle • cats are 'major component parts' • full VAT § 415-A recordkeeping applies

Seller must qualify

Seller must be the registered title-holder of the source vehicle (or another permitted seller class)

Full rule + accepted documents

VAT § 415-A: A certified scrap processor shall not purchase any material that may have been a vehicle or major component part from any person other than: (a) a dealer registered under VAT § 415, (b) an insurance company, (c) a governmental agency, (d) a person in whose name a certificate of title or other ownership document has been issued for the source vehicle, or (e) another registered scrap processor. Catalytic converters are explicitly major component parts. Walk-in sellers must hold title or equivalent ownership document for the vehicle the converter came from.

Accepted documents

New York Certificate of Title for the source vehicle
Other ownership document issued for the source vehicle
DMV-issued transfer documents

Counter checklist

License
Verify NY Commissioner cert + Article 6-C compliance
Scrap Processor must give notice to the Commissioner that he is a scrap processor and has complied with GBL Article 6-C, and be certified by the Commissioner (VAT § 415-a(9)(a)). A junk-dealer license is also required from the mayor of the city or village, or the supervisor of the town; the statutory state fee is five dollars and the license expires June 30 each year (GBL § 60-A). Confirm any additional local fees with your municipality.
Statute
N.Y. V.A.T. § 415-a(9)(a); N.Y. G.B.S. § 60-A
Statute: N.Y. V.A.T. § 415-a(9)(a); N.Y. G.B.S. § 60-A
Seller ID
Verify Seller is title-holder of source vehicle
Confirm the Seller falls into a permitted class under VAT § 415-a(14): a dealer registered under VAT § 415, an insurance company, a governmental agency, a person in whose name a certificate of title or other ownership document has been issued for the source vehicle, or a person registered/certified or issued an identification number under § 415-a. For walk-in sellers, this almost always means producing title or other ownership document for the source vehicle.
Statute
N.Y. V.A.T. § 415-a(14)
Statute: N.Y. V.A.T. § 415-a(14)
Recordkeeping
Record source-vehicle details + photograph
Scrap Processor must maintain a record of vehicles and a record of major component parts by weight coming into his possession (catalytic converters are statutorily a major component part), in a manner prescribed by the Commissioner. Records must be produced and available for inspection by an agent of the Commissioner or any police officer during regular and usual business hours.
Statute
N.Y. V.A.T. § 415-a(9)(b)
Statute: N.Y. V.A.T. § 415-a(9)(b)

Statute citations

N.Y. G.B.S. Law Article 6-C § 69-e to § 69-h (Scrap Metal Processor)
N.Y. V.A.T. Law Title 4 Article 16 § 415-A (Vehicle Dismantlers + Scrap Processors)
N.Y. G.B.S. Law Article 6 § 60 to § 64 (Junk Dealers)

Recent amendments

2022 S9428: Strengthened catalytic-converter-specific provisions (effective 180 days after signing)

Source detail

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

Last verified 2026-05-25. ReMA updates the database periodically. Confirm against current statute before relying on this in compliance decisions.

Common questions

Can you buy a loose catalytic converter from a walk-in seller in New York?: Yes — New York permits this if you follow the state's recordkeeping, payment, and hold requirements. Walk-in must be the registered title-holder of the source vehicle • cats are 'major component parts' • full VAT § 415-A recordkeeping applies (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 New York?: Purchasing from a non-permitted seller violates VAT § 415-a(14) and is a class A misdemeanor. Operating without giving notice to the Commissioner and obtaining scrap processor certification, or failing to keep the required records, violates VAT § 415-a(9) and is a class A misdemeanor; certification may also be revoked. (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 New York?: Required at the counter: Verify NY Commissioner cert + Article 6-C compliance; Verify Seller is title-holder of source vehicle; Record source-vehicle details + photograph. (Quick reference, not legal advice — verify against current statute and your state recycler association before relying on this.)