Brass is one of the most commonly traded non-ferrous metals in Indian industry. Valves, fittings, bushes, electrical terminals, sanitary parts and machined components are all made of brass, and Uttar Pradesh has strong brass manufacturing and consumption traditions. For factories and maintenance stores in Varanasi and Purvanchal, brass scrap can be a meaningful source of income if handled well.
What is brass scrap?
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc, typically 60–70% copper. Other elements such as lead may be added for machinability. Because copper makes up most of its weight, brass prices move with copper prices, adjusted for zinc and processing costs.
Common brass scrap grades
Honey (yellow brass solids)
Clean yellow brass castings, rods, fittings and valves, free of iron and non-metal attachments. This is the benchmark grade.
Brass turnings
Chips and borings from machining brass parts. They usually contain cutting oil and moisture, so they are priced below solids unless dry and clean.
Plated brass
Brass with chrome or nickel plating, such as sanitary fittings. Plating reduces value slightly.
Brass with attachments
Valves with iron handles, brass fittings on iron pipe, or brass with rubber seals. These are priced lower unless separated.
Brass radiators and cartridge brass
Specialised grades with their own pricing.
Gunmetal and bronze
Gunmetal (copper–tin–zinc) and bronze (copper–tin) are not brass. They are generally more valuable and must be kept separate. Mixing gunmetal into brass loses value.
Indicative brass scrap rates (October 2026)
| Grade | Indicative ₹/kg |
|---|---|
| Honey / clean yellow brass solids | 400 – 430 |
| Plated brass fittings | 370 – 400 |
| Brass turnings (dry, clean) | 360 – 390 |
| Mixed brass with attachments | 320 – 360 |
| Gunmetal | Higher than brass; quoted separately |
These are indicative bands for industrial lots. Actual rates follow copper and zinc markets daily.
How to identify brass correctly
- Colour: Yellow to golden. Copper is reddish; gunmetal and bronze are more brownish.
- Magnet test: Brass is non-magnetic. If a magnet sticks, there is iron attached.
- Weight: Brass is heavy for its size, heavier than aluminium.
- Scratch test: Scratching the surface often reveals the true colour under tarnish.
If you are unsure, an experienced buyer or an XRF (X-ray fluorescence) analyser can identify the alloy.
How to raise your brass scrap value
- Separate brass from gunmetal and bronze. These alloys have different prices.
- Remove iron and steel. Unscrew handles, nuts and inserts.
- Remove rubber and plastic. Valve seals and plastic parts lead to deductions.
- Dry the turnings. Drain oil and let chips dry under cover.
- Keep plated brass separate from unplated solids.
- Store securely. Brass is easy to carry and a common target for theft.
Brass scrap from industrial sources
In Purvanchal, brass scrap mainly comes from:
- Pump and valve maintenance in factories, water works and irrigation projects.
- Electrical panels and terminals.
- Machine shops producing brass components.
- Sanitary and plumbing works in large buildings.
- Dismantled machinery with brass bushes and bearings.
Selling brass turnings from machine shops
Machine shops that produce brass components generate regular turnings. Because this scrap is generated continuously, a rate contract with a reliable buyer often makes sense. Agree on how moisture and oil will be measured and deducted, and keep turnings from different alloys separate.
Documentation and tax
Brass is a metal scrap, so GST applies on business sales, along with the metal scrap reverse charge and TDS provisions introduced in October 2024. TCS rules may also be relevant. Always confirm the current rules with your accountant and keep invoices, e-way bills and weighment slips.
Common mistakes with brass scrap
- Selling brass together with copper or gunmetal as "mixed".
- Not removing iron parts from valves.
- Selling wet, oily turnings without drying.
- Weighing on an unverified hand scale.
- Accepting deductions that were not agreed in advance.
Why brass prices change so often
Since brass is roughly two-thirds copper, any move in copper prices shows up quickly in brass rates. Zinc prices, which are also set on international markets, affect the remaining value. The rupee–dollar exchange rate matters too, because both copper and zinc are priced in dollars internationally. Local demand from brass foundries and re-rolling units adds another layer. The result is that brass rates can change several rupees per kg in a week. If you are selling a large lot, ask for a rate valid for a defined window and agree that weighment will happen within it.
A worked example
A pump repair workshop in Mirzapur collects 600 kg of old brass valves, impellers and fittings over a year. Many valves still have iron handles and bolts, some impellers are actually gunmetal, and a few fittings are chrome-plated. Sold as mixed brass, the whole lot might be priced at the lower mixed rate. After sorting into clean brass solids, gunmetal, plated fittings, and iron parts, the workshop gets the Honey rate on most of the brass, a higher rate on the gunmetal, and only slightly less on plated items. The iron is sold separately as MS scrap. The extra effort typically pays back several times over.
Brass in the Purvanchal economy
Uttar Pradesh has long-standing brass and metal handicraft traditions, and the wider region has foundries and re-rollers that consume brass scrap. This local demand helps sellers in Varanasi and Purvanchal, because clean brass can move quickly to nearby consumers without long transport. At the same time, these buyers are experienced and will spot mixed or contaminated material immediately, so preparation matters.
Storage and record-keeping
Because brass is valuable and compact, treat it like stock rather than waste. Keep it in a locked store, issue it out against a record, and weigh it when it goes in and when it leaves. Separate bins for solids, turnings, plated parts and gunmetal make grading easy. Ask maintenance teams to return replaced brass parts to the store rather than leaving them in workshops.
Choosing a buyer for brass
Look for a buyer who can identify alloys confidently, quotes each grade in writing, uses calibrated scales, pays promptly to your account, and issues GST invoices. For regular generators of turnings, check whether the buyer offers a contract linked to a copper benchmark.
Brass scrap glossary for sellers
Knowing the vocabulary helps you describe lots accurately and understand quotes:
- Yellow brass: The common copper–zinc alloy used in fittings and valves; the basis of the Honey grade.
- Red brass / composition: Higher-copper alloys containing tin and lead, often called gunmetal in India.
- Free-cutting brass: Brass with added lead for easy machining; common in turned components.
- Plated brass: Chrome- or nickel-plated fittings, typically sanitary ware.
- Brass honey: Trade shorthand for clean mixed yellow brass solids.
- Peetal: The common Hindi term for brass; useful when talking to local buyers.
- Kaccha / pakka brass: Informal terms for mixed vs clean brass in local markets; always clarify what is meant.
Brass selling checklist
- Separate yellow brass, gunmetal, bronze and copper.
- Remove iron, rubber and plastic from valves and fittings.
- Dry turnings and keep them free of oil and dust.
- Weigh in front of both parties on a calibrated scale.
- Ask for a written, grade-wise quote with validity.
- Confirm GST, TDS and invoicing with your accountant.
- Keep photos and weighment records for every lot.
Quick reference: brass versus look-alikes
| Metal | Colour | Magnet | Typical value vs brass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yellow brass | Bright yellow-gold | No | Baseline |
| Gunmetal / red brass | Brownish gold | No | Usually higher |
| Copper | Reddish brown | No | Much higher |
| Brass-plated steel | Yellow surface, grey inside | Yes | Much lower (priced as iron) |
How Kabadi24 buys brass scrap
Kabadi24 buys brass solids, turnings, valves, fittings and gunmetal from factories, machine shops and contractors across Varanasi, Chandauli, Mirzapur, Bhadohi and the wider Purvanchal region. We identify and separate grades on-site, quote each grade in writing, and weigh transparently. Contact our Ramnagar head office on +91 97115 93877.
Conclusion
Brass is valuable but easy to under-sell. Separate it from copper, gunmetal and iron, keep turnings dry, and insist on grade-wise written rates. A little preparation can add significant value to every lot.