Which printed circuit boards are worth the most?

All circuit boards can be sold for cash, but there are significant differences. At Krommenhoek Metals, for example, the price per kilo ranges from €1.00 for the simplest type to €17.50 for the most complex. Yes, that’s quite a difference! Which of the two you have in your hands depends mainly on the device the board came from. So read on to find out more.

Which circuit boards are the most profitable?

Rule of thumb: the more complex the device, the more valuable the circuit board. These are the standard prices as of August 18, 2026, for clean circuit boards.

It's interesting to note that a motherboard from an older desktop is worth more than twice as much as a modern one. So, when it comes to printed circuit boards, newer ones aren't automatically more valuable.

Individual sheets with no clear origin are classified into grades based on their precious metal content:

It's hard to determine the grade on your own. But you don't have to: the buyers will help you sort it out. Prices fluctuate with market rates, so check the current scrap prices for today's rates.

Why does the price per kilogram vary so much?

The value lies in four metals: gold in the gold-plated contacts and connectors, silver in the solder joints, palladium in the components, and copper in the conductive traces. The higher the concentration, the higher the price per kilogram.

In addition, three factors are reducing revenue:

• Adhered items. A clean Class A sheet costs €9.00 per kilogram; the same sheet with an adhered item costs €6.75. Iron and aluminum edges do not count toward the weight, so their weight is deducted.
• Damage. Disassemble your device; do not destroy it.
• Mixed delivery. An unsorted box is billed at the lowest rate for the items it contains.

How do you get the best price for your printed circuit boards?

Sorting. That’s by far the biggest difference you can make on your own. Identifying materials is a skill in itself: with aluminum, you can do some simple tests at home, but with circuit boards, the value is determined by the composition beneath the surface—and you can’t see that. If you’re unsure, send photos via WhatsApp. You’ll receive a price estimate and help with sorting.

Furthermore:

• Always deliver items in a clean condition. Remove any metal or plastic attachments, and take out any removable batteries.
• Leave soldered parts as they are. It’s the same calculation as with stripping cables: the extra work has to pay for itself, and in this case, it doesn’t.
• Remove the button-cell battery. If it gets damaged, it could catch fire spontaneously. So be sure to return it separately to a StiBat drop-off point.

How to Drop Off Your Printed Circuit Boards at Krommenhoek Metals

Small batch? From Monday through Saturday morning, you can drop by our locations in Rotterdam and Wateringen without an appointment. Your materials will be sorted and weighed in your presence, and you’ll be paid immediately—by bank transfer, in cash, or via Tikkie.

Do you have larger volumes, for example, as an IT company or installer? In that case, we’ll place collection bins free of charge through our container service, pick them up, and for large quantities, we’re open to discussing the price. If you report your emissions, the CO2 Performance Ladder will be a factor in the disposal of your metal waste streams.

The sorted batches are sent to smelters around the world. Krommenhoek Metals holds the WEEELABEX certification for Collection & Logistics, so hazardous substances such as batteries and PCB-containing capacitors are removed before the sheets are shipped there.

Frequently Asked Questions About Returning Printed Circuit Boards

How much is 1 kilo of printed circuit boards worth?

Between €1.00 and €17.50, depending on the type and grade. The price fluctuates in line with the prices of gold, silver, palladium, and copper.

What is the difference between Classes A, B, and C?

The grade indicates the precious metal content. A+ is the highest, C the lowest. Not sure how to identify it yourself? We’ll help you sort it, or you can drop it off as a mixed batch.

Is there really gold in my circuit board?

Usually, yes, but the amount varies greatly. The gold in printed circuit boards is mainly found in the gold-plated contacts. Krommenhoek Metals does not recover the gold itself; instead, it is done by specialized smelters.

Do I need to remove components from the circuit board?

Attachments and loose batteries, yes. Soldered parts, no: that takes a lot of time and reduces the value of the board itself.