Fireworks licences

If you wish to store and/or sell fireworks or explosives you will require a registration or a licence.

Currently, the following Fire & Rescue Services will be able to process your application:

• Cornwall
• Greater Manchester
• Merseyside
• Norfolk
• Oxfordshire
• South Yorkshire
• Tyne & Wear
• Wiltshire

Applications in all other areas should be made to the Trading Standards department of the appropriate local authority - remember the licence is based upon where the goods will be stored, not where the licence holder resides.

You can request or renew your fireworks/explosives licence here.



Do you require a Registration or a Licence ?
You do not require a fireworks and explosives registration or licence if you are intending to store less than 5kg net explosive content or net mass. This is the weight of explosive contained within an article - i.e. excluding packaging, casings etc. In the case of fireworks and other pyrotechnics, this is assumed to be one quarter of the gross weight of the article (unless you have more specific information from the supplier).

If you are intending to store fireworks for private use only, you may store up to a maximum of 50kg net explosive content for a maximum of 21 days without a licence or registration.


The maximum you can store under a fireworks and explosives registration is:
250kg net mass of Hazard Type 4 explosives (most consumer fireworks and other pyrotechnics) OR
100kg net mass of Hazard Type 3 explosives OR
30kg net mass of Hazard Type 1 explosives

If you are planning to store more than this, you will need to apply for a fireworks and explosives licence which allows you to store up to a maximum of 2000kg. For storage of even greater quantities you should contact the Health & Safety Executive.

If you are planning to store a mix of hazard type explosives, you should speak to your local Fire & Rescue Service to determine whether you need to apply for a registration or licence.

Please note, a fee will be charged for the issue of a registration or licence. Currently the fees are as follows:

New Registration - £72
Registration renewal - £36
New Licence (to store between 250Kg and 2000Kg net) - £120
Licence renewal - £77
Transfer/variation/duplicate - £31



Fees are subject to change. To check for the latest rates or check any other aspect of the licensing process, please contact your local Fire & Rescue Service or your supplier.


You can request or renew your fireworks/explosives licence here.




The sale of fireworks

The above Registration or Licence will permit you to sell fireworks at designated times of the year: Diwali, New Year, Chinese New Year and the period between Oct 15th to Nov 15th. If you wish to sell fireworks outside these designated times, you will require an additional licence. Please check with your local Fire & Rescue Service who will be able to advise and provide current costs for this additional licence.