Explosives licences

Any person planning to keep explosives such as fireworks, safety cartridges or vehicle airbag detonators is required by law to have a current licence.

If you wish to store between 5kg and 2,000kg (Net Explosive Quantity NEQ) you will require an explosive licence.

If you store less than 5kg of explosives that don't require an explosives certificate or less than 15kg of small arms ammunition, you don't need to be licensed.

Applying for a licence

You can apply for a licence with a duration of up to 5 years. Please contact the licencing team by email to request an application form.

Fees

Table outlining the fees associated with explosives licences

Explosives Licence Fees

1 year

2 year

3 year

4 year

5 year

Licence to Store Explosives

No or 0 metres minimum separation distance

113.00

147.00

181.00

215.00

248.00

Renewal of Licence

No or 0 metres minimum separation distance

56.00

90.00

125.00

158.00

193.00

Licence to Store Explosives

Greater than 0 metres separation distance

193.00

253.00

317.00

390.00

441.00

Renewal of Licence

Greater than 0 metres separation distance

90.00

153.00

215.00

277.00

340.00

Variation, transfer or replacement

38.00

Selling fireworks to the public

Fireworks may only be sold at certain times of the year:

  • the first day of the Chinese New Year and 3 days immediately before it
  • the day of Diwali and the 3 days immediately before it
  • from the 15 October to 10 November
  • from 26 December to 31 December

If you want to sell fireworks outside of these times you will need an additional licence for each premises at which fireworks are supplied or exposed for supply. This licence costs £500.

To apply for a licence to sell fireworks all year, please contact the Licensing team by email.

Guidance

Further guidance can be found by visiting the Health and Safety Executive website.