Explosives (Fireworks) and Poisons

fireworks in colourful boxes, ready for sale

To sell fireworks you must apply for a licence from us.

An explosives licence is usually granted for storage up to 250kg Net Explosive Content of HT4 (1.4G) fireworks, subject to an inspection for the suitability of your intended storage. Storage of fireworks on a licence must be in compliance with the conditions set out in the licence.

Before you apply, you'll need to gather details on:

  • The type and quantity (in kgs.) of each type of explosive you'll be storing.
  • Existing licence details. Please include expiry date and reference number if renewing your license.
  • The full address of anywhere that will be used to store explosives.
  • An accepted method of payment. We currently accept payment by BACS, cheques or card payment by telephone.

We will carry out a range of checks to ensure that you are a ‘suitable’ person to hold a licence. We will check with:

  • The National Anti-fraud Network
  • Health and Safety Executive prosecution database
  • Local police prosecution information

Explosives licence fees

Licence fees apply for the duration of 1 year (from 1 October to 30 September 2024). Fees to store up to 250kg NEC of Hazard Type 4, or up to 25kg NEC of Hazard Type 3 explosives are set out below:

  • New Licence: £113
  • Renewal: £56
  • Variation/transfer (to vary the name of the licensee or site address. Contact us for other variances to the licence): £38
  • All year sales licence: £500
  • For licences for up to 5 years: contact us for relevant fees.

For more information please contact trading standards email, trading.standards@iow.gov.uk

Fees for keeping quantities of explosives are set by The Health and Safety and Nuclear (Fees) Regulations 2021

Permitted dates for selling fireworks

On an Explosives Regulations 2014 Licence, fireworks can only be sold on the following days:

Festival and Date Sales Start Date Sales End Date
Bonfire night - 5 November 2023 15 October 10 November+
Diwali* - 13 November 2023 15 October 13 November*
New Year - 31 December 2023 26 December 31 December
Chinese New Year* - 10 February 2024 07 February* 10 February*

* Dates valid for 2023 to 2024 licensing period only.

+ Due to the date of Diwali, fireworks can be sold from 15 October to 13 November.

Selling fireworks any other time of the year 

If you wish to sell fireworks at any other time of the year, you will need to purchase an additional licence. The fees also increase if your intended storage is for more than 250kg Net Explosive Content of HT4 (1.4G) fireworks. Any 1.3G fireworks will reduce the amount of your overall storage.

For more information please contact trading standards at trading.standards@iow.gov.uk

Further Information

In this section