If you intend to keep fireworks, or other explosives at a premises you must store them safely at all times and hold a storage licence.
Storage
You must apply for a storage licence from us if you intend to store up to 2000kg of fireworks or explosives.
If you wish to store more than 2000kg of fireworks or explosives you should apply to the Health and Safety Executive.
We are not permitted to licence some types of explosives such as ammunition regulated by the Firearms Acts. An application to acquire and keep these products should be made to the police.
When you apply for a storage licence you are required to carry out a risk assessment to ensure that the storage is safe. The Health and Safety Executive fireworks risk assessment checklist is available to help you carry out the risk assessment and plan what actions you need to take to protect the safety of your staff and customers.
Any application will take approximately 28 days to process so please return it allowing sufficient time.
Please contact us if you have lost your licence, wish to vary it or need to transfer it to another person. These changes do carry a fee.
Selling fireworks
All suppliers must comply with the law that controls the sale of fireworks.
When can I sell fireworks
When you have a licence to store, you are only permitted to sell adult fireworks during the permitted time periods which are:
- 15 October to 10 November
- 26 to 31 December
- the first day of Chinese New Year and the three days immediately before it
- The day of Diwali and the three days immediately before it
An adult firework is any firework except for a cap, cracker snap (Christmas cracker), novelty match, party popper, serpent, throw down or sparkler.
If you wish to sell fireworks outside of these permitted time periods you will need to make a separate application to us for a selling licence under the Fireworks Regulations 2004.
Cost
Fees vary depending on the quantity and type of fireworks that you store, and may also be subject to annual increases. These fees are set by statute.
| Storage licence | Duration | Current fee (£) 2024/25 |
|---|---|---|
| New licence - under 250Kg | 1 year | 119 |
| 2 year | 154 | |
| 3 year | 190 | |
| 4 year | 226 | |
| 5 year | 260 | |
| New licence - 250kg to 2000kg | 1 year | 202 |
| 2 year | 266 | |
| 3 year | 333 | |
| 4 year | 409 | |
| 5 year | 463 | |
|
Renewal of existing licence - under 250kg |
1 year | 59 |
| 2 year | 94 | |
| 3 year | 132 | |
| 4 year | 166 | |
| 5 year | 202 | |
|
Renewal of existing licence - 250kg to 2000kg |
1 year | 94 |
| 2 year | 161 | |
| 3 year | 226 | |
| 4 year | 291 | |
| 5 year | 357 |
| Licence variation | Current fee (£) 2024/25 |
|---|---|
| Varying the name of the licensee or address of site | 40 |
| Any other variation | Reasonable cost to the licensing authority of having the work carried out |
| Transfer of licence | 40 |
| Replacement licence | 40 |
| Selling licence | Duration | Current fee (£) 2024/25 |
|---|---|---|
| All year round sales licence | 1 year | 500 |
Apply
If you wish to apply for a storage licence please complete the storage licence application form alternatively contact us for a copy.
Once you have a storage licence, you can complete the application form for a licence to sell fireworks if you want to sell outside the permitted time periods
Advice
View guidance to the storage and sale of fireworks, including licensing and categories of fireworks and age restrictions.