Apply to sell or store fireworks, explosives or petroleum

You need to apply for a licence if you want to sell or store fireworks or explosives. You need to apply for a certificate if you want to store petroleum.  

Fireworks

You need a fireworks licence if you intend to supply fireworks outside of the fireworks seasons.

The fireworks seasons in the UK are: 

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

How to apply to sell fireworks 

To apply for a licence you must download and complete a fireworks licence application form.  

You can then pay the fee online and or you can send a cheque with your application form. 

Send your completed form by: 

We will process your application when we have received payment of the fee. 

Category F2 and F3 fireworks 

Category F2 fireworks are low hazard and suitable for outdoor use in confined areas and category F3 fireworks are of medium hazard for use in a large open area. 

If you are supplying category F2 and F3 you must display a notice prominently near where the fireworks are sold. 

The notice must be printed in A3 at least 42cm by 29.7cm and the letters must be at least 1.6cm high.

Storing explosives

You need a licence to store explosives. This includes storing fireworks.  

There are 2 types of licence which are for the storage of:

  • up to 250kg net mass of explosives 
  • 250kg to 2000kg net mass of explosives 

The difference between these is the separation distances required between the location of the store and other buildings and roads. 

An explosives licence is valid for up to 5 years from 1 October each year.  

How to apply to store explosives 

To apply for a licence you must download and complete our explosives storage application form. You can then pay the fee online and or you can send a cheque with your application.    

Send your completed application by: 

We will process your application when we have received payment of the fee. 

Fees and charges 

The following licence fees from April 2024.   

Licence to sell fireworks all year

1 January to 31 December: £500 

Licence to store explosives

250kg to 2000kg net mass licence 

1 year: £202

2 years: £266

3 years: £333

4 years: £409

5 years: £463

Renew a 250kg to 2000kg net mass licence 

1 year: £94

2 years: £161

3 years: £226

4 years: £291

5 years: £357

250kg net mass licence 

1 year: £119

2 years: £154

3 years: £190

4 years: £226

5 years: £260

Renew a 250kg net mass licence 

1 year: £59

2 years: £94

3 years: £132

4 years: £166

5 years: £202

Licence changes

A fee of £40 is due if you need to:

  • change the name of the licence holder 
  • amend the address of the storage site  
  • transfer the licence 
  • replace a lost licence 

Any other kind of change is £69.20 per officer per hour.

Storing petroleum 

The keeper of petroleum needs a certificate to store petroleum.

Certificates do not have an expiry date and remain in force until the site ceases to operate for more than 12 months or a major change is made to the site.

An annual fee is payable by the keeper of petrol. This fee is calculated on the maximum quantity of petroleum that can be stored at the premises.

When your renewal is due, we will send you a form which you need to check and return.

You can then pay the fee online and or you can send a cheque with your completed form.   Other payment methods are available, contact us for details. 

Send your completed form to: 

The keeper can pay for up to 10 years in advance.

The current fees per annum are:

Up to 2500 litres: £48

2500 to 50,000 litres: £65

Over 50,000 litres: £137

Petroleum search: £174.60 per hour search time 

More information 

You can view more information on fireworks and explosives using the Health and Safety Executive’s resources on:

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