Fireworks and explosives licensing
Disclaimer
This advice is designed to provide basic guidance to traders. It is not a complete or authoritative statement of the law. Some of the advice we provide to businesses is chargeable.
Do I need a licence?
A licence is required if you want to store explosives. This includes:
- Ammunition and shooters' powders
- Black powder
- Blasting explosives
- Fireworks
- Marine flares
Certain quantities of explosives can be kept for short periods of time and in limited quantities without the need for a licence. Find out more about storage of explosives without a licence.
If you are selling fireworks from any premises, then you are storing them prior to sale and must be licensed.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) provide additional information about:
Conditions of a licence
All licences will include the type and quantity of explosive to be stored. More detailed conditions relating to the premises may also be attached and sent with the licence.
You must apply for a licence prior to storing explosives (including fireworks). The licensing requirements vary according to type and quantity stored.
You need to apply for a lower tier licence if you wish to store a maximum of:
- 30 kilograms of Hazard Type 1 or 2 explosives
- 100 kilograms of Hazard Type 3 explosives
- 250 kilograms of Hazard Type 4 explosives
The quantities allowed depend on individual locations, for example, separation distances from other buildings, footpaths, and so on.
What is net mass?
Net mass is the total weight of the explosives within the products. It is not the gross weight of the products themselves.
If the net mass of your explosives is more than 250 kilograms, separation distances apply.
Most consumer fireworks, shotgun ammunition, marine distress flares, and so on, are Hazard Type 4 explosives. If you are in any doubt, consult your supplier.
Larger quantities and police certificates
If you wish to store more than the above quantities, up to a maximum of 2000 kilograms of any hazard type, then you need to apply for an upper tier licence.
However, if any of the explosives you wish to store require a police certificate under the Control of Explosives Regulations, you will have to apply to Hampshire Police. Call them on 01962 841500 (Firearms and Licensing Section) for a licence.
To store quantities in excess of 2000 kilograms of any hazard type, then you will have to apply to the Health and Safety Executive.
How long are licences valid for?
Licences run from 1 October of the current year to 30 September of the following year.
I am still not sure what licence I need
To confirm whether you need licensing, contact us to talk through the type and quantities of explosives you wish to store. Our email address is tradingstandards@southampton.gov.uk.
Fees
The Health and Safety Executive sets the fees for explosive licences each year. Payment of the fee to process an application is non-refundable where a licence is unable to be issued.
5-25 kilograms of fireworks or explosives (no separation)
| Period | New licence | Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| One year | £119 | £59 |
| Two years | £154 | £94 |
| Three years | £190 | £132 |
| Four years | £226 | £166 |
| Five years | £260 | £202 |
250-2,000 kilograms (two tonnes) of fireworks or explosives (separation)
| Period | New licence | Renewal |
|---|---|---|
| One year | £202 | £94 |
| Two years | £266 | £161 |
| Three years | £333 | £226 |
| Four years | £409 | £291 |
| Five years | £463 | £357 |
Inspections
Your premises will be inspected and assessed as part of the application process, both for new applications or for material changes to existing licences. An inspection will not always be needed.
Point of sale
Unauthorised access, underage sales, cabinet content limit, and electrics.
Type of store and conditions
Is storage external or internal? Does it correspond with site or floor plan sent at application stage? Are separation distances correct, if applicable.
Fire safety
What fire safety measures are in place?
Records
We may inspect:
- Risk assessments
- A copy of the current licence (if applicable)
- Training records for staff and managers
- The refusals register
- Electrical certificates for permanent International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) stores
- That stock records are available and up to date
- The damage and returns policy
- Public and employer liability insurance
- The landlords permission to store explosives
What happens after I apply?
Timeline to process an application
We will consider the application before issuing, renewing, modifying, or transferring a licence.
We may have to conduct site visits and require the production of other documentation to ensure that statutory requirements are being met.
Once we have received your application together with the correct fee, and we are satisfied that the premises meets statutory requirements, we will agree to issue, renew, or modify the licence.
It is likely to take four weeks to process any application received, so please allow enough time when applying for a new licence.
If I do not hear from you for 28 days, can I assume a licence has been granted ("tacit consent")?
No, tacit consent will not apply. This is because it is in the public interest that we process your application before it can be granted.
If you have not heard from us 28 days after submitting your application, please email us at tradingstandards@southampton.gov.uk.
My application was refused
If your application was refused, please contact us in the first instance and we will discuss your application with you. Please email us at tradingstandards@southampton.gov.uk.
If you are refused a licence or registration by the council, you can appeal to the secretary of state under Section 44 of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.
Licence renewals and changes
Renewal procedure
The registration or licence must be renewed prior to the expiry date. We will send you a renewal application form at least 28 days before it lapses. This should be completed and returned to us, along with the appropriate fee.
Notification of changes to your licence
You must formally notify us well in advance of the proposed changes so that we can consider if a variation to the licence is required. An administration fee may apply.
To discuss the changes or notify us, please email tradingstandards@southampton.gov.uk.
Transferring a licence to another person
Applications to transfer a licence must be made in writing. Email us at tradingstandards@southampton.gov.uk to discuss your requirements.
Fireworks
For an in-depth guide to the sale of fireworks, including licensing, categories of fireworks, and age restriction, see Business Companion's guidance on Fireworks.
See also HSE explosives guides.
Apply to sell fireworks all year round
If you wish to sell fireworks all year round, an additional license is required at a cost of £500.
Amendments to a current licence will be charged at a minimum of £38 per premise.
Apply for a storage or fireworks licence
Complete the following form to apply under the Explosives Regulations 2014. All fields must be completed for an application to be accepted.
We must receive the application form, plan of storage, and payment within five working days. If we do not receive payment together with these documents, we will be unable to process your application and you will not be licensed.
Before you fill in this form
You won't be able to save this form to complete later, so please allow yourself at least ten minutes to fill in the form.
You will also need:
A payment card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay*
A site plan, to a scale sufficient to show the location of the site in relation to its surroundings- If explosives are to be kept on the shop floor or in a building that is to be used for other purposes as well as the storage of explosives, a building floor plan
- If you intend to store or display more than 12.5 kilograms of fireworks on a shop floor, a floor plan of the sales area
- If you intend to store, process, or manufacture explosives within a building that is also used for other purposes, a floor plan showing the places within the building where you intend storing, processing, or manufacturing of the explosives
- If separation distances apply, an Ordnance Survey site plan (or similar) map, showing the location of the store and distances to any neighbouring buildings
If you are not applying as a director, evidence that this application has been approved by the board of directors
Apply for a storage licence under the Explosives Regulations 2014
Contact us
If you have any questions or wish to discuss your applications, please contact us by:
- Email: tradingstandards@southampton.gov.uk
- Post: Southampton City Council, Trading Standards Service, Civic Centre, Southampton, SO14 7LY
