Selling and storing fireworks

Permits to sell and store fireworks

Do you want to sell fireworks in the Netherlands? Then you need a sales permit. You can apply for a sales permit to the municipality where you will be selling the fireworks (in Dutch).

Are you going to store fireworks? Then you need an environment and planning permit (omgevingsvergunning). And there are strict safety rules for storing fireworks. You can apply for an environment and planning permit via the Environment and Planning portal (Omgevingsloket, in Dutch). You can also check which rules apply in your municipality in the Environment and Planning portal.

Rules for selling fireworks

You may only sell legal fireworks. There is a ban on fireworks for consumers. You are only allowed to sell category F1 fireworks to consumers. The packaging states which category the fireworks fall into. You may only sell fireworks in categories other than F1 (F2, F3, F4) to authorised buyers.

Selling fireworks to consumers

You are only allowed to sell category F1 novelty fireworks to consumers aged 12 and older. For example, sparklers and crackling balls. This is permitted all year round.

You are prohibited from selling the following types of fireworks to consumers:

• firework for professional use from category F2 and up. You can find the category on the label
• Bengal fires and sparklers that fall under category F2. This is stated on the packaging
• firecrackers, including strings of firecrackers
• single shots and rockets
• roman candles and small rockets

Fireworks for professional use

You may only sell professional fireworks in categories F2, F3 and F4 to professional users and organisations that have been granted authorisation. You must check that the purchaser holds a valid pyro-pass. Associations and foundations may receive an exemption from the local authority. For example, to set off fireworks at New Year’s Eve.

If you sell category F2 fireworks, you must provide protective glasses and a cotton safety wick. You must also provide information on how to safely set off fireworks.

Selling fireworks online

You are allowed to sell legal fireworks via an online shop, but you cannot deliver the fireworks to your customer’s home address. This poses risks to the postman and the distribution centre. Your customers must pick up their fireworks from a licenced sales outlet.

Rules for your retail space

If you are selling fireworks, you must comply with the following rules for your retail space:

• You are not allowed to store more than 500 kilograms of fireworks at your retail space during opening hours.
• Outside opening hours, you are allowed to store category F1 fireworks at your retail space, but no more than 200 kilograms. Outside opening hours, you are not allowed to store category F2 fireworks at your retail space. Check the labels of Bengal fires and sparklers to make sure whether or not these are category F2.
• You must make sure visitors of your shop cannot pick up the fireworks themselves.
• You must have a sprinkler system.
• You must put the fireworks in a place where the water from the sprinkler system can reach it.
• Your retail space and the sprinkler system must comply with all safety rules (in Dutch).

Rules for storing fireworks

Do you want to store fireworks close to your retail space? You must comply with the rules for storing fireworks (in Dutch). These rules include the following:

• You must apply for an environment and planning permit for the storage of fireworks via the Environment and Planning portal (Omgevingsloket, in Dutch).
• The minimum distance between your storage space and your retail space must be 8 meters.
• If you want to store up to 10,000 kilograms of fireworks, you must file a notification via the Environment and Planning portal at least 4 weeks in advance (in Dutch).

Monitoring by local authorities

Your local authority monitors whether you comply with the rules for the sale of fireworks. If you sell fireworks that do not meet the legal requirements, you may be fined. The fireworks may also be seized and destroyed. You may have to pay the costs of this yourself.