Who needs a licence
You must be licensed if you sell or store:
- cartridges for nail guns
- cartridges for vehicle airbags
- fireworks
- flares and smoke signals
- small arms cartridges
Regulations
The Explosives Regulations 2014 imposes storage requirements on any person who wishes to store explosives, and the requirement to hold a licence to do so. There are some specific exemptions for those storing very small quantities of explosives or who are storing explosives for only a short period of time.
If you wish to sell fireworks all year round you will also need an additional licence under the Fireworks Regulations 2004.
Apply for or renew a licence
Apply to Cumbria Trading Standards if you are storing between 5kg and 2000kg of explosives, including:
- fireworks
- small arms ammunition
- air bag inflators
You can apply by either phone or email.
Telephone: 01946 505005
Email: trading.standards@cumberland.gov.uk
Costs for explosives licences
A table listing the different explosive licences and the cost per licence.
| Explosive licence | Cost per licence from 1 April 2024 |
|---|---|
| Initial licence to store explosives (no separation distance required) - one year duration | £119 |
| Initial licence to store explosives (no separation distance required) - two year duration | £154 |
| Initial licence to store explosives (no separation distance required) - three year duration | £190 |
| Initial licence to store explosives (no separation distance required) - four year duration | £226 |
| Initial licence to store explosives (no separation distance required) - five year duration | £260 |
| Initial licence to store explosives (separation distance required) - one year duration | £202 |
| Initial licence to store explosives (separation distance required) - two year duration | £266 |
| Initial licence to store explosives (separation distance required) - three year duration | £333 |
| Initial licence to store explosives (separation distance required) - four year duration | £409 |
| Initial licence to store explosives (separation distance required) - five year duration | £463 |
| Licence renewal to store explosives (no separation distance required) - one year duration | £59 |
| Licence renewal to store explosives (no separation distance required) - two year duration | £94 |
| Licence renewal to store explosives (no separation distance required) - three year duration | £132 |
| Licence renewal to store explosives (no separation distance required) - four year duration | £166 |
| Licence renewal to store explosives (no separation distance required) - five year duration | £202 |
| Licence renewal to store explosives (separation distance required) - one year duration | £94 |
| Licence renewal to store explosives (separation distance required) - two year duration | £161 |
| Licence renewal to store explosives (separation distance required) - three year duration | £226 |
| Licence renewal to store explosives (separation distance required) - four year duration | £291 |
| Licence renewal to store explosives (separation distance required) - five year duration | £357 |