Fireworks
The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) enforces the Federal explosives laws and regulations which define fireworks into two general categories: display fireworks
and consumer fireworks.
Consumer fireworks, unless restricted by state or local laws, are fireworks which can be sold to the general public. Consumer firework are defined in 27 CFR 555.11 as any small firework device designed to produce visible effects by combustion and which must comply with the construction, chemical composition, and labeling regulations of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Some small devices designed to produce audible effects are included, such as whistling devices, ground devices containing 50 mg or less of flash powder, and aerial devices containing 130 mg or less of explosive materials. Consumer fireworks are marked with brightly colored and decorated paper and include a trade name and manufacturing information.
Display fireworks, defined in 27 CFR 555.11, are large fireworks designed primarily to produce visible or audible effects by combustion, deflagration, or detonation. This term includes, but is not limited to, salutes containing more than 2 grains (130 mg) of flash powder, aerial shells containing more than 40 grams of pyrotechnic compositions (excluding the lift charge), and other display pieces which exceed the limits of explosive materials for classification as consumer fireworks.
Any person engaging in the business of manufacturing, importing, or dealing in display fireworks must have an ATF license. Any person importing for their own use or receiving or transporting display fireworks must have at least an ATF permit. It should be noted that although finished consumer fireworks are exempt from ATF regulation, persons manufacturing such materials generally require at least an ATF permit to acquire explosive materials used in the manufacture of consumer fireworks (e.g., flash powder). If you require information on the classification of certain fireworks, please contact your local ATF office.
For more information on ATF and its programs go to www.atf.gov.
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