Apply for a licence for the non-commercial purchase and handling of explosive substances

Before you are allowed to handle explosive substances as a non-commercial user, you must have a licence in accordance with the Explosives Act.

• Application via an online procedure or a written procedure (apart from the electronic processing and the possibility of identifying yourself beforehand, the two procedures are identical)
• Filling out the forms,
• Add the required documents and evidence,
• Re-examination of the application documents,
• Send the application electronically or print it out and submit it to the authority,
• The authority will contact you if you wish to consult or make enquiries and corrections,
• If necessary, the authority will arrange an appointment for an interview with you to determine the required personal suitability,

Once the documents have been checked, you will receive a decision notice and a fee notice with a request for payment.

In order to obtain a licence to handle explosive substances, you must meet the following requirements:

• You must be 21 years of age or older to handle black powder, nitrocellulose powder and other propellant powders. Exceptions are possible in individual cases.
• You must be 21 years of age or older to handle category F4 fireworks and category P2 pyrotechnic articles (e.g. rocket motors).
• You must be 18 years of age or older to handle category F2 or F3 fireworks.
• You must have specialised knowledge. Specialist knowledge is proven by a certificate which certifies successful participation in a state or state-recognised training course (not applicable for pyrotechnics category F3).
• You must be reliable. The required reliability is normally given if you have behaved law-abidingly in the past and have no criminal record.
• You must be personally suitable. You are personally suitable if you have no restrictions, e.g. in your mental or physical health or due to drug or alcohol addiction.
• You must be able to prove that you have a need. The proof is specific to the target group; hunters, for example, must submit their hunting licence, while sports and firecracker shooters must submit a certificate of membership and participation in shooting and traditional shooting associations. (Not applicable if you are authorised to handle fireworks or other pyrotechnic objects such as rocket motors).
• If you wish to store explosive substances, you must have suitable storage facilities.

• Completed application form for the issue of a licence in accordance with Section 27 of the Explosives Act
• Valid identity card or passport
• Proof of specialised knowledge (proof of successful completion of a specialised knowledge course for the planned activity; not applicable for fireworks of category F3)
• Proof of the need to handle explosive substances (not required for authorisation to handle pyrotechnic articles)
• Proof of liability insurance for handling fireworks of categories F3 and F4
• Description of the intended storage (e.g. technical documentation, photographic evidence)
• Any authorisations already issued
• To check the reliability of persons from abroad: You need a certificate in the form of a certified translation from the competent judicial or administrative authority in your home country or country of origin concerning certain facts that are relevant to the assessment of your reliability (e.g. extract from the criminal record).

• § Section 27 of the Explosives Act (SprengG)

• Form name: Varies depending on the competent authority
• Link to the aforementioned form, if applicable:
• Online procedure possible: yes
• Written form required: no
• Personal appearance required: Depending on the respective competent authority

• Authorisation for the non-commercial acquisition and handling of explosive substances Issue
• Handling explosive substances in the non-commercial sector
• Handling propellant powder
• Handling black powder by reloaders, muzzle loaders, gunners, generally sport shooters and hunters
• Handling nitrocellulose powder
• Handling propellants similar to black powder
• Handling Pyrodex
• Dealing with Triple Seven
• Handling pyrotechnics of cat. F 3 or F 4 for fireworks
• Handling includes the acquisition, storage, use, destruction and transfer of explosive substances
• Authorisation required
• Explosives licence
• Powder note
• Firecracker licence
• Fireworks licence

The licence is issued by the competent authority if the legal requirements are met.

A fee is payable for the issue of the licence.

When checking reliability, information is requested from the Federal Central Criminal Register, the Central Trade Register, the Public Prosecutor's Register of Proceedings, the police stations, the Office for the Protection of the Constitution and, if applicable, the Foreigners' Registration Office.

Proof of special expertise must be provided (not required for category F3 fireworks).

• Apply for a licence for the non-commercial purchase and handling of explosive substances in Hesse

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