Explosives
Explosives must be approved for use before they can be imported or manufactured in New Zealand.
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Explosives must be approved for use before they can be imported or manufactured in New Zealand.
Most explosives, including retail fireworks, need an Import Certificate before you can bring them into the country.
All explosives are hazardous substances, and their use in New Zealand is regulated jointly by us and WorkSafe New Zealand.
We manage the approvals for importing and manufacturing explosives, and set and enforce the rules for labelling, packaging and safety data sheets. You can find information below that outlines how to legally import explosives, including retail fireworks.
WorkSafe New Zealand look after the rules for handling and storing explosives, and also regulate outdoor firework displays.
Find out more about the rules for handling and storing explosives - WorkSafe NZ
See our guidance for importers and manufacturers of explosives (PDF, 480 KB)
Explosives must be legally approved for use in New Zealand before they can be imported or manufactured. To find out if an explosive item is approved, check the legislation, and the list of approved hazardous substances in our Approved Hazardous Substances with Controls database.
If you are in doubt, contact us and discuss your explosive with one of our advisors.
Search the Approved Hazardous Substances with Controls database
Check the appendices in our guidance about importing explosives (PDF, 480 KB)
Contact one of our Hazardous Substances Advisors:
If a substance is not already approved for import into or manufacture in New Zealand, you must first apply to us for an approval so we can assess the risks of the explosive and decide on any restrictions (or controls) for using it. This is called a ‘Release Approval’.
How to apply for a Release Approval to import or manufacture a hazardous substance
Most approved explosives need an import certificate for each consignment before they can be imported into New Zealand, including:
These explosives do not need an import certificate:
Novelty and retail fireworks do still require testing by an approved Fireworks Certifier. You will find a list of Fireworks Certifiers below, under ‘Retail fireworks’.
There are rules for the import, storage, and sale of retail fireworks. If you’re importing retail fireworks, you need to obtain an import certificate from us for each consignment. A sample of each consignment must also be tested for safety by an approved Fireworks Certifier who will issue a certificate (see the register of fireworks certifiers at the end of this page).
Read our guidance on selling, storing and importing fireworks (PDF, 343KB)
See the Code of Practice for Retail Fireworks (PDF, 118KB)
Apply for an explosives import certificate
Importing retail fireworks, email explosives@epa.govt.nz
Testing retail fireworks, email fireworks@epa.govt.nz
Freephone (New Zealand only): 0800 2255 372 (0800 CALL EPA)
Outdoor pyrotechnic displays are closely regulated and there are a number or rules you must follow if you are planning to hold a fireworks display. More information about these rules is available from WorkSafe.
For the rules about outdoor pyrotechnic displays, see the WorkSafe NZ website
A transhipment is where a hazardous substance is imported into New Zealand and is exported again within 20 working days. This includes goods that remain on a vessel or craft (including aircraft) or that are put into storage during the transhipment period.
Some types of transhipment need to be approved in advance. If you need a transhipment approval for your shipment, you must apply at least one month before the substance is to be transhipped. If you are unsure whether you need a transhipment approval, please contact us at transhipments@epa.govt.nz.
Note that for transhipments of explosives, you may also need to apply for a permit from WorkSafe New Zealand.
Apply to us, the EPA, for approval for a transhipment
Find out if you need to apply for a permit from WorkSafe New Zealand
New Zealand ports that can accept shipments of explosives have recommended limits on the quantity of explosive materials they can handle. The quantity limits in the table at the bottom of the section are based on a report by Opus International Consultants Limited, updated in January 2010.
Read the OPUS report on explosives handling at ports (PDF, 221KB)
The quantities shown are recommended values. Some port companies have since conducted their own studies and determined their quantity limits separately. Contact the relevant port company to establish their requirements before arranging for the movement of explosives through that port.
Each port company wishing to accept vessels carrying explosives or handle consignments of explosives must determine how they achieve compliance with the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) Regulations 2017.
For specific enquiries about these Regulations, please contact WorkSafe New Zealand
The current recommended limits (net explosive quantity, (NEQ)) for cargos of explosives, at specified berths at each port, are listed in the table below. Please see Port websites for any updates to this information.
Please note:
Recommended maximum quantities (NEQ) for main ports in New Zealand
Port | Berth | Specified point | Class 1.1/1.5: Max recommended NEQ (kg) when packed in ISO containers |
Class 1.2: Max recommended NEQ (kg) when packed in ISO containers |
Class 1.3: Max recommended NEQ (kg) when packed in ISO containers |
Auckland | Fergusson | Outer | 36,000 | 4,000 | 170,000 |
Auckland | Freyberg | West outer | 4,500 | 90 | 22,000 |
Auckland | Freyberg | East outer | 4,500 | 90 | 22,000 |
Auckland | Jellicoe | West outer | 20,000 | 1,400 | 95,000 |
Auckland | Jellicoe | East outer | 5,000 | 100 | 24,000 |
Auckland | Bledisloe | West outer | 12,000 | 550 | 55,000 |
Auckland | Bledisloe | East outer | 16,000 | 900 | 75,000 |
Onehunga | LOLO | 1,500 | 12 | 7,000 | |
Tauranga | S. Point | Berth 24 | 55,000 | 9,000 | 200,000 |
Tauranga | S. Point | Berth 23 | 55,000 | 9,000 | 200,000 |
Tauranga | Berth 11 | 6,000 | 160 | 28,000 | |
Napier | Kirk. No. 5 | Outer | 59,000 | 10,000 | 200,000 |
N. Plymouth | Blyde | Outer | 7,000 | 200 | 34,000 |
Wellington | Refer to CentrePort for quantity limits | Refer to CentrePort for quantity limits | Refer to CentrePort for quantity limits | ||
Lyttleton* | Cashin Q | 12,000 | 500 | 55,000 | |
P Chalmers | No 1 | 16,000 | 900 | 75,000 |
(as of January 2010)
*Shipments of class 1.1 of up to 48,000 kg may be accepted by Lyttelton Port Company, depending on berth availability and by a case-by-case consideration; contact Lyttelton Port Company for more information.
All fireworks and novelty fireworks (for example party poppers and Christmas crackers) require a Fireworks certificate from an approved fireworks certifier before they can be sold. Certifiers are listed in the table below.
Name and company | Authorisation's status |
Authorisation's expiry |
Contact details | Authorised to issue certificates for |
---|---|---|---|---|
Aaron Donald: HazSubs Services Limited | Active | 4 August 2026 | 235 Archers Road, Wairau, Auckland 0627 Website: www.hazsubs.co.nz Phone: 09 443 3054 Mobile: 021 511 291 Email: aaron@hazsubs.co.nz |
All retail fireworks |
Peter Greenwood: Fizpop Compliance Ltd | Active | 23 October 2022 | 24 Kuku Street Tangimoana Website: www.jarussell.co.nz Phone: 06 350 1599 Mobile: 027 537 5555 Email: peter.greenwood@jarussell.co.nz |
All retail fireworks |
Grant Tattley: HazTec 2018 Limited | Active | 14 October 2024 | 20D Manga Road, Silverdale, Auckland 0932 Website: www.haztec.co.nz Phone: 09 426 5902 Mobile: 021 504 664 Email: grant@haztec.co.nz |
All retail fireworks |
Get in touch with the Hazardous Substances Team.