Explosive Goods: Use, Storage, Trade and Transfer

To use, store, trade with and transfer explosive goods within Sweden, you must have a permit from the municipality according to the Act on Flammable and Explosive Goods. This applies to professional handling of products such as explosives, ammunition, fireworks, ignition devices and gunpowder.

There are different permit types depending on the type of handling: use, storage, trade and transfer within Sweden. You can apply for several permit types simultaneously. For manufacturing, destruction, recycling, import or cross-border transport, a permit from MCF (Swedish Authority for Civil Defence and Preparedness) is required.

Requirements

  • Managers: One or more managers must be appointed for the operation. Competence and suitability must be demonstrated with CV, training certificates and/or blasting certificates.
  • Approval of persons: From February 1, 2022, managers, participants and persons with significant influence must be notified and approved by the licensing authority regarding suitability.
  • Foreign nationals: Persons with citizenship or permanent residence outside Sweden may need to present a certificate of suitability from their home country.

Permit Types

  • Use: Required to use explosive goods.
  • Storage: Required for storage facilities for explosive goods (not necessary if someone else has a permit for the storage).
  • Trade: Required to transfer explosive goods to others, e.g. sale of ammunition or fireworks.
  • Transfer within Sweden: Required for buyers of explosives, ignition devices and gunpowder for transport from seller to storage or workplace.

Supervision

  • Licensing authority: The municipality grants permits and exercises supervision for use, storage, trade and transfer within Sweden.
  • MCF permits: Manufacturing, destruction, recycling, import and cross-border transport require permits from MCF, which usually also cover other handling.