Storage

Storing explosives

You can store one or more of the following without a license or registration:

• Up to 10kg of black powder
• Up to 5kg of:
  • Shooters’ powder (which is black powder, smokeless powder or any other substance ore preparation based on potassium nitrate or nitro cellulose, used as a propellant)
  • Combination of shooters’ powder and any one or more explosives listed in Schedule 1 of COER
• Up to 15kg of percussion caps or small arms ammunition (or a mixture of them).

Larger quantities need to be kept in a registered or licensed store. Permission must be granted by police under the Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations 2005 (MSER).

Apply now  MSER1.

The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) deals with the licensing of all manufacture, factories, mines and harbours, and all stores holding more than 2,000kg.

The local authority deals with all applications where the explosives are listed in Schedule 1 of COER 1991 (as amended) up to 2,000kg.  Schedule 1 includes fireworks, small arms safety ammunition, pyrotechnics and air bag cartridges but does not include nitro-cellulose powders which are dealt with by the police.

Application fees

Return forms to:

Assistant Explosives Liaison Officer,
Firearms and Explosives Licensing Unit,
Police Headquarters,
Middlemoor,
Exeter, EX2 7HQ.