Importing, exporting, and transporting fireworks

Published by:
Netherlands Enterprise Agency, RVO
Netherlands Enterprise Agency, RVO

Do you transport fireworks to or from the Netherlands? Then you must have the classification code of the fireworks determined. You must also notify the fireworks you import or export to the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT). Fireworks are dangerous goods, so you must comply with the Dutch and European rules for the transport of dangerous goods.

Authorisation of fireworks

Before transporting fireworks into or out of the Netherlands, you must have the classification code on the fireworks' packaging authorised to make sure it is correct. You must apply for authorisation to TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research).

Have the fireworks already been authorised by the competent authority of an EU member state under the ADR, ADN, or RID? Then you do not need to have the fireworks authorised in the Netherlands. The Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT, in Dutch) checks the classification with spot checks.

Notifying import and export of fireworks

You must notify fireworks to the Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT, in Dutch) 48 hours in advance if you:

  • transport fireworks into or out of the Netherlands
  • sell consumer fireworks to another party, for example to a wholesaler
  • put professional fireworks at the disposal of another party.

Rules on transporting fireworks

If you transport fireworks, you must follow the rules for transporting dangerous goods by road. These rules include:

  • The driver must have an ADR certificate.
  • The right documents must be present during the transport.
  • You are not allowed to transport fireworks at some locations.

ILT offers a Dutch-language checklist for the transport of consumer fireworks by road.