How to Buy Fireworks Online Safely in the UK

Yes. In the UK you must be 18 or over to buy adult fireworks (categories F2 and F3), and 16 or over for F1 fireworks such as most sparklers. The law sets who can buy them, when sellers can sell them, and when and where you can set them off. This guide explains those rules in plain English, then shows what they mean when you buy from Top Shotter Fireworks, online or at our shops in Bradford and Newcastle.

Can you buy fireworks in the UK?

Yes. Adults aged 18 or over can buy category 2 and 3 fireworks, which the law calls “adult” fireworks. GOV.UK puts it simply: “You cannot buy ‘adult’ fireworks if you’re under 18.” Category 4 fireworks are for professionals only. F1 fireworks, such as most sparklers and indoor fireworks, can be sold to anyone aged 16 or over (12 for Christmas crackers).

Buying and use rules differ across the UK; check the requirements where you will use the fireworks. In Northern Ireland you need a licence to buy F2 and F3 fireworks. In England, Scotland and Wales, the rules sit mainly with the seller: who it can sell to, and on which dates.

Can you still buy fireworks? Yes. Fireworks are still on sale to the public in the UK. The law controls when they are sold, who can buy them and when they can be set off. It does not stop adults buying them.

When can you buy fireworks?

In England, Wales and Scotland, a seller without an all-year licence can only sell adult (F2 and F3) fireworks on these dates:

• 15 October to 10 November
• 26 to 31 December
• the first day of Chinese New Year and the 3 days before it
• the day of Diwali and the 3 days before it

At other times, only a seller with an all-year licence can sell adult fireworks. These dates do not apply to F1 fireworks, which can be sold all year.

The 26 to 31 December window is why so many sellers stock up for New Year. If you are planning a midnight display, see our fireworks for New Year, from single cakes to full packs.

Can you buy fireworks all year round? Adult fireworks, only from a seller with an all-year licence. Outside the dates above, other sellers cannot sell F2 or F3 fireworks to you. F1 fireworks can be sold all year.

Can I buy fireworks today? It depends on the date and the seller. Inside the selling dates, any registered seller can sell you adult fireworks. Outside them, only a seller with an all-year licence can. For a side-by-side look at shops, supermarkets and websites, see where you can buy fireworks.

How old do you have to be, and do you need ID?

You must be 18 or over to buy adult (category 2 and 3) fireworks. The law makes it the seller’s job not to sell them to anyone under 18, so a seller can ask you to prove your age before it completes the sale. For F1 fireworks the minimum age is 16 (12 for Christmas crackers).

Ask the retailer which proof of age it accepts before ordering.

Can a 17-year-old buy fireworks? Not adult fireworks. Category 2 and 3 fireworks can only be sold to people aged 18 or over.

Can you buy fireworks online and have them delivered?

Yes. You can order fireworks online and have them delivered by courier, as long as the seller can sell on that date and you are 18 or over (for adult fireworks). At Top Shotter Fireworks you order online, enter your postcode, and checkout shows the delivery options and charges for your address before you pay.

We deliver to mainland UK postcodes. We cannot deliver to Northern Ireland. For most of England and Scotland, checkout shows standard delivery at 5 to 7 business days. Free delivery starts at £100 for BD, LS and HX postcodes, and applies to orders over £300 elsewhere in England only. Enter your postcode at checkout for delivery options and charges. Read our delivery zones and times before you order.

For New Year, order early. Late December is one of the busiest times of the year for fireworks deliveries, and Christmas bank holidays are not working days.

If you live near one of our shops, you may prefer to collect. Collection is currently unavailable at checkout. Call the shop to ask about collection before placing your order.

Is it legal to buy fireworks online? Yes. Buying online is legal under the same rules as buying in a shop. The seller must be allowed to sell on that date, and you must be 18 or over for adult fireworks.

F2, F3 and F4: which fireworks can you buy?

The public can buy category 1, 2 and 3 fireworks. Category 4 fireworks can only be used by professionals, so they are not sold to the public.

In practice, the category tells you how much space a firework needs:

• Category 1 (F1) fireworks are very low hazard, such as most sparklers and indoor fireworks. The minimum age is 16.
• Category 2 (F2) fireworks are intended for outdoor use in confined areas; each product’s labelled safety distance still determines whether it fits your garden.
• Category 3 (F3) fireworks are made for large open areas and need a longer safety distance.
• Category 4 (F4) fireworks are for professional displays only.

Our range includes F2 garden fireworks and some F3 lines. Before you buy, check the category and the safety distance on the product page and the label. If your garden cannot give the distance the label states, choose a smaller firework.

How to buy fireworks online safely: 5 checks

The safest way to buy fireworks online is to make five quick checks before you pay:

1. The seller is a real UK business you can contact. Look for a postal address and a phone number, and ideally shops you could visit. We have three: 53 Westgate, Bradford BD1 2RD; 269 Shields Road, Newcastle NE6 1DQ; and 283A Westgate Road, Newcastle NE4 6AJ.
2. The seller sells to adults only. A proper seller states that you must be 18 or over to buy adult fireworks, and may ask you to prove it.
3. Each product shows what you are buying. The product page should give the category, the number of shots and the safety information, so you can check it suits your space.
4. Delivery costs and areas are clear before you pay. You should see the charge and the delivery time for your postcode at checkout, not after.
5. You can set them off legally. Use them on private land with the owner’s permission. GOV.UK says “you must not set off or throw fireworks (including sparklers) in the street or other public places”. In England and Wales, fireworks must not be set off between 11pm and 7am, except on Bonfire Night (until midnight) and on New Year’s Eve, Diwali and the first day of Chinese New Year (until 1am). In Scotland, fireworks can be used between 6pm and 11pm, with later finishes on the same four nights.

Breaking the rules is serious. GOV.UK says you can be fined an unlimited amount and imprisoned for up to 6 months for selling or using fireworks illegally, and you could get an on-the-spot fine of £90.

When you are ready, browse our fireworks for sale online, from £25 packs to full display packages. Still deciding who to buy from? Read our guide to specialist vs supermarket fireworks.

Sources: GOV.UK: Fireworks: the law; Fireworks Regulations 2004, regulation 3; Fireworks Regulations 2004, regulation 7; Fireworks Regulations 2004, regulation 9; Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015, regulation 31; Fireworks (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2021; nidirect: Fireworks.

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