Crackdown on Illegal Fireworks Sales Ahead of Spring Festival in China

With the Spring Festival approaching, Chinese authorities are taking decisive action against the illegal sale of fireworks on social media, emphasizing the potential safety hazards these activities pose. In an incident last Friday in Hangzhou, Zhejiang province, police apprehended a man who had illicitly stockpiled 3 metric tons of fireworks at a rented home in Liangzhu village. This individual purchased the fireworks from a different province and had been promoting them through various WeChat groups while also offering home delivery services.

The Hangzhou Public Security Bureau has reminded the public that fireworks are classified as dangerous materials, which necessitates the acquisition of permits for their sale, transportation, and storage. Officials have made it clear that any violations of these regulations will face severe penalties. The Ministry of Emergency Management reiterated that while authorized sellers may advertise online, all purchases must transpire in certified stores, with home delivery strictly prohibited—even for businesses that hold the proper permits.

Retailers involved in illegal fireworks sales exceeding 50,000 yuan ($6,900) are subject to criminal charges under Chinese law. Recently, police in Dongying, Shandong province, apprehended a retailer for distributing fireworks without a transport permit. Similarly, in Bozhou, Anhui province, a seller was detained for 15 days for advertising unlicensed fireworks online and conducting sales offline.

Licensed retailers are bound by stringent safety protocols. A fireworks shop owner in Hangzhou, referred to by her surname Ye, explained that these businesses must be situated in isolated, single-story structures to minimize risk to the public and nearby gas stations. She shared that vendors are required to complete online safety courses and pass two exams every two years to retain their licenses. Additionally, local fire, emergency management, and police departments conduct weekly inspections of these stores as the festival approaches.

In the past, unlicensed sellers have attracted consumers with lower prices and home delivery options, but Ye cautioned that this approach contravenes established regulations. "Transportation permits are designated for specific vehicles along fixed routes and are intended for one-time use. A store cannot obtain a unique permit for each customer," she clarified.

Authorities strongly advise the public to buy fireworks only from licensed stores, and in specific regions such as Yuhang district in Hangzhou, officials have released lists of authorized sellers. Consumers are also encouraged to thoroughly check product packaging and labels for information regarding the manufacturer, certification, safety warnings, and usage instructions before making any purchases.