Explosive substances
German explosives legislation covers explosive substances such as explosives (black powder, nitroglycerin, ...) and pyrotechnic articles (fireworks), but also the explosive materials used in science and medicine, for example, as well as fuses and detonators.
The import or transfer of such materials and substances into Germany is only permitted if they have been officially approved and if the transferor or importer holds a specific licence as required by explosives legislation.
The transit of explosive substances through Germany is only permitted if the transit operator has obtained the relevant licence.
The Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing (Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung) is the competent authorising body for explosive substances. The relevant licences are issued - subject to the licensee furnishing proof of expert knowledge - by the state authority (Landesbehörde) competent for the handling of explosives in the region where the importer, transferor or transit operator resides. Depending on local authority structures, this may be the local government office, the trade supervisory board, or the office for industrial safety, respectively Subject to the licensee having furnished proof of the required expertise, the relevant licences are issued by the state authority (Landesbehörde) competent for the handling of explosives in the region where the importer, transferer, or transit operator resides, which may be, depending on the structure of the local authority, the local government office, the trade inspectorate, or the office for occupational safety.
The German customs administration is involved in monitoring the observance of explosives legislation both at the external borders of the European Union and domestically through its mobile inspection units.
