Explosives (i.e. Schedule 1 Dangerous Goods under Dangerous Goods (Application and Exemption) Regulation 2012, Cap. 295E) are substances or articles manufactured with a view to producing a practical effect by explosion.

The contractor of the project must obtain a valid "Possession Licence" and a valid "Discharge (Blasting) Permit" before using explosives in rock excavation. The licence and permit will be issued within 2 working days after the contractor has completed all pre-licensing requirements.

For further information, please see : How to Apply for a Blasting Permission. 

Only a person who holds a valid Mine Blasting Certificate issued under Regulation 22, Mines (Safety) Regulation, Cap 285B, or a Use (Individual) Licence issued under section 45, Dangerous Goods (Control) Regulation, Cap 295G, is allowed by law to prepare or discharge any charges, charge any hole with explosives or conduct any blasting operations.

For further information, please see : Mine Blasting Certificates and Use (Individual) Licences to Use Schedule 1 Dangerous Goods (S1DG) in a Licensed Blasting Site. 

For storage of blasting explosives for rock excavation, the applicant should identify a suitable location for a Mode A store (explosives site magazine) to suit his blasting operations. It should have an adequate safety separation distance from buildings and facilities. Once a suitable location is identified, the applicant should submit an application letter with supporting information and documents to Mines Division, Geotechnical Engineering Office, Civil Engineering and Development Department for processing. With input from the Hong Kong Police and, if necessary, the Fire Services Department, pre-licensing requirements for the construction and security of the explosives magazines will be set out for the applicant to comply with. The licence for an explosives store will be issued within 2 working days after constructing the explosives store, complying with the pre-licensing requirements and any other requirements imposed by other Government departments or regulatory authorities, e.g. the Environmental Protection Department.

For further information, please see : How to Apply for a Mode A Licence for Storage of S1DG (Blasting Explosives). 

The explosives to be stored in a Mode B stores must be approved for use in Hong Kong. Where several types of explosives are to be stored in the same Mode B store, the applicant must demonstrate that they can be stored safely together. In addition, Mines Division, the Hong Kong Police Force and the Fire Services Department may impose other safety, security and fire fighting requirements with respect to the location and construction of a Mode B store.

For further information, please see : Licensing and Operation of Mode B Stores 

A contractor holding a valid "Possession Licence" and a ''Discharge (Blasting) Permit' can apply for a Conveyance Permit, as required under DGO, to convey by road blasting explosives. The contractor also needs to obtain a Conveyance Permit if he requires Mines Division to deliver explosives to a blast site or a licensed temporary explosives magazine. The application should be made using a prescribed form and submitted to Mines Division for processing.

For further information, please see : MDPN1 Delivery of Blasting Explosives and Related Safety and Security Procedures. 

No. The applicant for a Conveyance Permit must be the owner of the explosives products or his representative who must understand the hazard inherent in the type of dangerous goods being conveyed and the procedures to be followed in case of an accident or an emergency.

For further information, please see : Application and Handling of a Conveyance Permit. 

No. Each Conveyance Permit covers the conveyance of explosives from one location to another location via a designated route. If explosives are moved from one location to several other destinations, a Conveyance Permit must be obtained for each destination even if the same delivery vehicle is used, the locations are on the same delivery route or adjacent to each other.

No. Vehicles carrying explosives (Class 1 Dangerous Goods) are not permitted under the law to use any vehicular tunnels, including the cross-harbour tunnels. There is a dangerous goods vehicular ferry service available for the transport of explosives to Hong Kong Island.

No. Fireworks displays are regulated under section 72 of the Dangerous Goods (Control) Regulation, Cap 295G. The Secretary for Culture, Sports and Tourism and Director of Marine are the regulatory authorities for the discharge of fireworks on land and at sea, respectively.

No. The Entertainment Special Effects Ordinance (ESEO), Cap 560, regulates the discharge of pyrotechnic special effects materials for a film shoot, a theatrical performance or a pyrotechnics show. The ESEO is under the jurisdiction of the Special Effects Licensing Section in Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency.

For further information, please visit the Special Effects Licensing Section's website, URL https://esela.ccidahk.gov.hk/en/index.html

New commercial explosives products must be approved before being imported into Hong Kong. To obtain such approval, you are required to complete the "Application for Approval of Explosives in Hong Kong " and submit it together with the necessary supporting documents to Mines Division, Civil Engineering and Development Department, for consideration.

For further information, please see :

1. Approval of Explosives in Hong Kong.  

Additional information on specific topics, such as Mine Blasting Certificates and the use, manufacture, storage and transport of explosives can be obtained from:

Chief Geotechnical Engineer/Mines
Mines Division,
6/F, South Tower,
West Kowloon Government Offices,
11 Hoi Ting Road, Kowloon

or from the CEDD web site: http://www.cedd.gov.hk or the "Centralised Explosives Licensing And Management System" website: https://celims.cedd.gov.hk.

Further enquires can also be made by telephone, No. 3842 7210, fax, No. 2714 0193 or email: mines@cedd.gov.hk.