Published by ChinaMNC · Jingningshezu

Fireworks Rules in Lishui: What Foreign Founders Need to Know

Lishui's revised fireworks regulation imposes strict limits on where and how fireworks can be sold, stored, and set off. For foreign founders, the key takeaway is compliance: understand prohibited zones, licensing, storage caps, and penalties before planning any event or retail activity involving fireworks.

Key Takeaways for Foreign Founders

Lishui’s revised fireworks regulation, most recently amended in 2026, sets clear boundaries for businesses and individuals. If you plan to run a company in Lishui that sells, stores, or uses fireworks—or if you are organizing a corporate event that might include fireworks—you need to know the rules. The regulation is not directly about company registration, but it affects operational compliance and can trigger fines. Here is what matters for your China company setup and ongoing operations.

• Prohibited zones are broad: Fireworks cannot be sold or set off in urbanized areas of Lishui, including streets, town built-up areas, and provincial-level development zones. Outside these zones, specific locations such as government offices, schools, hospitals, and gas stations are also off-limits.
• Licensing is required: Wholesale and retail fireworks businesses must obtain a fireworks business license from the emergency management department. Retail outlets are limited and must be approved.
• Storage cap for non-licensed entities: Any company or individual not licensed to sell or produce fireworks may store no more than 30 kilograms at a time.
• Penalties can be significant: Fines for unlicensed sales range from RMB 2,000 to RMB 100,000 depending on the violation. Setting off fireworks in prohibited areas can result in fines of RMB 100–500, and service providers (e.g., wedding planners) offering fireworks services face RMB 1,000–5,000 fines.
• Event permits: Large public fireworks displays in prohibited zones require a permit from the public security bureau.

Where Fireworks Are Banned

The regulation bans fireworks sales and use in three main categories of areas within Lishui’s administrative region:

• Urban street areas, town built-up areas, and contiguous village built-up areas where township governments are located in Liandu District.
• Urban built-up areas, town built-up areas, and contiguous village built-up areas where county (city) governments are located.
• Areas under urbanized management in provincial-level or higher development zones (parks).
• Other areas designated and published by municipal or county governments.

During the Spring Festival, local governments may designate specific times, locations, and types of fireworks allowed in these otherwise prohibited zones, following safety and environmental principles. For a foreign founder, this means that even if your business is in a prohibited zone, seasonal exceptions might apply—but only if officially announced.

Specific Locations Where Fireworks Are Always Banned

Outside the prohibited zones, the following locations are still off-limits for setting off fireworks:

• Government office buildings.
• Cultural heritage sites, historic districts, traditional villages, and traditional buildings.
• Transport hubs such as train stations, docks, and airports, and railway safety protection zones.
• Reservoirs, ponds, and their floodplains, as well as drinking water source protection areas.
• Medical facilities, kindergartens, primary and secondary schools, nursing homes, social welfare institutions, and religious venues.
• Museums, commodity trading markets, entertainment venues, parking lots, and other crowded places.
• Units producing, operating, or storing flammable and explosive materials, and key fire safety units.
• Power transmission and transformation facility protection zones.
• Military facility locations.
• Forests and other key fire prevention areas.
• Other locations prohibited by laws, regulations, rules, or county-level or higher government announcements.

If your company operates in any of these locations, you cannot use fireworks on-site, even for celebrations. This is particularly relevant for businesses in hospitality, retail, or events.

Licensing and Operational Rules for Fireworks Businesses

If your China company intends to sell fireworks, you must navigate a specific licensing regime. The emergency management department oversees retail outlet placement, following principles of total quantity control, safety, and rational distribution, after consulting with township governments and street offices. The list of approved outlets is published publicly.

Wholesale and retail operators must obtain a fireworks business license from the emergency management department. The license specifies the types of fireworks and the operating period. Wholesalers must also maintain business records, including product names, specifications, quantities, shelf life, sales times, and buyer information, and keep these records for three years.

For foreign founders, this means that entering the fireworks trade requires a specific license on top of your business license. The process involves local emergency management authorities and may be subject to quantity restrictions. If you are setting up a company in China for other purposes, you generally do not need this license unless fireworks are part of your business scope.

Storage Limits and Prohibitions

Unless you are a licensed wholesaler, retailer, or manufacturer, you may not store more than 30 kilograms of fireworks at any location. This applies to companies and individuals alike. If your business needs to store fireworks for an event, you must either obtain the appropriate license or keep quantities below this threshold. Violations can lead to confiscation and fines of RMB 100–500.

Event Permits for Large Displays

For major public events or large traditional cultural celebrations, if you need to hold a fireworks display in a prohibited zone, the organizer must apply to the public security bureau for a permit. The application is reviewed according to hierarchical management rules. If approved, the public security bureau will publish the permitted time, location, types, specifications, and quantities of fireworks. Foreign founders planning a product launch or festival event involving fireworks should factor in this permit process and ensure ample lead time.

Penalties and Enforcement

The regulation sets out a range of penalties:

• Operating without a license or outside allowed scope: Fines from RMB 2,000 to RMB 100,000, plus confiscation of fireworks and illegal gains.
• Failure to keep proper business records: Fines from RMB 1,000 to RMB 10,000 if not corrected within a deadline.
• Setting off fireworks in prohibited areas or times: Fines of RMB 100–500; wedding and funeral service providers offering fireworks services face RMB 1,000–5,000 fines.
• Damaging warning signs: Fines of RMB 100–500.
• Exceeding storage limits: Confiscation and fines of RMB 100–500.

Additionally, violations may be recorded in the credit file under Zhejiang Province’s public credit information regulations, which could affect your company’s reputation and access to certain services.

What This Means for Your China Company Registration

Fireworks are a highly regulated product in China. If your business plan includes fireworks, you will need to obtain special licenses beyond the standard company registration. For most foreign founders setting up a trading, consulting, or technology company, this regulation is not directly relevant—but it is a reminder that operational compliance in China is local and specific. Always check local regulations before launching any activity involving restricted goods or public events.

When registering your company, you will need to define your business scope. If you include fireworks in your scope, be prepared for additional licensing requirements. Otherwise, you can avoid this complexity by keeping fireworks out of your business activities.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.

For assistance with company registration and compliance in China, contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535.