Apply for Explosives Licence

Content Overview

Guns, Explosives and Weapons Control Act 2021 (GEWCA)

The meaning of “explosive” and associated terms are listed under section 4 of the GEWCA include —

Category	Items Included
Ammunition	• Cartridges with live primers and projectiles • Cartridges with live primers, propelling charge, and projectiles (e.g., nail gun cartridges) • Live primers, propellants, or blank cartridges • Other objects suitable for use as ammunition in guns (if prescribed)
Explosive Substances	• Gunpowder • Nitro-glycerine • Dynamite • Gun-cotton • Blasting powder • Fulminate of mercury or other metals • Coloured fires • Substances manufactured for explosion or pyrotechnic effects • Phlegmatised substances with explosive properties [Desensitised Explosives]
Explosive Devices	• Bombs • Grenades • Mines • Fog signals • Distress signals • Fuses • Detonators • Blasting caps • Percussion caps
Fireworks	• Articles containing explosives designed for entertainment producing:- Light- Sound- Gas- Smoke • Rocket fireworks
High Explosives	• Cyclotetramethylenetetranitramine (HMX) • Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) • Cyclotrimethylenetrinitramine (RDX)
Plastic Explosives	• Explosives formulated with high explosives and binder material • Malleable or flexible at room temperature
Other Categories	• Sand crackers • Distress signals (including marine flares, landing flares, highway flares) • Prohibited explosives (as prescribed by the Minister) • Unmarked plastic explosives

List of Common Desensitised Explosives (DE)

S/No.	Desensitised Explosives	UN Number	HS Code	Product Code
1	Nitroglycerin,Solution In Alcohol , With Not More Than 1 Percent Nitroglycerin	UN1204	29209000	ANEXDE009D
2	Ammonium Picrate, Wetted With Not Less Than 10 Percent Water, By Mass	UN1310	29089900	ANEXDE007F
3	Dinitrophenol, Wetted With Not Less Than 15 Percent Water, By Mass	UN1320	29089900	ANEXDE007A
4	Dinitrophenolates, Wetted With Not Less Than 15 Percent Water, By Mass	UN1321	29089900	ANEXDE007B
5	Dinitroresorcinol, Wetted With Not Less Than 15 Percent Water, By Mass	UN1322	29089900	ANEXDE007C
6	Nitroguanidine, Wetted Or Picrite, Wetted With Not Less Than 20 Percent Water, By Mass	UN1336	29299090	ANEXDE013
7	Nitrostarch, Wetted With Not Less Than 20 Percent Water, By Mass	UN1337	35051090	ANEXDE016
8	Trinitrophenol, Wetted With Not Less Than 30 Percent Water, By Mass	UN1344	29089900	ANEXDE007D
9	Silver Picrate, Wetted With Not Less Than 30 Percent Water, By Mass	UN1347	28432900	ANEXDE001
10	Sodium Dinitro-O-Cresolate, Wetted With Not Less Than 15 Percent Water, By Mass	UN1348	29089200	ANEXDE006B
11	Sodium Picramate, Wetted With Not Less Than 20 Percent Water, By Mass	UN1349	29222900	ANEXDE010A
12	Trinitrobenzene, Wetted With Not Less Than 30 Percent Water, By Mass	UN1354	29042090	ANEXDE004B
13	Trinitrobenzoic Acid, Wetted With Not Less Than 30 Percent Water, By Mass	UN1355	29163990	ANEXDE008B
14	Trinitrotoluene Wetted With Not Less Than 30 Percent Water, By Mass	UN1356	29042010	ANEXDE003B
15	Urea Nitrate, Wetted With Not Less Than 20 Percent Water, By Mass	UN1357	29241990	ANEXDE011A
16	Zirconium Picramate, Wetted With Not Less Than 20% Water, By Mass	UN1517	29222900	ANEXDE010B
17	Barium Azide, Wetted With Not Less Than 50% Water, By Mass	UN1571	28500000	ANEXDE002
18	Nitrocellulose Solution, Flammable With Not More Than 12.6% Nitrogen, By Dry Mass, And Not More Than 55% Nitrocellulose	UN2059	39122011	ANEXDE018B
19	Nitrocellulose With Water (Not Less Than 25% Water, By Mass)	UN2555	39122011	ANEXDE018A
20	Nitrocellulose With Water (Non-Plasticised)	UN2555	39122011	ANEXDE018A
21	Nitrocellulose With Water (Plasticised)	UN2555	39122020	ANEXDE020B
22	Nitrocellulose With Alcohol (Not Less Than 25% Alcohol, By Mass, And Not More Than 12.6% Nitrogen, By Dry Mass)	UN2556	39122012	ANEXDE019A
23	Nitrocellulose, With Not More Than 12.6% Nitrogen, By Dry Mass, Mixture With Plasticizer, With Pigment	UN2557	39122020	ANEXDE020A
24	Dipicryl Sulphide, Wetted With Not Less Than 10% Water, By Mass	UN2852	29319090	ANEXDE014
25	Nitroglycerin, Solution In Alcohol With More Than 1% But Not More Than 5% Nitroglycerin	UN3064	29209000	ANEXDE009C
26	2-Amino-4,6-Dinitrophenol, Wetted With Not Less Than 20% Water, By Mass	UN3317	29222900	ANEXDE010C
27	Nitroglycerin Mixture, Desensitized, Solid, N.O.S^[1]. With More Than 2% But Not More Than 10% Nitroglycerin, By Mass	UN3319	29209000	ANEXDE009A
28	Nitroglycerin Mixture, Desensitized, Liquid, Flammable, N.O.S. With Not More Than 30% Nitroglycerin, By Mass	UN3343	29209000	ANEXDE009B
29	Pentaerythrite Tetranitrate Mixture, Desensitized, Solid, N.O.S. With More Than 10% But Not More Than 20% Petn, By Mass	UN3344	36020000	ANEXDE017B
30	Nitroglycerin Mixture, Desensitized, Liquid, N.O.S. With Not More Than 30% Nitroglycerin, By Mass	UN3357	29209000	ANEXDE009B
31	Trinitrophenol Wetted With Not Less Than 10% Water, By Mass	UN3364	29089900	ANEXDE007E
32	Trinitrochlorobenzene Wetted With Not Less Than 10% Water, By Mass	UN3365	29049900	ANEXDE005
33	Trinitrotoluene, Wetted With Not Less Than 10% Water, By Mass	UN3366	29042010	ANEXDE003A
34	Trinitrobenzene, Wetted With Not Less Than 10% Water, By Mass	UN3367	29042090	ANEXDE004A
35	Trinitrobenzoic Acid, Wetted With Not Less Than 10% Water, By Mass	UN3368	29163990	ANEXDE008A
36	Sodium Dinitro-O-Cresolate, Wetted With Not Less Than 10% Water, By Mass	UN3369	29089200	ANEXDE006A
37	Urea Nitrate, Wetted With Not Less Than 10% Water, By Mass	UN3370	29241990	ANEXDE011B
38	4-Nitrophenyl-Hydrazine, With Not Less Than 30% Water, By Mass	UN3376	29280090	ANEXDE012
39	Desensitized Explosive, Liquid, N.O.S.	UN3379	36020000	ANEXDE017C
40	Desensitized Explosive, Solid, N.O.S.	UN3380	36020000	ANEXDE017D
41	1-Hydroxybenzotriazole Monohydrate	UN3474	29339990	ANEXDE015

[1] N.O.S – Not Otherwise Specified

1.1 Types of Applications

Apply

To apply for the Licence, you will need to visit GoBusiness webpage, which will require you to sign in using your Individual SingPass or Company SingPass.

The process may take about 15-20 minutes to complete.

Processing Time

About 30 days from the receipt of the application, processing fee (if required) and the necessary documents. Any incomplete or incorrect submission will delay the processing timeline.

You will be notified of the outcome via email from GoBusiness. Alternatively, you can login to GoBusiness to view your application status.

Explosive Licence Type	Description
Possession	Authorises possession and use of specified explosives. Limited to entities with legitimate needs.
Transport	Permits movement of explosives between approved locations. Only for licensed entities or authorised transportation companies with specially equipped vehicles.
Storage	Authorises storage at approved magazines/premises with strict security measures and quantity limits.
Supply	Permits sale/distribution to licensed entities. Only for approved suppliers with proper security measures.
Manufacture	Allows production of explosives. Highly restricted - only for approved manufacturers with comprehensive safety protocols.
Dispose	Permits disposal through approved methods. Limited to qualified entities with proper disposal facilities.
Repair	Authorises repair and maintenance of explosive devices. Limited to qualified entities with technical expertise in explosive devices.
Use (Rock Blasting)	Permits use of explosives specifically for rock blasting operations. Limited to qualified shot firers and companies with expertise in demolition/mining operations.
Use (Fireworks)	Authorises the display/use of fireworks for events. Limited to licensed pyrotechnicians and companies with expertise in fireworks displays.

Regulations Relevant to the Explosives Regulatory Regime:

Guns, Explosives and Weapons Control (Explosives and Explosive Precursors) Regulations 2025
Guns, Explosives and Weapons Control (Transporting Lower-risk Explosives — Class Licence) Order 2025
Guns, Explosives and Weapons Control (Dealing in Certain Lower-risk Explosives — Class Licence) Order 2025
Guns, Explosives and Weapons Control (Explosives — Exemption) Order 2025
Guns, Explosives and Weapons Control (Maritime Industry — Exemption) Order 2025
Guns, Explosives and Weapons Control (Theatrical Use — Class Licence) Order 2025

1.2 Renewal of Licence

Renewal of Licence

The renewal window for licences will open in GoBusiness around 4 months before the expiry date of the licence.

To apply for Renewal of Licence, you will need to visit GoBusiness webpage, which will require you to sign in using your Individual SingPass or Company Corppass.

Log in to GoBusiness with your Singpass or Corppass
Under the My Licences, "Due for Renewal", look for the Licence you wish to renew
Click on 'Select Action" and "Renew"
Complete the Renewal application form with your business details
Upload all required supporting documents [refer to application guideline for the documents to be submitted]
Review your application and submit the application

The process may take about 15-20 minutes to complete.

Processing Time

About 30 days from the receipt of the application, processing fee (if required) and the necessary documents. Any incomplete or incorrect submission will delay the processing timeline.

You will be notified of the outcome via email from GoBusiness. Alternatively, you can login to GoBusiness to view your application status.

1.3 Explosive Licence Fees

GEWCA EXPLOSIVE Licence Fees

The full list of Licence Fees related to Explosives is under the Fee Schedule of the Guns, Explosives and Weapons Control (Explosives and Explosive Precursors) Regulations 2025

Please click here to download the Full List of Licence Fees, extracted from the GEWCA Regulations

GEWCA Licence Fees For Explosive

Activity	New Fee under GEWCA / 3 years	Bundled Licence Fee under GEWCA /3 years
Transport	$300		$1,370		$1,620		$1,880		$2,430
Possession / Use	$300	$1,280		$1,370		$1,640		$2,180
Store	$1,120
Supply	$580	Not Applicable
Dispose	$830			Not Applicable
Repair	$580
Manufacture	$1,120					Not Applicable

Non-Renewable Licence Fee

Activity	Licence Fee
Licence to Import or Export	$40 per relevant consignment to be imported or exported under the licence
Gun transport licence (non-renewable) to convey any relevant consignment	$40 per relevant consignment to be conveyed under the licence

1.4 Information on List of Licensed Fireworks Companies

List of Licensed Firework Companies

Explomo Corporation Pte Ltd
Intermay Consultech Pte Ltd
Knights Synergy (S) Pte Ltd
Effects Technologies Pte Ltd
SpectaWorks Pte Ltd;

List of Licensed Sparkular (Fireworks Machine) Companies

Technology Display Pte Ltd
FX Technic

1.5 Application Guidelines

The following guidelines outline the requirements and documentation necessary for the application of an Explosive Licence:

Advisory

Advisory on Transportation of Lower-Risk Explosive under Class Licence

1.6 Estimated Completion Time

20 Minutes

1.7 Contact Details

If you have any query on this e-service, you can send it via SPF Feedback. For technical issue, please include a screenshot of the issue (max 7MB).

Landing page banner