Explosives Publications

Due to the potential misuse of these explosive materials to the detriment of public safety, the role of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) in protecting the public from unsafe or unsecure storage is vital. ATF’s jurisdiction over explosives extends to requiring licenses to engage in the business of importing, manufacturing and/ or distributing explosives materials. An ATF permit is also required to ship, transport or receive explosives. ATF regularly inspects the explosives storage magazines and records of explosives licensees and permittees to ensure compliance with federal explosives regulations.

Published/Revised: December 15, 2025

The  Annual Explosives Incident Report (EIR) reviews bombing and  explosives related incidents  from information reported to the United  States  Bomb Data Center (USBDC) through the Bomb  Arson  Tracking  System (BATS) and  Open-Source information through  TRIPwire.   

Published/Revised: September 10, 2025

The  Annual Explosives Incident Report (EIR) reviews bombing and  explosives related incidents  from information reported to the United  States  Bomb Data Center (USBDC) through the Bomb  Arson  Tracking  System (BATS) and  Open-Source information through  TRIPwire.   

Published/Revised: September 10, 2025

2018 Explosives Incident Report (EIR)

Published/Revised: September 10, 2025

The annual EIR reviews bombing and explosives related incidents from information reported to the USBDC through the Bomb Arson Tracking System (BATS) and OpenSource information collected through the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Office for Bombing Prevention (OBP), Technical Resource for Incident Protection (TRIPwire).   

Published/Revised: September 10, 2025

The Annual Explosives Incident Report reviews bombing and explosives related incidents from information reported to the United States Bomb Data Center (USBDC) through the Bomb Arson Tracking System (BATS) and open-source information collected through the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA), Office for Bombing Prevention (OBP), Technical Resource for Incident Prevention (TRIPwire).

Published/Revised: September 10, 2025

This form is used to add responsible persons to a Federal Explosives License or Permit (FEL/P) with the application as well as after a FEL/P has already been issued. It is also required to be submitted with every FEL/P Renewal Application (ATF Form 5400.14/5400.15).

Published/Revised: June 30, 2025

PDF version of the USBDC fact sheet for fiscal year 2023. USBDC collects information and intelligence about crimes involving bombings, arson and explosives to support interagency criminal cases.

Published/Revised: October 22, 2024

This circular has been published to inform you of a potential explosion hazard relating to a malfunctioning of automatic ammunition reloading equipment.

Published/Revised: August 12, 2024

This application must be completed by any federal explosives licensee or permittee (FEL/P) who intends to make changes, such as the name and/or address, to an active license or permit.

Published/Revised: May 7, 2024

This form is used to determine the eligibility of the applicant to engage in certain operations, to determine the location and extent of operations, and to determine whether the operations will be in conformity with federal laws and regulations when working with explosives.

Published/Revised: April 24, 2024

The purpose of this form is to report the theft or loss of explosive materials to ATF.

Published/Revised: April 22, 2024

This ruling authorizes licensed explosives importers, manufacturers and dealers to maintain commercial records instead of a separate record as a permanent record of acquisitions, distributions/dispositions, and use of explosive materials. 

Published/Revised: February 8, 2024

The purpose of this open letter is to notify all persons that ATF has rescinded special explosive device exemptions for certain consumer-style grenades (e.g. flashbang grenades, smoke grenades). As a result, these explosive devices are no longer exempt from the provisions of the Federal explosives regulations at 27 CFR, Part 555 – Commerce in Explosives. 

Published/Revised: November 8, 2023

This form is used to determine the eligibility of the employee possessor (EP) to engage in certain explosives operations.

Published/Revised: November 1, 2023

ATF authorizes federal explosives licensees and permittees to maintain their explosives records electronically instead of in paper format, provided the conditions set forth in this ruling are met.

Published/Revised: October 18, 2023

This form is used by ATF to determine whether a certification from a state of multi-state authority is needed for discharge of effluent into navigable water of the United States.

Published/Revised: September 28, 2023

The Annual Explosives Incident Report (EIR) reviews bombing and explosives related incidents from information reported to the United States Bomb Data Center (USBDC) through the Bomb Arson Tracking System (BATS) and Open-Source information through  TRIPwire.   

Published/Revised: July 30, 2023

ATF would like to remind everyone of applicable regulations concerning consumer fireworks for the Fourth of July. 

Published/Revised: June 27, 2023

What’s In This Issue: New Chief, EIPB; Importation and Manufacture of Small Arms Ammunition and Components; Importation of Articles Pyrotechnic Marked as Display Fireworks; Indoor Storage in Residences/Dwellings; Open letter – Electronic Nicotine Delivery Systems; Distance Requirements for Ammonium Nitrate Products; Black Powder Exemption Reminder; Less Lethal Munitions Marking Requirements; ATF Ruling 2011-3 Reminder; Government Exemptions; Storage at Correctional Facilities; Q&As; Receiving ATF Website Update Notices

Published/Revised: June 14, 2023

ATF authorizes federal explosives licensees and permittees, and state and local government agencies conducting avalanche control/mitigation activities, to store explosives in remote avalanche control systems, provided the conditions set forth in this ruling are met.

Published/Revised: January 9, 2023

This presentation details when a variance to deviate from the explosive's regulations may be requested, to whom they may be issued, where to direct such requests and documentation from the requestor to assist in evaluation of those requests.

Published/Revised: June 15, 2022

This publication defines what each Federal explosives permittee and limited permitee must do for compliance, as per the Federal explosives regulations, at 27 CFR, Part 555.

Published/Revised: January 27, 2022

The purpose of this open letter is to provide all federal explosives licensees and permittees guidance on the safe storage of explosive materials. Electronic nicotine delivery systems, or other similar devices, are electronic devices that, through an aerosolized solution, deliver nicotine, flavor, and/or other substances (including non-tobacco products) to the user inhaling from the device. ATF has determined that electronic nicotine delivery systems are spark producing devices. Therefore, they cannot be brought into or within 50 feet of any outdoor explosives storage magazine or within any room containing an indoor magazine.

Published/Revised: October 21, 2021

What's in this Issue?: New Assistant Director and Deputy Assistant Director, Enforcement Programs and Services; FEID Personnel Changes, Updated Form for Explosives Theft or Loss; Articles Pyrotechnic Exemption; Overview of IMESAFR; Reporting Employee Possessors; Changes to the List of Explosive Materials; Report Suspicious Activity; Underground Storage Reminder; Authorized Persons List; Question and Answers; Updated Publications; 2020 ATF Webinar

Published/Revised: October 5, 2021