Explosives Publications

This publication identifies what licensed manufacturers must do for compliance, as per the Federal explosives regulations at 27 CFR, Part 555.    

Published/Revised: October 1, 2011

This open letter is to encourage federal explosives licensees to exercise increased awareness and vigilance as the anniversary of September 11 approaches. The security of your explosives' storage sites is very important.

Published/Revised: August 19, 2011

This letter provides information regarding the distribution to and receipt of explosives for pest control and mitigation purposes by states or their political subdivisions.

Published/Revised: July 1, 2011

ATF authorizes alternate use of hidden-shackle "hockey puck" locks, recessed padlocks, and padlocks with boron alloy shackles to secure explosives magazines, provided all of the requirements stated of this ruling have been met.

Published/Revised: June 23, 2011

In response to continued thefts of vehicles carrying explosive materials along the southwest U.S. border, the ATF reminds all persons holding Federal explosives licenses or permits of the importance of security when storing or transporting explosive materials.

Published/Revised: April 19, 2011

This open letter is to all federally recognized Indian tribes and explosives licensees and permittees and provides guidance regarding the Tribal Law and Order Act of 2010. The law created an exemption for federally recognized Indian tribes or tribal agencies from provisions of the Federal explosives laws with respect to display fireworks.

Published/Revised: March 15, 2011

Voluntary steps for Federal Explosives Licensees and Permittees to prepare for and recover from natural disasters.

Published/Revised: March 1, 2011

ATF authorizes alternate storage for explosives licensees and permittees to store bulk blasting agents in outdoor type 5 bin or silo magazines without the specified locks provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling have been met.

Published/Revised: February 18, 2011

This letter provides information regarding explosive pest control devices (EPCDs). Agricultural, aquacultural, and aviation industries use EPCDs — commonly known as bird bombs or seal bombs — to help protect crops, natural resources, and aircraft from damage by wildlife. 

Published/Revised: November 12, 2010

ATF authorizes alternate storage of containers of explosive materials in magazines so that marks are not visible, provided all of the requirements stated in this ruling are met.

Published/Revised: June 24, 2010

The purpose of this letter is to provide Federal explosives licensees and permittees with information about the recent district court decision regarding ammonium perchlorate composite propellant (APCP). 

Published/Revised: July 17, 2009

This advisory is a security checklist of best practices for all Federal explosives licensees and permittees.

Published/Revised: February 24, 2009

This year, a fireworks industry groups made a proposal that ATF anticipates will make fireworks recordkeeping more manageable and enhance our ability to trace and track fireworks. The proposed process should improve public safety and reduce the number of illegal transactions in display fireworks.

Published/Revised: May 30, 2008

Under specified conditions, display fireworks may be temporarily stored in locked, attended motor vehicles at explosives magazine site(s) and fireworks display site(s) without meeting 27 CFR 555.210 locking requirements provided certain security measures are in place.

Published/Revised: January 18, 2007

ATF provides guidance on two situations involving structures and whether they are "inhabited buildings" as defined in 27 CFR Part 555.

Published/Revised: November 25, 2005

ATF provides guidance on three different private roads and whether they are "highways" as defined in 27 CFR 555.11.

Published/Revised: September 8, 2005

ATF provides guidance on three different private roads and whether they are "highways" as defined in 27 CFR 555.11.

Published/Revised: June 5, 2004

The purpose of this open letter is to remind federal explosives licensees and permittees to be vigilant during the Fourth of July holiday and provide information regarding the new intrastate limited permit.

Published/Revised: June 27, 2003

Distributors distributing explosive materials via common or contract carrier to limited permittees may verify receipt of the materials by telephone, facsimile, email, or other means within three business days of shipment. ATF Form 5400.4 notation requirements.

Published/Revised: May 23, 2003

The purpose of this letter is to remind all federal explosives licensees and permittees that the first provisions of the Act went into effect on Jan. 24, 2003, and the remaining provisions go into effect on May 24, 2003.

Published/Revised: May 16, 2003

The purpose of this letter is to provide you information on the provisions of the Safe Explosives Act (the Act), which was enacted on Nov. 25, 2002.

Published/Revised: November 29, 2002

This open letter provides information for public and private institutes and the provisions pertaining to the Safe Explosives Act.

Published/Revised: November 29, 2002

ATF will approve variances to store explosives in a residence or dwelling only upon certain conditions including, but not limited to, receipt of a certification of compliance with state and local law, and documentation that local fire safety officials have received a copy of the certification.

Published/Revised: August 23, 2002

ATF requires approval of variances for indoor storage of explosives in business premises directly adjacent to a residence or dwelling.

Published/Revised: August 23, 2002

The purpose of this letter is to ask that you continue to be vigilant in light of heightened security concerns regarding possible terrorist activity involving explosives.

Published/Revised: May 21, 2002