Importing and exporting explosives

You must have a current Queensland Explosives Security Clearance (QESC) if you are applying for a security-sensitive explosives-related licence, which includes fireworks.

From 1 July 2026, use the RSHQ Portal to apply, renew, and manage your QESC, licences, and notifications—for simpler, faster and smarter licensing and compliance.

You must not import explosives or export explosives into Queensland unless you have the appropriate authority.

This guide explains how to apply for a Queensland authority to import or export explosives and your obligations as a licence or permit holder. It also includes information on transhipment of explosives.

You should ensure you contact the Department of Home Affairs for any further requirements for importing and exporting explosives.

Applying for a licence or permit to import or export explosives

You must have a current Queensland Explosives Security Clearance (QESC) if you are applying for a security-sensitive explosives-related licence, which includes fireworks.

From 1 July 2026, use the RSHQ Portal to apply, renew, and manage your QESC, licences, and notifications—for simpler, faster and smarter licensing and compliance.

You must not import explosives or export explosives into Queensland unless you have the appropriate authority.

A licence or permit to import explosives will allow you to bring the stated explosives into Queensland from another country and possess the explosives for that purpose.
A licence or permit to export explosives will allow you to send the stated explosives to another country from Queensland and possess the explosives for that purpose.

Note that a licence or permit to import or export explosives does not allow you to purchase, sell, transport or store explosives.

Who needs a licence or permit

You'll need a licence or permit to import or export explosives unless the explosives are:

part of the operational equipment of a road vehicle or boat, including airbags and distress signals that are part of the boat's safety equipment
brought into Queensland from another Australian state or territory
held in bond under the Customs Prohibited Export Regulation 1958.

You also may not need a licence or permit for collectors' ammunition or small arms ammunition for personal use (see below for requirements).

Licences versus permits

You should apply for a licence if you have an ongoing requirement to import or export the stated explosives.

You should apply for a permit if either:

the import or export is a one-off and not generally related to business
the explosives are destined for another country and being held in Queensland temporarily before being transported to the other country (if one-off case)
the explosives are for an importer licensed in another state or territory and were destined for that state or territory but were diverted to Queensland by the shipping company (not the importer).

Importing and exporting ammunition

You won't need a separate licence or permit to export or import collectors' ammunition, as this is covered by the licence to collect ammunition.

You don't need a permit to import or export small arms ammunition for personal use (e.g. target shooting or hunting) if:

the ammunition is for your own personal use for sports or target shooting or recreational shooting
and
you are licensed or otherwise authorised under the Weapons Act 1990 to use a firearm that uses the ammunition.

If you wish to import a weapon, you should apply to the Queensland Police for a B709 import permit.

Apply

Permit

Your permit application, to import or export explosives on a one-off occurrence, must include:

form E112 – Permit to import or export explosives application form (PDF, 286KB)
licence fee (see table below)
supporting documents (according to the required documentation on the application form).

Licence

You must apply for a licence via the RSHQ Portal (the Portal).

If you have a current licence or Queensland Explosives Security Clearance (QESC):

Log in to your existing Portal account
- if you have forgotten your password, you'll need to reset it
- if you can't remember the email address to log in, email explicensing@rshq.qld.gov.au.
Go to Licensing & clearances.
Select Explosives applications to begin your application.

If you have not held a RSHQ licence or a QESC in the past 12 months:

Sign up to create a Portal account
- find help resources for using the Portal.
Complete an identity verification in the Portal.
Submit a QESC application – you (or applicable directors/partners/responsible person) must hold a valid security clearance before applying for the licence.
To apply for a business account, complete the individual sign-up process then submit a business account setup request via the Manage & update menu in the Portal.
Submit your application in the Portal.

Supporting documents

As part of the Portal application process, you'll need to pay the licence fee (see fees below) and upload copies of the following supporting documents—detailed document requirements are specified in the Portal during the application process:

safety and security management system (SSMS)
and
depending on the type of business making the application
- corporations/registered companies – a copy of the current Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) extract
- listed corporations – details of an appointed responsible person for explosives matters
- partnerships – certified copies of the current certificate of registration of the business name and evidence of registration of the partnership.

For corporations, listed corporations, and partnerships, you must also provide an authorised contact in relation to explosives matters, which must be accompanied by a letter signed by the director or partner authorising the person to act on behalf of the organisation.

Fees and payment options

Licence fees can only be paid via credit card (BPOINT) following submission of the online form. Read more about payment of licence fees.

Fees for licences and permits to import/export explosives

Licence class	Licence type	Licence period	Licence fee
Permit to import/export explosives	All types	N/A	Nil
Licence to import/export explosives	For blasting explosives	1 year 5 year	$859.95 (excl. GST) $4,299.73 (excl. GST)
	For propellant powders and ammunition	1 year 5 year	$571.03 (excl. GST) $2,855.16 (excl. GST)
	For fireworks	1 year 5 year	$420.68 (excl. GST) $2,103.41 (excl. GST)
	For distress signals	1 year 5 year	$128.60 (excl. GST) $642.98 (excl. GST)
	For an explosive not mentioned above, including SSAN	1 year 5 year	$420.68 (excl. GST) $2,103.41 (excl. GST)

Obligations of licence and permit holders

As a licence or permit holder you have a range of obligations, including notifying us before you import or export explosives.

You can find details of your obligations in Explosives information bulletin no. 21 – Import and export of explosives and Explosives information bulletin no. 50 – Handling explosives at ports.

Before importing or exporting explosives, contact the Department of Home Affairs to check their requirements.

Transhipment of explosives

The Explosives Act 1999 applies to explosives imported into Queensland under customs bond that are for immediate transport to another Australian state or territory, or export overseas

This can include any explosive brought into an airport or sea port, transported on a public road and stored temporarily in Queensland.

This does not include explosives under Customs Prohibited Export Regulation 1958 (i.e. explosives under the direct control of the Department of Defence).

You'll need a licence or permit issued under the Explosives Act to import, export, possess, transport and store explosives held under customs control in Queensland.

Any explosive you import into Queensland, including under customs bond, must be authorised and be listed on the list of authorised explosives register.

Security clearances

During transhipment, each person who has the explosives in their possession will need to hold a security clearance. Some explosives may not require a security clearance. See Information Bulletin 74 for more information.

An aviation security identification card (ASIC) or marine security identification card (MSIC) is not an adequate security check for access to explosives.

The operator in possession of the explosives at each part of the journey, under their security management system, needs appropriate security clearance for any employees with unsupervised access to the explosives.

You must also comply with the:

Australian explosives code 3rd edition (AEC3) for a class 1 explosive, including the IMDG code for import or export and the additional requirements of section 6.3 for any explosives under customs bond (see the Safe Work Australia website for more information).
Australian dangerous goods code 7th edition (ADG7) for a class 2–9 explosive (see the National Transport Commission website for more information).

Storage requirements state that, for any issue with explosives under customs bond, an explosives inspector may open and inspect a container's contents. The container then remains under customs bond and, following any inspection and remedial action, is re-sealed.

Contact the Explosives Inspectorate for further information.