Published on 7 November 2025

Explosive devices

Anyone who intends to import, sell, purchase, manufacture or use explosive devices, either for professional purposes or for entertainment, requires authorisation. All explosive devices require a permit, either from fedpol or from a cantonal authority, depending on which is responsible.

Permits and who needs them

Permits issued by fedpol

Information: all documents exist in German, French or Italian. On this page, all documents are in German.

• Import

  If you are planning to import explosive devices into Switzerland, you require an import permit from fedpol.
  
  You can find information on the regulations in the information sheet on the import of explosive devices and pyrotechnic articles.

  • Application for import permit

    (This document is not available in English)

    PDF127.95 kB29 September 2020

  • Information sheet on the import of explosives and pyrotechnic articles

    (This document is not available in English)

    PDF307.16 kB31 August 2023

• Manufacture

  If you are planning to manufacture explosive devices in Switzerland, you require a manufacturing permit from fedpol.

  • Application for manufacturing permit

    (This document is not available in English)

    PDF132.05 kB29 September 2020

• Transfer, import and export

  If you planning to import explosive devices into Switzerland, you require additional authorisation to transfer explosives (i.e. move from one place to another (Art. 91a ExplO)
  
  You can find information on importing, exporting and transferring explosive devices in the Information sheet on transferring explosives.

  • Information sheet on transferring explosives

    (This document is not available in English)

    PDF201.54 kB31 August 2023

  • Authorisation to transfer explosives (i.e. move from one place to another)

    (This document is not available in English)

    PDF220.76 kB7 November 2025

• Authorisation procedure

  Authorisation procedure

  The authorisation of explosive devices in Switzerland is subject to certain requirements. The Central Office for Explosives at fedpol decides whether explosive devices should be authorised. You can find a list of all the products that have been authorised by the Central Office in the list of explosives.
  

  The document on the authorisation procedure for explosive devices in Switzerland contains:
  

  • information on the general requirements for explosive devices in Switzerland;
  • an overview of the relevant legal provisions regarding the authorisation of explosive devices;
    
  • detailed information on how to mark, label and pack explosive devices; 
  • Sprengmitteln;
    
  • detailed information on the substance used for marking explosive devices.

  Applications for the authorisation of explosive devices must be submitted in full, together with the corresponding test samples. Please send your authorisation request by email or post to fedpol and the corresponding test samples to the Forensic Institute of Zurich (see below for details). You should submit a separate application for each explosive device. The authorisation procedure takes up to six months from receipt of the full documentation.

  Addresses:
  Email address of the Central Office for Explosives: zse(at)fedpol.admin.ch
  Postal address of the Central Office for Explosives: Bundesamt für Polizei, Zentralstelle Explosivstoffe, Guisanplatz 1A, 3003 Bern
  Postal address of the Forensic Institute of Zurich: Forensisches Institut Zürich, Explosivstoffanalytik, Güterstrasse 33, 8010 Zürich

  • Authorisation procedure for explosive devices in Switzerland

    (This document is not available in English)

    PDF1.93 MB31 August 2024

  • Sprengmittelliste Teil 1 - Sprengstoffe

    (This document is not available in English)

    PDF7.36 MB15 January 2026

  • Sprengmittelliste - Teil 2 Zündmittel

    (This document is not available in English)

    PDF6.99 MB15 January 2026

Permits issued by the cantons

Information: all documents exist in German, French or Italian. On this page, all documents are in German.

You can obtain information on permits issued by the cantons from the cantonal offices responsible for explosives.

• List of the cantonal offices responsible for explosives

  PDF199.33 kB8 September 2025

• Acquisition

  If you wish to acquire explosive devices, you should contact the appropriate cantonal authority about obtaining a permit. Permit fees vary from CHF 20 to CHF 200, depending on the canton.
  

• Sale

  If you wish to sell explosive devices, you require a permit from the appropriate canton. Note: If you wish to sell explosive devices, you will need to store them and will therefore require a storage permit. Further information on storage is available from the cantonal authorities.
   

• Legal basis

  • Sprengstoffgesetz - Explosives Act
    (SR 941.41)
  • Sprengstoffverordnung - Explosives Ordinance
    (SR 941.411)