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.
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 (PDF, 124 kB, 29.09.2020)(This document is not available in English)
- Information sheet on the import of explosives and pyrotechnic articles (PDF, 299 kB, 07.11.2025)(This document is not available in English)
If you are planning to manufacture explosive devices in Switzerland, you require a manufacturing permit from fedpol.
Application for manufacturing permit (PDF, 128 kB, 29.09.2020)(This document is not available in English)
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.
- Authorisation to transfer explosives (i.e. move from one place to another) (PDF, 215 kB, 07.11.2025)(This document is not available in English)
- Information sheet on transferring explosives (PDF, 196 kB, 07.11.2025)(This document is not available in English)
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
- Sprengmittelliste Teil 1 - Sprengstoffe (PDF, 2 MB, 09.04.2025)(This document is not available in English)
- Sprengmittelliste - Teil 2 Zündmittel (PDF, 2 MB, 09.04.2025)(This document is not available in English)
- Authorisation procedure for explosive devices in Switzerland (PDF, 1 MB, 07.11.2025)(This document is not available in English)
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.
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.
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.
Contact
Federal Office of Police
Zentralstelle Explosivstoffe
Guisanplatz 1A
3003 Bern
T: +41 58 462 40 00
E-Mail : zse@fedpol.admin.ch
Legal basis
-
Sprengstoffgesetz - Explosives Act(SR 941.41)
-
Sprengstoffverordnung - Explosives Ordinance(SR 941.411)
Last modification 07.11.2025
