Key Takeaways
- Based on the American Pyrotechnics Affiliation, the worth of the U.S. fireworks enterprise approached $3 billion final 12 months.
- Practically all the shopper fireworks bought listed here are imported from China, in response to the APA, which is worried concerning the impact that tariffs may have on the trade headed into 2026.
- In the meantime, the group is one in all many organizations that urge warning for fireworks customers and watchers across the Independence Day vacation.
For hundreds of thousands of People, July 4th is about Independence Day fireworks.
Whether or not it is sparklers, Roman candles, or firecrackers—and whether or not they’re purchased legally or smuggled throughout state traces—they quantity to an trade valued at billions of {dollars} a 12 months.
The approaching vacation means a rush at fireworks stands throughout the U.S.—in addition to a cottage trade of security movies, well-meaning warnings from hearth departments and different teams, and nervous mother and father.
There’s one thing else on individuals’s minds this 12 months: tariffs.
Fireworks Are a Booming Trade
Fireworks are massive enterprise within the U.S. Based on the American Pyrotechnics Affiliation (APA), fireworks legally bought to customers totaled $2.2 billion in 2024, whereas skilled “show fireworks”—these utilized in civic and different celebrations across the nation—amounted to a different $600 million.
Nevertheless, the commerce group is worried concerning the impression of tariffs on imported items from China, the place 99% of shopper fireworks bought within the U.S. are made, it mentioned in a latest press launch. Tariffs “are compounding present value pressures and will have an effect on future entry to reasonably priced fireworks, the APA mentioned.
APA Government Director Julie Heckman advised Investopedia that 2026—the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence—might be a “historic 12 months for the fireworks trade,” and that if the present 30% tariffs on Chinese language fireworks stay in place, “it should cripple the trade.”
“Fireworks are an iconic a part of America’s celebration of freedom,” Heckman mentioned in a latest press launch urging a tariff exemption for the trade.
‘Do not Be That Man’
Within the meantime, there are extra urgent issues: the security of people that select to set off fireworks this coming weekend. Yearly, the APA—whose motto is “Preserving & Selling an American Custom”—points security steering forward of July 4th.
To that finish, the commerce group’s American Pyrotechnics Security and Schooling Basis lately launched an animated video collection known as “Explosive Errors: Do not Be That Man.” One video, titled “Fireworks Are NOT Toys,” instructs viewers to by no means place lit fireworks on high of their heads or chests.
Greater than 14,000 People had been handled for fireworks-related accidents final 12 months, in response to the Client Product Security Fee; eleven had been killed. Which may be an inducement to take some recommendation from Homer, provided in an previous “Simpsons“ episode: Stand again whilst you have a good time freedom.
