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Export fireworks and matches

Sivakasi safety matches sell well in Africa; fireworks exports are small and heavily regulated.

Free to exportHS 3604
HS code
3604
Fireworks, signalling flares and other pyrotechnic articles (3604), and safety matches and other matches (3605).
Export policy
Free to export
Not restricted in ITC(HS) Schedule 2, but fireworks are explosives: you need PESO licences under the Explosives Act and Explosives Rules, 2008, for manufacture, storage and export. Confirm the DGFT entry and your PESO licence before you take an order.
Registrations
4
IEC, GST and those below
India’s exports, 2025-26
US$ 59.8 mn
to 98 countries

What is exported

Tamil Nadu (Sivakasi and nearby towns) makes most of India's safety matches and fireworks. Matches are a steady export to Africa: in 2025-26 India exported about US$ 60 million under HS 3605, led by Benin, Nigeria, Tanzania, Ghana and Sudan. Fireworks exports are very small (about US$ 0.3 million under HS 3604) because buyer countries demand type approvals and few shipping lines carry explosives.

Varieties, grades and forms

  • Safety matchesWooden-splint and wax matches in boxes or booklets — the main export line (HS 3605).
  • Consumer fireworksSparklers, fountains and ground items (HS 3604 10) — need foreign type approvals.
  • Signal flares and other pyrotechnicsShip signals and distress flares (HS 3604 90) — specialised buyers only.

Where it is grown or made

  • Tamil NaduSivakasi, Sattur and Virudhunagar — fireworks and matches
  • Tamil NaduKovilpatti (Thoothukudi) and Gudiyatham (Vellore) — safety matches

Export packing

  • Match boxes in printed outer packs and cartons approved for Class 4.1 dangerous goods, with UN marks.
  • Fireworks in UN-specification packaging matching their classification, with hazard labels in the buyer's language.
  • Moisture barriers for humid routes; segregate from other cargo as the IMDG Code requires.

Who buys abroad

  • Match importers and FMCG distributors in Africa
  • Supermarket and convenience-store chains
  • Licensed fireworks importers and event companies
  • Marine-safety suppliers (signal flares)

The quality buyers ask for

Match quality
Ignites on first strike, head does not break or fly off, splint does not snap
Count and size
Sticks per box (for example 40 or 50), box size and outer pack count as ordered
Moisture resistance
Heads and friction strips that work in humid climates
Fireworks
Category, net explosive content and performance as approved by the destination authority

Certificates

  • PESO licencesRequiredManufacture, storage and export licences under the Explosives Rules, 2008 (for fireworks).
  • Dangerous-goods declaration (IMDG)RequiredFor fireworks (Class 1) and safety matches (Class 4.1).
  • CE marking (EU)Often askedFireworks need notified-body type examination under Directive 2013/29/EU.
  • US CPSC and transport approvalOften askedConsumer fireworks must meet CPSC rules and carry a US explosives transport approval.

Shipping, storage and shelf life

Container load

Safety matches typically ship in 20-ft containers as Class 4.1 cargo; fireworks need lines and ports that accept Class 1, often with special stowage.

How it travels

Sea from Tuticorin (V.O. Chidambaranar) or Chennai, close to the Sivakasi–Kovilpatti cluster.

Storage

Licensed, dry storage away from heat and ignition sources; follow PESO rules for fireworks.

What goes on the pack and carton

  • Outer cartons: UN number, proper shipping name, hazard labels and packing marks under the IMDG Code.
  • Match boxes: brand, stick count, maker or importer details and "Made in India".
  • Fireworks: category, safety distance and instructions in the destination language, as the approval requires.
Where to get it tested

PESO's Fireworks Research and Development Centre at Sivakasi supports testing for the fireworks industry. For matches, use NABL-accredited labs or the buyer's nominated inspection agency; for EU or US fireworks approvals, use a notified body or approved test house.

Benefits of exporting this product

Where to register

  • CAPEXILFireworks and safety matches are listed under CAPEXIL in Appendix 2T.capexil.org ↗
  • PESOLicences to manufacture, possess, transport and export fireworks are issued by PESO under the Explosives Rules, 2008.peso.gov.in ↗

Quality and checks

  • Dangerous goods: consumer fireworks usually ship as Class 1.4G and safety matches as UN 1944, Class 4.1 under the IMDG Code — classification, packing and declarations must be correct.
  • EU: fireworks need CE marking after type examination by a notified body under the Pyrotechnic Articles Directive 2013/29/EU.
  • USA: consumer fireworks must meet CPSC rules and carry a US transport approval for explosives.
  • Matches: buyers test strike quality, head strength and box friction strips; some markets have national match standards.
How to start small

Begin with safety matches, not fireworks. Partner with a licensed Sivakasi or Kovilpatti match factory, design boxes in the buyer's language, and find a freight forwarder that handles Class 4.1 cargo. West and East African importers buy full containers against LC or advance.

Where new exporters go wrong

  • Shipping fireworks or matches as general cargo — this is dangerous and illegal; lines blacklist the shipper.
  • Assuming domestic fireworks meet foreign rules — EU and US approvals take months and cost money per product.
  • Damp matches that will not strike — pack with moisture barriers for humid tropical routes.

Documents this product needs

Schemes that apply

Sources (8)
  1. Department of Commerce, Export Import Data Bank — India's exports of HS 3604 and 3605 by country, 2025-26
  2. DGFT — Appendix 2T: Export Promotion Councils and the products under each
  3. DGFT — ITC(HS) export policy search (Schedule 2)
  4. CAPEXIL — official site
  5. PESO — Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (licences under the Explosives Rules, 2008)
  6. IMO — International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code
  7. European Commission — Pyrotechnic articles (Directive 2013/29/EU)
  8. US CPSC — Fireworks business guidance (16 CFR Parts 1500 and 1507)

Trade data

Indian fireworks and matches exports in numbers

From the Department of Commerce’s TradeStat, country by country. US$, Indian financial years (April–March).

Exports in 2025-26
US$ 59.8 mn
-1% a year on average, 2020-21 to 2025-26
Change from 2024-25
↑ +15%
US$ 52 mn → US$ 59.8 mn
Buyer countries
98
Average export price
US$ 1.31
per kg · 45,791 tonnes shipped · US$ 1.40 the year before
Benin: US$ 7.7 mnNigeria: US$ 6 mnTanzania: US$ 5.1 mnGhana: US$ 4.6 mnSudan: US$ 4.4 mnSouth Africa: US$ 3.1 mnMozambique: US$ 2.5 mnUnited States of America: US$ 1.7 mnSenegal: US$ 1.6 mnTogo: US$ 1.5 mnGermany: US$ 1.5 mnKenya: US$ 1.1 mnUnited Kingdom: US$ 790kFrance: US$ 720kUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 640kChile: US$ 620kPoland: US$ 570kPeru: US$ 570kOman: US$ 510kBenin: US$ 7.7 mnBeninNigeria: US$ 6 mnTanzania: US$ 5.1 mnTanzaniaGhana: US$ 4.6 mnSudan: US$ 4.4 mnSudanSouth Africa: US$ 3.1 mnSouth AfricaMozambique: US$ 2.5 mnUnited States of America: US$ 1.7 mnUnited States of AmericaSenegal: US$ 1.6 mnSenegalTogo: US$ 1.5 mnGermany: US$ 1.5 mnKenya: US$ 1.1 mnUnited Kingdom: US$ 790kFrance: US$ 720kUnited Arab Emirates: US$ 640kChile: US$ 620kPoland: US$ 570kPeru: US$ 570kOman: US$ 510kIndia
Where Indian fireworks and matches goes — among our 80 countries, 2025-26
2020-21: US$ 63 mn632020-212021-22: US$ 62.6 mn632021-222022-23: US$ 63.2 mn632022-232023-24: US$ 68.3 mn682023-242024-25: US$ 52 mn522024-252025-26: US$ 59.8 mn602025-26
India’s fireworks and matches exports, year by year · US$ million

The price cycle

India’s average export price per kg each year (total value ÷ total quantity). Highest in 2022-23, lowest in 2025-26 — a 16% swing between them. Keep this swing in mind when you quote.

2020-21: US$ 1.31 per kg2021-22: US$ 1.46 per kg2022-23: US$ 1.52 per kg1.522024-25: US$ 1.40 per kg2025-26: US$ 1.31 per kg1.312020-212021-222022-232023-242024-252025-26
Average export price of Indian fireworks and matches · US$ per kg · dotted = year in between not available

What next: a projection from the trend

The past trend carried forward — not a forecast by any authority. Sudden changes in policy, prices or demand are not in it.

2020-21: US$ 63 mn2020-212021-22: US$ 62.6 mn2021-222022-23: US$ 63.2 mn2022-232023-24: US$ 68.3 mn2023-242024-25: US$ 52 mn2024-252025-26: US$ 59.8 mn2025-262026-27: US$ 56.9 mn (US$ 50.2 mn – US$ 64.6 mn)572026-272027-28: US$ 55.8 mn (US$ 48.5 mn – US$ 64.1 mn)562027-28
India’s fireworks and matches exports and projection · hollow bars = projection, line = likely range
By 2027-28: US$ 55.8 mn

Likely range US$ 48.5 mn to US$ 64.1 mn.

Trend
-2.1% a year
Fit (R²)
0.19 — weak, read with care
Based on
6 years of official figures

Method: a straight line through the logarithm of yearly exports (log-linear regression); range = ±1 standard error.

Biggest buyer countries

By value in 2025-26. Change is against 2024-25.

Name2025-26Change
1BeninUS$ 7.7 mn+111.5%
2NigeriaUS$ 6 mn-35.7%
3TanzaniaUS$ 5.1 mn+132.3%
4GhanaUS$ 4.6 mn+11.2%
5SudanUS$ 4.4 mn+613.1%
6South AfricaUS$ 3.1 mn+13.1%
7MozambiqueUS$ 2.5 mn-2.4%
8CameroonUS$ 1.8 mn+94.6%
9United States of AmericaUS$ 1.7 mn-19.7%
10SenegalUS$ 1.6 mn+59.8%
11TogoUS$ 1.5 mn-8.1%
12GermanyUS$ 1.5 mn+33.9%

Where demand is rising and falling

Only countries that buy at least US$ 1 million or 1% of India’s exports of this product. Change from 2024-25 to 2025-26.

High demand

  1. SudanUS$ 610k → US$ 4.4 mn+613.1%
  2. TanzaniaUS$ 2.2 mn → US$ 5.1 mn+132.3%
  3. BeninUS$ 3.7 mn → US$ 7.7 mn+111.5%
  4. CameroonUS$ 920k → US$ 1.8 mn+94.6%
  5. SenegalUS$ 1 mn → US$ 1.6 mn+59.8%
  6. GermanyUS$ 1.1 mn → US$ 1.5 mn+33.9%
  7. AngolaUS$ 800k → US$ 1 mn+25%
  8. South AfricaUS$ 2.7 mn → US$ 3.1 mn+13.1%

Low demand

  1. FranceUS$ 1.2 mn → US$ 720k-37.9%
  2. NigeriaUS$ 9.4 mn → US$ 6 mn-35.7%
  3. United States of AmericaUS$ 2.1 mn → US$ 1.7 mn-19.7%
  4. HaitiUS$ 1.6 mn → US$ 1.4 mn-11.1%

Which forms sell, and at what price

India’s exports by 8-digit tariff line, 2025-26. Average price = total value ÷ total quantity (TradeStat): the average of every shipment on that line, not the price of any one deal.

Tariff lineValue 2025-26ChangeQuantityAverage price
Matches, other than pyrotechnic articles of heading no. 3604 — matches safety3605 00 10US$ 58.9 mn+15.8%45,014 tonnesUS$ 1.31 per kgwas US$ 1.39
Others-of-mtchs excluding pyrtchnc articles of hdng no 36043605 00 90 · Matches, other than pyrotechnic articles of heading no. 3604US$ 670k-8.2%745 tonnesUS$ 0.90 per kgwas US$ 0.96
Pyrotechnic products, fireworks — fireworks3604 10 00US$ 300k+76.5%31 tonnesUS$ 9.57 per kgwas US$ 8.23
Pyrotechnic products, signalling flares, rain rockets, fog signals and other pyrotechnic articles — ship signals very flare3604 90 10US$ 0-100%0.0 tonnes—
Others excluding fireworks and ship signals3604 90 90 · Pyrotechnic products, signalling flares, rain rockets, fog signals and other pyrotechnic articlesUS$ 0-100%0.0 tonnes—

The world market

Each country’s own recorded exports and imports in UN Comtrade, 2023 (the latest year nearly every country has reported).

World imports
US$ 1.55 bn
2023
India among exporters
#6
of 115 countries
India’s share of world exports
4%
US$ 72.4 mn
Left for others to win
US$ 1.74 bn
exported by other countries

Top exporters — your competitors

  1. 1ChinaUS$ 1.04 bn 57.3%
  2. 2GermanyUS$ 117 mn 6.5%
  3. 3NetherlandsUS$ 110 mn 6.1%
  4. 4FranceUS$ 106 mn 5.9%
  5. 5USAUS$ 79.3 mn 4.4%
  6. 6IndiaUS$ 72.4 mn 4%
  7. 7CzechiaUS$ 33.8 mn 1.9%
  8. 8SwedenUS$ 32.1 mn 1.8%
  9. 9SpainUS$ 27.9 mn 1.5%
  10. 10ItalyUS$ 25.7 mn 1.4%

Biggest buyers in the world

  1. 1USAUS$ 521 mn 33.7%
  2. 2GermanyUS$ 163 mn 10.6%
  3. 3ItalyUS$ 80 mn 5.2%
  4. 4NetherlandsUS$ 67.5 mn 4.4%
  5. 5PolandUS$ 40.3 mn 2.6%
  6. 6JapanUS$ 36.6 mn 2.4%
  7. 7FranceUS$ 34.2 mn 2.2%
  8. 8United KingdomUS$ 31.2 mn 2%
  9. 9IndonesiaUS$ 25.4 mn 1.6%
  10. 10CanadaUS$ 24.6 mn 1.6%

Opportunity: what these countries buy from the world, and from India

Each country’s own recorded imports in UN Comtrade, latest year it has reported. The long light part of each bar is demand other countries are filling today.

United States of AmericaUS$ 616 mnIndia 0.3% · gap US$ 614 mn
GermanyUS$ 220 mnIndia 0.5% · gap US$ 219 mn
NetherlandsUS$ 87.2 mnIndia 0.1% · gap US$ 87.1 mn
ItalyUS$ 50.1 mnIndia 0% · gap US$ 50.1 mn
JapanUS$ 40.7 mnIndia 0% · gap US$ 40.6 mn
United KingdomUS$ 31.2 mnIndia 1.6% · gap US$ 30.7 mn
FranceUS$ 31.5 mnIndia 4.2% · gap US$ 30.2 mn
MalaysiaUS$ 30 mnIndia 0.1% · gap US$ 29.9 mn
AustraliaUS$ 23.4 mnIndia 0.1% · gap US$ 23.4 mn
CanadaUS$ 22.5 mnIndia 0.8% · gap US$ 22.3 mn

TradeStat’s 2023-24 quantities are double-counted, so that year is left out of the price. Sources: TradeStat — Export Import Data Bank, Department of Commerce · UN Comtrade database (United Nations Statistics Division) · Figures taken 29 October 2026.

Step by step

How to export fireworks and matches

China (Liuyang and nearby areas) makes most of the world's fireworks and dominates exports; India's Sivakasi cluster is very large but sells almost entirely at home, because foreign markets require costly type approvals and few shipping lines accept explosives. Safety matches are different: India is a major exporter, with steady demand in West and East Africa where matches are an everyday product. Competition in matches comes from China, Sweden-linked brands and local African makers. Openings are mainly in safety matches and match boxes in the buyer's brand, and in niche pyrotechnics for licensed importers.

  1. 01Start with matches

    Partner with a licensed match factory; agree box design and count.

  2. 02Register

    IEC, GST LUT and RCMC with CAPEXIL; PESO licences for any fireworks.

  3. 03Check destination rules

    Confirm import permits, standards and labelling with the buyer.

  4. 04Find a DG forwarder

    Book a forwarder and line experienced with Class 4.1 or Class 1 cargo.

  5. 05Pack and declare

    Use approved packaging and file the dangerous-goods declaration.

  6. 06Ship and get paid

    Claim RoDTEP (0.5%) and drawback (1.2%); use LC or advance with new African buyers.

Meet buyers

Trade fairs

Questions

Questions about exporting fireworks and matches

Can I export Diwali crackers?
Only with PESO licences and the destination country's approvals (CE in the EU, CPSC and transport approval in the USA). Most domestic products are not approved abroad.
Are safety matches dangerous goods?
Yes, usually UN 1944, Class 4.1 under the IMDG Code. Declare and pack them correctly.
Who buys Indian matches?
Importers and FMCG distributors in West and East Africa — Benin, Nigeria, Tanzania, Ghana and Sudan led in 2025-26.
Which council covers matches and fireworks?
CAPEXIL, as listed in Appendix 2T.
What incentives apply?
RoDTEP 0.5% and drawback 1.2% of FOB for both matches (3605) and fireworks (3604).
Sources (8)
  1. CAPEXIL — official site
  2. PESO — Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (licences under the Explosives Rules, 2008)
  3. IMO — International Maritime Dangerous Goods (IMDG) Code
  4. European Commission — Pyrotechnic articles (Directive 2013/29/EU)
  5. US CPSC — Fireworks business guidance (16 CFR Parts 1500 and 1507)
  6. NABL — search for accredited testing laboratories
  7. DGFT — Appendix 4R, RoDTEP schedule for DTA exports w.e.f. 10.10.2024 (Notification 32/2024-25); rates continued to 31.12.2026 by Notification 41/2026-27
  8. Gazette of India — Notification 77/2023-Customs (N.T.) dated 20.10.2023: All Industry Rates of duty drawback

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