Fireworks Are a Booming Enterprise. However Will Tariffs Put a Damper on Issues?

For thousands and thousands of Individuals, 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 strains—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 Business

Fireworks are huge enterprise within the U.S. In accordance with the American Pyrotechnics Affiliation (APA), fireworks legally bought to shoppers 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 in regards to the affect of tariffs on imported items from China, the place 99% of client fireworks bought within the U.S. are made, it stated in a latest press launch. Tariffs “are compounding present price pressures and will have an effect on future entry to inexpensive fireworks, the APA stated.

APA Govt Director Julie Heckman instructed Investopedia that 2026—the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence—can 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 stated in a latest press launch urging a tariff exemption for the trade.

‘Do not Be That Man’

Within the meantime, there are extra urgent considerations: the protection 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 just lately launched an animated video collection referred to 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 Individuals had been handled for fireworks-related accidents final 12 months, in accordance with the Shopper Product Security Fee; eleven had been killed. That could be an inducement to take some recommendation from Homer, provided in an outdated “Simpsons“ episode: Stand again whilst you have a good time freedom.