If you intend to engage in the business of importing (for sale or distribution or for personal business use) explosive materials, manufacturing (bringing into the United States for sale or distribution) explosive materials or dealing (distributing at wholesale or retail) in explosive materials, you must first apply for and obtain a federal explosives license (FEL) from ATF.
If you do not intend to engage in the business of importing, manufacturing, or distributing explosive materials, but do intend to acquire and use explosive materials for lawful purposes, you must first apply for and obtain either a federal explosives user permit or federal explosives limited permit (FEP) from ATF.
ATF's Federal Explosives Licensing Center (FELC) reviews and acts upon applications for FEL/FEPs, coordinates applicant inspections with the appropriate ATF field offices, performs background checks on all responsible persons and employee possessors, and issues letters of clearance or denial.
Explosives License or Permit Required
Duration of License or Permit