Firecracker boom in Hamburg: Fireworks sales start with records!

Firecracker boom in Hamburg: Fireworks sales start with records!

The countdown in Hamburg is on! From December 29, 2025, fireworks will be available again in the Hanseatic city. Manufacturers are optimistic and expect a sales record. In order to take this trend into account, they have significantly expanded their offering. The anticipation of New Year's Eve is driving up demand for firecrackers and rockets, which is loud NDR looks promising at first glance.

There are also exciting figures from the import sector. From January to September this year, over 42,400 tons of fireworks were imported into Germany. This represents a remarkable increase of 62.6 percent compared to the previous year, as shown destatis.de is to be read. A record value that even exceeds the level before the corona pandemic, when only 29,800 tons were imported.

The influence of China

A significant proportion of these fireworks come from China. In fact, 98 percent of imported products are of Chinese origin, a trend that has been solidifying for two decades. As a result, exports of German fireworks are experiencing significant declines. In the first nine months of 2025, just 671 tons were exported, a decrease of 28.7 percent compared to the previous year. The time reports a clear dominance of imports and the challenges that arise from this.

Safety should not be ignored here: the CE mark is essential to ensure compliance with safety standards, while at the same time Hamburg customs repeatedly seizes illegal firecrackers from Poland. A serious incident in this context occurred recently when a teenager in Niendorf was seriously injured due to improper use of firecrackers. The President of the Doctors is therefore calling for a ban on private firecrackers.

Environmental and animal protection

The debate about fireworks in Germany is also fueled by safety and environmental protection aspects. The Federal Institute for Materials Research and Testing advises not to set off fireworks from the previous year, while animal rights activists point out the negative effects of fireworks on our four-legged friends. The volume and flashes of light not only cause joy, but also panic in many pets.

Speaking of safety: Firecrackers are only permitted on New Year's Eve between 6 p.m. and 1 a.m. and should be avoided near churches, hospitals and retirement homes. Holiday areas such as the Binnenalster and the Rathausmarkt are also subject to complete bans. It remains to be seen how the discussions about possible fireworks bans will develop, supported by the police union.

For those who prefer to watch the spectacle from a safe distance, an official fireworks display will take place on the Chicago Quay in the harbor, where you can watch without any worries. For those who want to do something good, the Diakonie calls for donations under the motto “Bread instead of firecrackers”. In this way, New Year's Eve can be made not only celebratory, but also socially responsible.