Validating a buyer's licence and identity

If you sell security-sensitive explosives, you must validate the identity and licence of any individual, partnership or corporation that wants to buy the explosives.

This request applies to licences issued under the Explosives Act 1999, not the Weapons Act 1990.

Reporting suspect or unusual buyer requests

If you sell explosives and receive a suspicious request to buy a security-sensitive explosive, you must not proceed with the sale. Immediately give the Chief Inspector of Explosives details of the buyer.

You must do this even when the buyer has identified themselves, but you're still suspicious of the request. This might occur where:

  • the buyer requests a cash sale
  • the amount of explosives they request is unusual compared with normal industry standards
  • the proposed use of the explosive is unusual, such as using blasting explosives for special effects like blowing up a car
  • the proposed location of the proposed use is unusual
  • the buyer holds a particular licence type but wishes to buy a security-sensitive explosive for a purpose and use not allowed under that licence
  • the buyer lacks detailed knowledge of security-sensitive explosives or use of particular security-sensitive explosives.

Restrictions on selling to a new client

Before you sell explosives to a new buyer, you must obtain and record:

  • the buyer's name, address, phone number and any other electronic contact details
  • the buyer's signature, signed in your presence, or a certified copy of a document showing their signature
  • the proposed use of the explosives, signed by the buyer
  • if the buyer claims to be an employee of a licensee
    • written evidence from the licensee that the buyer is an employee of, and is acting for, the licensee
    • the licensee's phone number or other electronic contact details
  • a copy of the original, or a certified copy of, the licence under the Explosives Act or Weapons Act that authorises the buyer to buy the requested explosives
  • a copy of the original, or a certified copy of, documentary evidence confirming the buyer's name and address, (e.g. current driver licence). (This documentary evidence must not appear to have been forged or tampered with, and must include the name, address, signature and photo matching the buyer.)

Once you've obtained this information, make a request to the Chief Inspector of Explosives to validate the buyer's identity and licence under the Explosives Act. Use the approved form, E120 - Request for validation of explosive licence (PDF, 385KB) and include copies of the documents obtained above.

You'll need to wait for written notice that the Chief Inspector of Explosives has satisfactorily validated the buyer's identity and licence before you can supply any explosive to them.

Note: You don't have to make this request to the Chief Inspector for sales of propellant powders to buyers licensed under the Weapons Act to use firearms. The Chief Inspector will validate only licences issued under the Explosives Act 1999. However, you'll still need to obtain and record the information in the list above.

Before selling explosives to an existing buyer or client

Before you sell explosives to an existing buyer or client, ensure that you've previously validated their identity and licence with the Chief Inspector of Explosives under the Explosives Act. This doesn't apply to buyers with licences to use firearms under the Weapons Act.

If a licence under the Explosives Act expires or the Chief Inspector tells you that a licence has been cancelled or suspended, you must not sell explosives to the buyer until their new licence has been validated and records updated.

Selling to employees of licensees

If the buyer claims to be an employee of the licensee, and the licensee is an existing client, you must obtain written evidence that they're an employee of, and acting for, the licensee. You'll need this evidence for every employee attempting to buy explosives.

  • Last reviewed: 1 Sep 2017
  • Last updated: 26 Aug 2020