Armin Rolfink, president of the General Customs Directorate, has urgently warned against using illegal fireworks ahead of the new year. Such pyrotechnics can cause severe injuries and lead to criminal proceedings. In 2024 alone, customs seized more than seven tons of illegal goods.
Armin Rolfink, president of the General Customs Directorate, warned in an interview with the RedaktionsNetzwerk Deutschland (RND) about the dangers of illegal fireworks. "Unauthorized fireworks can become a serious hazard and cause severe, sometimes permanent injuries," he said. Customs consistently confiscates such products at border controls and in package shipments.
The figures highlight the growing issue: In 2024, customs seized more than seven tons of unauthorized pyrotechnics – a record that far exceeds the amounts from previous years. In 2023, it was around 500 kilograms, in 2022 slightly more than 300 kilograms, and in 2021 about 2.3 tons. This is supplemented by numerous police seizures across Germany.
Importing such fireworks from abroad is punishable. "The import of unauthorized fireworks bodies from abroad is prohibited and leads to the initiation of criminal proceedings against the responsible person," Rolfink explained. He strongly advises against purchasing fireworks without a CE mark or of unknown origin to ensure a safe new year transition.
The context is the enduring popularity of bangers and fireworks despite debates on bans. Many illegal products come from EU countries and have a stronger explosive effect than permitted variants. In the New Year's Eve night of 2023, heavy explosions from illegal Kugelbomben in Berlin caused a stir; these are banned for private individuals.
