Consumer fireworks imports surged 68.5 percent during the pandemic, reaching a peak of 427.8 million pounds in 2022. After returning to pre-pandemic levels in 2023, fireworks imports increased by 22.6 percent in 2024. Meanwhile, display fireworks imports declined to an all-time low in 2021, a 62 percent decrease from 2019, but rebounded to more than 20 million pounds in 2022.
U.S. fireworks companies rely almost entirely on China, which produces 99 percent of consumer fireworks and 90 percent of professional display fireworks, according to the American Pyrotechnics Association. In 2024, China accounted for 98 percent of total fireworks imports to the United States.
In February, consumer fireworks imports increased by 83 percent, compared to the average for that month in previous years. The spike occurred after President Donald Trump imposed an additional 10 percent tariff on imports from China on Feb. 1….