From Liuyang to Your Backyard: A 2026 Update on Where Fireworks Come From

November 4, 2026 · Franciscan Fireworks

Ever wonder how that cake you lit last New Year's Eve got to Indiana? Almost every firework sold in America starts its life halfway around the world in China, and 2026 has been one of the most eventful years that supply chain has ever seen. Here's a friendly, plain-English look at what's been happening and what it means for your next celebration.

China makes nearly all of them

According to a joint statement from the American Pyrotechnics Association (APA) and the National Fireworks Association (NFA), 99% of consumer fireworks imported into the U.S. come from China. Between 2022 and 2023, close to 16,000 shipping containers of fireworks entered the country, and fewer than 100 of them came from anywhere else. America simply doesn't have the raw materials, labor force or regulatory setup to make consumer fireworks at scale.

The heart of that industry is Liuyang, in China's Hunan province, often called the fireworks capital of the world. China's Xinhua news agency reports that Liuyang is home to more than 400 fireworks makers, with 2025 output topping 50 billion yuan (about $7.3 billion), and that the city accounts for roughly 70% of China's fireworks exports.

A tragic spring and a safety overhaul

On May 4, 2026, an explosion at a fireworks factory in Liuyang killed 26 people and injured 61, as reported by Reuters and China Daily. Authorities immediately suspended production at every fireworks factory in Hunan for a full safety overhaul. Our hearts go out to the families and workers affected.

Later that month, Hunan's emergency management department published strict conditions for reopening: upgraded safety equipment, 24-hour video monitoring, licensed and fully counted staff, and tightly tracked supplies of black powder and fuse. In June, the provincial legislature followed with new permanent safety rules and tougher penalties for factories that overload workshops or exceed their approved limits.

For American shoppers, the takeaway is that the factories making our products are now held to stricter safety standards. Timing also matters. One Liuyang sales director told the South China Morning Post that her company typically starts production for U.S. customers in November for delivery by June. That means the 2027 Fourth of July season is being manufactured right now.

Tariffs: still here, but lower than a year ago

Tariffs have been a roller coaster for our industry. In November 2025, the NFA reported Chinese consumer fireworks (class 1.4G) carried a combined tariff of 25.3%. Since then, a lot has changed:

February 20, 2026: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) does not authorize tariffs, striking down the so-called reciprocal and fentanyl tariffs. Other tariffs, like Section 301 duties, were not affected.
July 24, 2026: A new 12.5% Section 301 tariff on goods from China took effect.
Today: Based on the current U.S. tariff schedule, consumer fireworks from China pay about 17.8% in duties (a 5.3% base rate plus that 12.5%). Display fireworks pay about 14.9%.

That's noticeably lower than last year, though the new 12.5% tariff is still being challenged, and things can change quickly. The bigger U.S.-China trade truce, first struck in Busan in October 2025, was set to expire on November 10. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced it will be extended to January 10, 2027, so there's at least a little more breathing room while negotiations continue.

What a record year looked like

Despite all of that, 2026 was a big year for celebrating. Ahead of America's 250th birthday, Forbes reported that the industry anticipated a record $2.5 billion in consumer sales, with the APA's executive director, Julie L. Heckman, predicting a "blockbuster year." Fireworks remain a deeply American tradition, even if they're made overseas.

What this means for you

We keep a close eye on all of this so you don't have to. A few practical tips:

Shop early for New Year's Eve. What's on our shelves now is what's available for the holiday, since new production won't arrive until spring.
Plan ahead for the Fourth. Orders for summer 2027 are being placed and built now, and we're working hard to bring in great products for next season.
Look for quality. Stricter factory rules and U.S. safety testing mean better, more consistent products.

Our Columbia City store at 109 Mulberry St. is open by appointment. Just text us at 260-229-2696 (texting is best) to set up a time. Our Warsaw store at 2222 E. Winona Ave. is closed for the season and will reopen in April 2027.

Thank you

Through every tariff headline and shipping delay, the thing that keeps us going is you. We're so grateful for every family and neighbor who celebrates with us, and we're looking forward to announcing ways we plan to give back to our community in 2027. Stay tuned!

Sources:

Franciscan Fireworks

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