By Wayne Richardson, Fireworks Shop Preston — UK fireworks retailer with direct supplier contacts in Liuyang, China.

If you're planning a fireworks display for Bonfire Night, Diwali, New Year or any event in late 2026, this is something you need to know about. Not to panic — but to plan ahead. Here's the full picture, explained honestly, with updates as of 4th June 2026.

What Happened in Liuyang

On 4th May 2026, a devastating explosion occurred at the Huasheng fireworks factory in Liuyang, China. The death toll has now sadly risen to 37 people, with dozens more injured. Our thoughts remain with the families and everyone affected by this terrible tragedy.

I covered the initial story on our YouTube channel as soon as it happened:

Here's my follow-up update with more detail on what's happening on the ground:

Latest Update — 4th June 2026

As of today, 4th June 2026, production in Liuyang has still not restarted.

But it's not just about new production being halted. Finished products that were already manufactured and sitting in warehouses — ready to be shipped before the disaster — are also stuck. Every single one of them is now waiting to go through Quality Inspection and Certification (QIC) before it can leave China.

That means even stock that was made, finished and ready to load onto containers before the explosion cannot move until inspectors have checked and cleared it. Given that Liuyang produces 70% of China's entire fireworks exports, the volume of products waiting for inspection is enormous, and the process takes time.

The situation is actually more serious than simply "factories are closed":

  • No new production happening
  • Existing finished stock held in warehouses pending QIC inspection
  • No confirmed restart date for manufacturing
  • An inspection and certification backlog building up

This is the latest information coming directly from supplier contacts within the industry.

Why Liuyang Matters to Every UK Fireworks Buyer

This isn't just a story about one factory. Here's the scale of what Liuyang means to the global fireworks industry:

  • China controls 85–90% of the entire global fireworks export market
  • Liuyang alone produces around 70% of China's fireworks exports
  • Between 90–98% of all fireworks imported into the UK come from China
  • In 2023 the UK imported around $26 million worth of fireworks — China supplied roughly 90% by value and closer to 98–99% by volume

The UK doesn't manufacture consumer fireworks on any meaningful scale anymore. Almost every rocket, barrage, compound and selection box sold in Britain started life in Liuyang or the surrounding Hunan province. When Liuyang stops, the UK feels it.

What the Chinese Government Has Actually Ordered

Following the explosion, the Chinese government issued an official shutdown covering the entire Hunan fireworks industry. Every factory, wholesaler, retailer, transporter and exporter in Hunan province has been ordered to completely stop operations — no exceptions.

The shutdown runs in three phases:

Phase 1 (5th May — 15th May): Every business stops completely and carries out its own internal safety inspection.

Phase 2 (16th May — 31st May): Government inspectors go in and verify each business. Provincial spot checks carried out.

Phase 3 (From 1st June onwards): Only factories that pass inspection are allowed to restart. No fixed end date — described officially as long-term governance.

Inspectors are specifically targeting: too many workers in dangerous areas, excessive powder or stock storage, making products the factory isn't licensed for, illegal subcontracting, products manufactured under another company's label, and warehouses storing unsafe quantities of fireworks.

The Timing Problem for UK Bonfire Night

For fireworks to be on UK shelves in October, they need to be manufactured in China by June or early July, quality checked and packed, loaded into containers, shipped (6–8 weeks sea freight), cleared through UK customs, and distributed to retailers.

The Chinese fireworks industry already has a natural summer slowdown in July and August — extreme heat makes working with flash powder genuinely dangerous. Factories normally slow from June and shut through July and August before ramping up in September.

This year that shutdown started in early May — two months early — and for far more serious reasons. As of 4th June, production still hasn't restarted. Once July arrives that manufacturing window closes very quickly.

What About American Stock?

The US takes around 35–40% of all Chinese fireworks exports. Their July 4th stock was largely already produced, loaded or on the water before the explosion. America's immediate season is largely protected.

The markets that will feel this most are the autumn and winter export seasons — the UK, Europe and Southeast Asia. Once factories restart they'll face competing demand from US replenishment orders, professional display shells, and UK and European Bonfire Night orders all at once. Production slots will be under pressure from every direction.

What This Means in Practice for UK Buyers

  • Some UK retailers will have significantly reduced stock for Bonfire Night 2026 — particularly those who hadn't confirmed orders before the shutdown
  • Even stock that was ready to ship before the disaster is now delayed — sitting in Chinese warehouses awaiting QIC inspection
  • New products planned for 2026 may be delayed or unavailable
  • Prices may be higher across the industry
  • The retailers most at risk are those who order late

Our Advice — Don't Panic, But Don't Leave It Late

Fireworks will still reach the UK for Bonfire Night 2026 — this is not a total wipeout of supply. But it is a genuine, serious disruption to an already tight calendar.

  • Order earlier than usual this year — don't wait until October
  • Be flexible on specific products — ask us for the best alternative if a line isn't available
  • Contact us directly for larger displays — call 01772 877860
  • Watch our YouTube channel for the latest updates from our contacts in China

We'll Keep You Updated

This is a developing situation. We'll continue updating this blog and our YouTube channel as more information comes through.

Watch our first video: https://youtu.be/wEs1jW30fNE?si=zmuluNhjAAWAWwqI

Watch our latest update: https://youtu.be/qGDvl0XLRyo?si=M-ZNtSb_zo8zrFdp

Subscribe for updates: https://www.youtube.com/@fireworksshopuk

Browse our current stock: https://www.fireworksshop.uk.com/

Call us: 01772 877860