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Many folks would argue that fireworks are as ‘American’ as baseball, blue jeans, and apple pie. They might add that no 4th of July celebration is complete without some rockets. But not every state agrees. In many places, it is illegal for amateurs to buy, possess, and light off fireworks. This is why there’s a federal law against transporting fireworks into any state where they are illegal. In fact, only one state has laws allowing firework transport outside its borders.

The experts at the Find Law website warn against driving fireworks across state lines. This is because most states that prohibit buying and/or lighting off certain types of fireworks also have laws against possessing them. So you absolutely could get in trouble for just having them in your trunk. The old, “They’re for a friend” excuse won’t help you much.

To make matters worse, you’ll be breaking a federal law. That’s because 18 U.S.C. § 836 prohibits transporting fireworks into a state where it is illegal to either sell or use those fireworks. The good news is that the law specifies you can’t be imprisoned for more than one year for breaking it.

The cardboard husks of spent fireworks laying on the ground.
Spent fireworks | SKatzenberger via iStockPhoto

In fact, the only state that specifies how you can transport fireworks across its borders is Ohio. According to its laws, you can buy fireworks in Ohio and then drive elsewhere with them. This may be because fireworks of some kind are legal in all the surrounding states (though specifics vary). You do, however, need to get these fireworks out of Ohio and into a neighboring state within 48 hours of purchasing them–if you are going to transport them out of the state at all. Obviously, if you were to buy fireworks in Ohio and drive them to somewhere they were illegal, the federal law against transporting them would supersede Ohio law.

So there you have it, transporting fireworks into a state where they are illegal is serious business. You’d be breaking local and federal laws. And if authorities will be checking for fireworks any time of year, it’s during the summer leading up to the fourth. So if fireworks are illegal in your state, maybe find a professional show to watch on Independence day, instead of staging your own.

Next, read why you should never store fireworks in your car, or learn more about why fireworks are popping up in states where they are illegal in the video below:

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Staff Writer

Henry Cesari

Henry Cesari joined MotorBiscuit in 2021 and brings his deep interest in vintage cars, trucks, and motorcycles to the site. Having restored his first classic car at just 16 years old, Henry has wrenched on everything from overland campers to Japanese motorcycles and even pre-war Bugattis. Henry is also an avid attendee at local car shows and genuinely enjoys connecting with fellow auto enthusiasts.

Henry earned a Bachelor’s in Anthropology and English from the University of Vermont. He has since incorporated his love of the written word with his admiration of classic cars. While Henry is interested in vintage cars, he believes the golden age of cars is yet to come. He is confident journalists will play an important role in this revolution by exposing the industry as it is now and envisioning its possible future.