Here we want to address frequent questions about importing fireworks to the USA.
What is the difference between Wholesale, Drop-Ship, and Direct Import?
Wholesale: When you start a fireworks business we recommend that you begin buying wholesale from our dealers across the USA. Wholesale is typically purchases above $3,000 (about 100-200 cases) that offer lower bulk prices. For wholesale you work with the Dominator Dealer, and not with us.
Drop-ship: is similar to wholesale, because the Dominator dealer still handles all of the import formalities with the USA Government agencies (such as CPSC, Customs, DOT, etc.), but the minimum order changes to one Ocean Shipping Container. The entire container is “drop-shipped” direct to your warehouse from China. One container is about 1,000 cartons (So 5-10 times more then the minimum for wholesale). Drop shipping often uses the lower “China factory” price, but the dealer will add a fee to cover their costs of import formalities. For Drop-ship you work with the Dominator Dealer, and not with us.
Direct Factory Import: This is the lowest cost option, but the most complex for you. Direct import means that you are the “legal importer of record” and thus you take all responsibility with the USA Government. Also, for direct import, you will work directly with the Dominator China team, making payment to China, etc. Because all product is manufactured after you order, you must order much further in advance (we recommend 12-18 months in advance). Finally, you can’t hold your product in China, once it is manufactured for you, we need to ship it to you. Often that means receiving product in winter or at an inconvenient time. Payment also needs to be made in advance. For all of these reasons, we recommend that companies be operating at least 2-3 years and have sales of at least 2,000 cartons per year before they begin direct importing.
What do I need to be able to import containers?
You need to make sure you have all local, state, and federal licenses. If you want to import 1.3G items, you will need ATF license. You do not need a FEDERAL license to import consumer 1.4g fireworks. Your company EIN # or your personal Social Security # is needed. You will also need a USA Customs Bond and a USA Customs Broker (for paying the tariffs).
What’s a Customs Broker?
A Customs Broker processes your paperwork with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to allow the container to enter the USA. If you do not have a Customs Broker, we can provide you contact information to them that other importers are already using.
How much can I get on a container?
A container typically holds around 1,000 cases of product. It depends on the type and sizes of the items. The High Cube container holds 68 CBM worth of product.
How many different items can I get on a single container?
We try to limit containers to no more than 40 different items. Warehousing in China is limited in space. The government-controlled loading warehouses are not stacked three rows high of pallets on shelving with fork trucks running around. All products can only be stacked on the floor up to about 12 feet high, so that limits the amount of goods that can be at the loading warehouse. The more skus added, the longer it takes to load, and more logistics and paperwork involved. If ordering off the stock list and paying in advance, exceptions can be made to add more variety.
What is the minimum number of cases per item I can order?
See above that it is 40 different items is the max per container. You can order 10 cases of a fountain, but overall, you will need to average about 50 cases per SKU to fill the container.
When will I receive the container?
It typically takes 50-60 days for it to arrive to your door in the USA after it is loaded. We ship the container as soon as the products that you ordered are manufactured. The more items you order on one container, the longer it takes manufacture all items, so this risks your container being delayed. We occasionally ask customers to be flexible and accept small substitutions to ensure there is no delay for your shipment.
How much is shipping?
As of March 2026, it is about $20,000 in shipping costs per container. The rates are decided month to month. We do not control shipping costs. Shipping is controlled by a small group of shipping companies who hold the logistics licenses for international shipping of fireworks. We do handle the “booking” of shipping for you, but you pay the shipping cost directly. We can also put you in direct contact with the shipping company if you wish.
