China’s New Fireworks Standard GB 10631-2025 What It Means for International Buyers
If you import fireworks, display products, or molded tubes from China, May 1, 2026 is a date worth marking on your sourcing calendar.
That is when GB 10631-2025, China’s new mandatory national standard for fireworks safety and quality, officially takes effect. It replaces the old GB 10631-2013 and seven supporting standards, bringing China’s fireworks rules into one unified system.
For international buyers, this is not just a Chinese regulatory update. It affects product specifications, packaging design, export flexibility, inspection criteria, and the way you verify quality with your Chinese supplier.
Here is what you need to know — without the bureaucratic language.
One standard instead of eight
The old system was fragmented. Buyers and factories often had to check multiple standards for different product categories and test methods. That made compliance harder to confirm, especially when sourcing across several suppliers.
GB 10631-2025 consolidates those rules into one standard. For you, that means a clearer reference point when you ask a supplier: “Is this product compliant?”
It also makes it easier to compare quotations. A supplier who truly understands the new standard can tell you exactly which requirements apply to your order — and which ones can be adjusted by contract for export.
What changes for molded tubes?
If you buy molded tubes for combination fireworks, three areas deserve your attention.
1. Wall thickness is now a defect item
Under the new inspection framework, if the wall thickness of a paper or molded tube for combination fireworks is below the specified value, it can be classified as a defect. That means wall thickness is no longer just a production detail — it directly affects whether a batch passes inspection.
A related group standard for molded tubes for combination fireworks gives useful benchmarks. As reference:
For launch holes up to 20 mm in diameter, the minimum wall thickness between holes should be ≥3 mm.
For holes between 20 mm and 30 mm, the minimum should be ≥4 mm.
Edge wall thickness should be ≥5 mm.
Moisture content should be ≤4%, moisture absorption ≤5%, and density between 0.4 and 0.8 g/cm³.
These figures come from the molded tube group standard, not GB 10631-2025 itself. But they are practical reference points when you discuss tube quality with your supplier.
2. Packaging gaps and weight limits are more specific
For consumer combination fireworks, the new standard sets clearer packaging requirements.
If soft padding is added around the product for cushioning and moisture protection, the distance between the innermost tube wall at the outer edge and the inner wall of the carton should be ≤20 mm. The soft padding should fill the carton with no empty gaps.
The distance between the top and bottom of the tubes and the outer wall of the carton — including the carton board — should also be ≤20 mm.
There are also weight limits:
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Transport packaging: ≤30 kg
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Sales packaging: ≤15 kg
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If your current packaging is oversized or under-filled, this is a good time to review it with your supplier before the 2026 deadline.
3. Moisture and density control matter more
Molded tubes are affected by humidity, storage conditions, and raw material consistency. The group standard benchmarks above give you a concrete way to ask your supplier about process control. Do they test moisture? How do they store finished tubes? What is their rejection rate?
These are the questions that separate a commodity supplier from a reliable manufacturing partner.
Export-friendly changes you can use
The new standard includes several provisions that are good news for international buyers.
More flexibility for export orders
GB 10631-2025 introduces export product quality and safety requirements. Importantly, except for key indicators such as category, level, marking, powder weight, and powder type, other technical requirements can be agreed upon by the trading parties in the contract.
In plain terms: core safety and classification rules still apply, but you and your supplier have more room to customize non-critical specifications for your market.
That is a significant advantage if you need products tailored to your brand, your packaging, or your destination country’s preferences.
ISO, US, and EU cross-reference tables
The new standard includes annexes comparing Chinese classifications with ISO, US, and EU standards. This helps exporters and importers map Chinese product categories to the rules they already know.
It will not replace your local import requirements. But it makes conversations with Chinese suppliers more precise — especially when you need to explain how a product should be classified or tested for your market.
Some export-only restrictions are lifted
The new standard removes the “export-only” restriction for smoke-type and friction-type products. It also raises powder limits for professional display products and allows soft padding around consumer combination fireworks.
For buyers, this can mean more product options and fewer artificial barriers when sourcing certain categories.
C1 and C2: a new consumer category to watch
The new standard divides consumer fireworks into C1 and C2 levels. C2 products have smaller powder loads, smaller trajectories, and higher safety and environmental performance. They are defined as products for relatively close-range use — often called “city fireworks” in the industry.
If you sell consumer fireworks in urban markets, this is a trend to watch. It may open opportunities for smaller, lower-impact products that meet stricter local regulations. Molded tube suppliers will need to adapt tube sizes, wall thickness, and materials for this category.
What to ask your Chinese supplier before May 2026
The new standard rewards buyers who ask better questions. Here is a practical checklist:
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Are your products compliant with GB 10631-2025?
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Can you provide wall thickness inspection reports for molded tubes?
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Do your packaging dimensions meet the ≤20 mm gap rule and the 30 kg / 15 kg weight limits?
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Can you produce to US, EU, or ISO standards where they differ from Chinese rules?
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Under the export clause, which specifications can we agree in the contract?
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Can you show how your product classifications map to our destination market?
If a supplier cannot answer these questions clearly, that is a risk signal — not just for compliance, but for consistency and long-term reliability.
The bottom line
GB 10631-2025 is more than a Chinese standard update. It is a signal that China’s fireworks industry is moving toward clearer rules, stronger safety controls, and more export-friendly flexibility.
For international buyers, the opportunity is simple: work with suppliers who understand the new standard and can document it. Molded tubes may look like a simple component, but wall thickness, moisture, packaging, and classification can affect your safety, your compliance, and your brand reputation.
Before May 1, 2026, ask your supplier how they are preparing. The best ones will already have an answer.
Note: GB 10631-2025 is a Chinese mandatory national standard. It does not replace your local import, safety, or labeling requirements. Always verify final compliance with your destination market and a qualified compliance professional.
