What substances are banned in China?
It seems very hard to find out what is legal and what is illegal in China. For everyone interested in Research Chemicals this article might be handy in their quest for Research Chemicals. As it is very hard to find out all this information we like to help you on your hunt for information. To understand what is legal and what is illegal you also need to understand how the global power structures operate. China is part of the United Nations, so all guidelines set by the United Nations also apply to China when it comes down to research chemicals. If the United Nations proposes a ban on certain research chemicals. These chemicals will have their legality adapted accordingly in China.
On the other hand, China also has their own list of banned research chemicals. They ban new products every year. In the case of Bromazolam China acts as a first mover in banning Bromazolam.
What will most likely happen is that the ban will also be applied to the United Nations Controlled Substances lists very soon. As it stands there is no ban in place with the United Nations but this might change soon. In that case there will be a world-wide ban on Bromazolam.
Its very hard to find all the banned substances and research chemicals for China. Even the Chinese we asked in the past for help with this it was impossible to get a complete list. Because we intensively work with China it is important for us to have this information internally available. Since there are more people in this world looking for the same information, we will share the things we have documented so far. Please keep in mind that this information is far from complete and each product needs to be checked individually if it complies with the laws of the land. We used AI to help us compile this information. Even for AI this task is near to impossible but it does let us know it is a total of 510 banned substances. Compiling a list of all of them is not possible by AI yet.
It did provide us with direct links to the United Nations. The United Nations has 2 lists of controlled chemicals. The Green, Red list and the Yellow list. The red list covers all chemicals that can be used as precursors. Most of the chemicals on this list need to have special licenses if they are used for legitimate purposes. The Yellow list contains all banned substances. That are banned by the United Nations. There is also a Green list which covers all psychotropic substances.
To find the most comprehensive and up-to-date list of banned substances under international control by the United Nations, you can refer to the following official resources:
- International Narcotics Control Board (INCB) Yellow List:
- The Yellow List includes all narcotic drugs under international control according to the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. It is regularly updated, with the latest version available as of July 2023.
- Access it here: INCB Yellow List
- INCB Green List:
- This list contains all psychotropic substances under international control as per the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances.
- Access it here: INCB Green List
- INCB Red List:
- The Red List provides details on precursors and chemicals frequently used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances under international control.
- Access it here: INCB Red List
- UNODC Multilingual Dictionary of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances under International Control:
- This dictionary offers detailed chemical information on substances under international control, including their names, synonyms, and trade names.
- Access it here: UNODC Multilingual Dictionary
These sources are maintained by the United Nations and its associated bodies, ensuring they are authoritative and up-to-date. You can download the lists in multiple languages and formats for detailed reference.
As far as China goes all lists also apply to China. Its difficult to cross reference everything what is illegal in China and what is not according to the United Nations. Besides that China also has their own list and they also make suggestions to add things to the United Nations lists.
As far as what we asked AI about China it resulted in the following:
Here is a comprehensive listing of controlled substances banned in China across various categories. This list is not exhaustive but captures many of the key substances under China’s stringent drug laws as of July 2024.
1. Opioids
- Morphine
- Heroin (Diacetylmorphine)
- Fentanyl
- Carfentanil
- Oxycodone
- U-47700
- MT-45
- 4,4′-DMAR (4,4′-Dimethylaminorex)
- Sufentanil
- Remifentanil
2. Synthetic Cannabinoids
- JWH-018
- AM-2201
- AB-FUBINACA
- 5F-ADB (5F-MDMB-PINACA)
- XLR-11
- MMB-CHMINACA
- UR-144
- AKB48
- 5F-PB-22
- THJ-2201
3. Synthetic Cathinones
- Mephedrone (4-MMC)
- Methylone (bk-MDMA)
- Alpha-PVP (α-Pyrrolidinopentiophenone)
- 3-MMC (3-Methylmethcathinone)
- Butylone (bk-MBDB)
- Ethylone (bk-MDEA)
- Dibutylone
- Pentedrone
- N-Ethylhexedrone
- MDPV (Methylenedioxypyrovalerone)
4. Benzodiazepines
- Diazepam (Valium)
- Alprazolam (Xanax)
- Clonazepam (Klonopin)
- Lorazepam (Ativan)
- Flunitrazepam (Rohypnol)
- Etizolam
- Bromazepam
- Temazepam
- Nitrazepam
- Midazolam
5. Hallucinogens
- LSD (Lysergic acid diethylamide)
- Ketamine
- Psilocybin
- DMT (Dimethyltryptamine)
- Mescaline
- 25I-NBOMe
- 25C-NBOMe
- 2C-B (4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine)
- 2C-I
- Salvinorin A
6. New Psychoactive Substances (NPS)
- 4-MeO-PCP
- Methoxetamine (MXE)
- Fluorophenmetrazine (3-FPM)
- 3-MeO-PCE
- 4-Chloro-alpha-PVP
- 5-MeO-DALT
- 5-MeO-MiPT
- 5-Methoxy-α-methyltryptamine (5-MeO-AMT)
- ADB-FUBINACA
- ADB-PINACA
7. Amphetamines and Related Compounds
- Amphetamine
- Methamphetamine
- MDMA (Ecstasy)
- MDA (3,4-Methylenedioxyamphetamine)
- PMA (Paramethoxyamphetamine)
- PMMA (Paramethoxymethamphetamine)
- Cathine
- Fenethylline
- Methcathinone
- Methylphenidate (Ritalin)
8. Barbiturates
- Phenobarbital
- Amobarbital
- Pentobarbital
- Secobarbital
- Butalbital
- Thiopental
- Barbital
- Methohexital
- Allobarbital
9. Anabolic Steroids
- Testosterone
- Nandrolone
- Stanozolol
- Trenbolone
- Methandienone (Dianabol)
- Oxandrolone
- Boldenone
- Drostanolone
- Oxymetholone
- Methyltestosterone
10. Precursor Chemicals
- Ephedrine
- Pseudoephedrine
- Safrole
- Acetic anhydride
- Phenylacetic acid
- Piperonal
- Potassium permanganate
- Ergometrine
- Lysergic acid
- N-Acetylanthranilic acid
11. GHB and Related Substances
- GHB (Gamma-hydroxybutyric acid)
- GBL (Gamma-butyrolactone)
- 1,4-Butanediol
- Sodium oxybate
- Gamma-hydroxyvaleric acid (GHV)
12. Other Controlled Substances
- Tramadol
- Codeine
- Pregabalin
- Gabapentin
- Tapentadol
- Phenazepam
- Modafinil
- Clonidine
- Loperamide
- Dronabinol
13. Fentanyl Analogues (General)
- Acetylfentanyl
- Butyrylfentanyl
- Furanylfentanyl
- Cyclopropylfentanyl
- Acrylfentanyl
- Isobutyrylfentanyl
- Methoxyacetylfentanyl
- Tetrahydrofuranylfentanyl
- Valerylfentanyl
- Ocfentanil
This is a representative list of the types of substances that are controlled in China. If you need a fully detailed list of all 510 substances, you would typically need to access official government documentation or specialized chemical databases that are not publicly available. For legal and enforcement updates, always refer to the most recent publications from Chinese regulatory authorities.
To obtain the official and most up-to-date list of banned substances in China, you can consult the following government sources:
1. National Narcotics Control Commission of China (NNCC)
The NNCC is the primary body responsible for drug control and enforcement in China. They regularly publish updates on controlled substances, including narcotics, psychotropic substances, and precursor chemicals.
Website: [NNCC Official Site](http://www.nncc626.com/) (Note: The website is primarily in Chinese)
2. Ministry of Public Security of the People’s Republic of China
The Ministry of Public Security is involved in the enforcement of drug laws and regulations. They release public notices and documents related to drug control policies, including new additions to the list of controlled substances.
Website: [Ministry of Public Security](http://www.mps.gov.cn/) (Also primarily in Chinese)
3. National Medical Products Administration (NMPA)
The NMPA oversees the regulation of pharmaceuticals and chemicals in China. They publish lists of controlled substances and provide updates on newly banned substances, particularly those classified as New Psychoactive Substances (NPS).
Website: [NMPA Official Site](https://www.nmpa.gov.cn/) (Chinese language)
4. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC)
While not a Chinese government source, the UNODC provides international reports and publications that often include detailed information on China’s drug control measures. They work closely with national governments to monitor and report on controlled substances globally.
Website:[UNODC](https://www.unodc.org/)
5. Official Gazette or Notices
The Chinese government often publishes detailed lists of controlled substances in the form of official gazettes or public notices, which can be accessed through government portals or legal information websites.
6. Legal Databases
China Law Info (北大法律信息网): This is a comprehensive legal information database that includes statutes, regulations, and notices related to drug control in China. Access may require a subscription.
Website: [China Law Info](http://www.pkulaw.cn/)
For official documents and regulations, it’s crucial to use these government sources, as they provide the authoritative and legally binding information on controlled substances in China.