Is 5-MeO-DMT (Bufo / Toad) legal in China?
- Legal status
- 5-MeO-DMT is individually scheduled in China — listed by name (N,N-二甲基-5-甲氧基色胺) in the Supplementary Catalogue to the control list of Non-pharmaceutical Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances, in force from 1 October 2015 and retained in the current consolidated catalogue.
- Consequences if caught
- Manufacture, trafficking, sale and possession are prohibited under the Regulations on the Administration of Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances; drug-trafficking offences carry severe penalties up to life imprisonment or death for large quantities.
- If prescribed or medical
- A non-pharmaceutical controlled substance with no approved medical use in China — not prescribable.
- Documentation
- Added to the 2015 non-pharmaceutical NPS supplementary control catalogue jointly issued by the Ministry of Public Security, NHFPC and CFDA; 5-MeO-DMT among five 5-methoxytryptamines then scheduled.
Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with China’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.
Before you travel
Verify current rules with the destination country’s official drug authority and your own country’s embassy before traveling. Find the destination’s U.S. embassy & official country guidance →
Non-U.S. travelers: check your own government’s travel advisory and embassy.
If you’re detained or arrested abroad
Contact your own country’s embassy or consulate in the destination immediately — not the destination’s authorities. U.S. citizens: contact the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate and the U.S. State Department at +1-202-501-4444 (from abroad). If a U.S. citizen is arrested or detained abroad →
