Is Amphetamine legal in China?
- Legal status
- Category I psychotropic substance under the Regulation on the Administration of Narcotic and Psychotropic Drugs; sentencing under Criminal Law art. 347 + the 2016 SPC interpretation (amphetamine 'large quantity' = 100 g).
- Consequences if caught
- Personal use handled administratively; trafficking scales by quantity up to life or, at a 'large quantity' (amphetamine ≥100 g), the DEATH PENALTY (Criminal Law art. 347). Amphetamine carries capital exposure.
- If prescribed or medical
- Prescription stimulant via strictly controlled medical channels; carrying it without a local permit/prescription risks arrest.
- Documentation
- Written documentation from a medical institution proving the medicine is necessary; customs verifies the amount against the original prescription and retains a copy (one prescription = one inspection). Psychotropic-drug allowances can be as short as a 3–7 day supply.
- Criminal Law art. 347
- 2016 SPC interpretation (amphetamine ≥100 g capital-eligible)
- english.court.gov.cn
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 →