Is Codeine legal in China?
- Legal status
- Codeine is a scheduled narcotic in China; low-dose codeine sits below the large-quantity capital tier of Criminal Law Art. 347 (which reaches death for morphine 100 g or more, or opium 1,000 g or more). Codeine-containing cough preparations are controlled and were tightened after widespread misuse.
- Consequences if caught
- Unauthorised supply is prosecuted under Art. 347 (graduated by quantity); large-quantity narcotic trafficking is death-eligible, but low-dose codeine is below that tier.
- If prescribed or medical
- Dispensed as a controlled prescription medicine; codeine cough preparations are restricted.
- Documentation
- Declare controlled medicines; unlicensed import is treated as smuggling - carry a prescription in original packaging.
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Court records
We have not yet assessed whether court records are publicly available for this jurisdiction.
Other substances confirmed in China
Same substance, other countries
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
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