Is Ephedrine legal in Oman?

Legal status

Regulated as a chemical PRECURSOR (1988 UN Convention Table I — a methamphetamine precursor), NOT as a scheduled narcotic; a precursor under Royal Decree 17/99 (amended RD 24/2023); a restricted medicine (MOH Drug Safety Centre).

Consequences if caught

No confirmed capital exposure — Art. 43's death/life tier is for trafficking/production of narcotic/psychotropic drugs; ephedrine is controlled as a precursor. Unlicensed handling: imprisonment + fines.

If prescribed or medical

Also a pharmacy/prescription decongestant-bronchodilator medicine subject to sales limits; carry documentation for a personal supply.

Documentation

All drugs (heroin — the most-seized — cocaine, methamphetamine, cannabis) are prohibited in Oman under the Law on Combating Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances (Royal Decree 17/99, in force 6 April 1999, amended by Royal Decree 34/2015 and Royal Decree 24/2023); there is no medical cannabis. The death penalty (Art 43) applies as death OR life plus a fine over OMR 25,000 for dealers, peddlers and smugglers; death for anyone connected to international drug-trafficking gangs; and death OR life for producing, importing or exporting. The 2015 amendment removed the prior 50 kg quantity threshold, so the death penalty is no longer tied to a specified quantity — there is no fixed statutory quantity (discretionary). Possession or use is criminal: refusing a sample for abuse detection draws 3 years plus an OMR 1,000 fine, and providing or channeling drugs to users draws 10 years plus an OMR 15,000 fine (Art 44/4). Expatriates face deportation. [retained; death sentences handed down; no fixed quantity threshold since 2015] Death sentences have been handed down for drugs (about 5 drug death verdicts in the 15 years to roughly 2015), a real applied penalty though execution numbers are low. Carry any controlled medicine with its prescription and confirm requirements with your embassy before travel.

Drug laws and enforcement change and vary within a country. This is not legal advice. Always confirm with Oman’s embassy or official drug authority before traveling; penalties can be severe, including imprisonment.