Request a Demo
Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid primarily used to treat severe pain in patients with chronic conditions or those recovering from surgery. Unfortunately, it is frequently mixed with other illicit drugs, often without users' knowledge, leading to a surge in overdose deaths. A mere two-milligram dose of fentanyl can be lethal. The US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reported that over 74,000 Americans died in 2023 because of taking drug mixtures containing fentanyl. The US considers China to be the primary source of precursor chemicals for fentanyl production. Therefore, the US President Donald Trump is imposing additional tariffs on China, Mexico, and Canada to pressure these countries to curb the flow of the illicit drugs into the US.
A Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson, Mr. Lin Jian, pointed out on the press that, “The root cause of the fentanyl issue lies in the United States itself. The US imposition of additional tariffs on Chinese imports citing the fentanyl issue as an excuse is mistargeted.” To provide a comprehensive understanding of China's position, measures, and progress in controlling fentanyl-related substances, China’s State Council Information Office released a white paper titled Controlling Fentanyl-Related Substances – China's Contribution on March 4, 2025.
This white paper emphasizes China’s commitment to enhancing international cooperation on rigorous control of fentanyl-related substances and their precursors. It also states that China has achieved notable successes in in-depth cooperation with countries concerned, including the US, in addressing fentanyl problems. A senior official of the Office of China National Narcotics Control Commission (NNCC) recently stressed in a statement regarding the white paper that, "China has rigorously enforced laws against criminal activities related to fentanyl and its precursors. Since implementing comprehensive controls on fentanyl-related substances, the country has not identified any new cases of smuggling or selling these substances internationally."
ChemLinked summarizes the below highlights of the white paper on China’s control of fentanyl-related substances.
Legal basis and regulatory status
In terms of legislation, China earnestly fulfills its obligations under the United Nations drug control conventions, establishing and improving its anti-drug legal system. In China, strict control is implemented over fentanyl-related substances and their precursor chemicals. The fentanyl-related substances designated by the United Nations have been timely regulated under domestic control (see table below).
Before May 2019, China has scheduled a total of 25 types of fentanyl-related substances in the Catalogue of Narcotic Drugs, the Supplementary List of Controlled Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances with Non-medical Use, and the Catalogue and Classification of Precursor Chemicals, separately. On April 1, 2019, China introduced the concept of “related substances” and provided an accurate and scientific legal definition of fentanyl-related substances, which covers all types that require scheduling in the control list. Following this concept took effect on May 1, 2019, China took the lead globally in classifying all fentanyl-related substances under regulation, fully demonstrating its commitment to participating in global drug issue governance.
In China, five fentanyl precursors that were on the United Nations control list before 2024 have been covered. A strict approval, permit, and international verification system is in place. Since establishing control over the five precursors, there has been no recorded application for export by Chinese enterprises. Notably, China is now considering scheduling 4-piperidone and tert-butyl 4-oxopiperidine-1-carboxylate (1-boc-4-piperidone) in the control list. Relevant work is underway.
Monitoring and supervision
The China National Narcotics Laboratory serves as the central hub (1), supported by five regional branches (5) and numerous provincial and city-level laboratories (N), forming a "1+5+N" narcotics laboratory network. This network offers comprehensive technical support for the rapid detection, accurate identification, extensive monitoring, and science-based control of fentanyl-related substances. With the support of this network, public security organs have taken strong action against crimes involving fentanyl-related substances in accordance with the law. Since implementing comprehensive control from May 2019, China has not detected any further cases of smuggling or selling fentanyl-related substances abroad.
In response to illegal online postings of sales information for fentanyl-related substances and their precursors, the Office of China NNCC, alongside relevant authorities, has urged chemical industry online platforms to implement measures such as real-name user registration, approval of postings, online information monitoring, and reporting of harmful content. Public security organs have intensified efforts to regulate and clean up online information regarding these substances. As of June 2024, over 140,000 illegal advertisements have been blocked or removed, and 14 online platforms were ordered to take corrective action or shut down.
The white paper states that China will continue to diligently fulfill its international drug control obligations, actively engage in international drug control affairs, firmly uphold the existing international drug control system, and comprehensively promote global cooperation in addressing drug issues.
