Precursor chemical checker

Precursor controls in chemical-trade context

China's Ministry of Public Security (MPS) and General Administration of Customs (GACC) jointly enforce two parallel precursor-chemical regimes. The 易制毒 list (23 substances across 3 categories) targets drug-manufacture precursors: ergot alkaloids (LSD), ephedrine and pseudoephedrine (methamphetamine), phenylacetone (P2P, methamphetamine and amphetamine), MDP-2-P (MDMA), safrole and isosafrole (MDMA), acetic anhydride (heroin), and the bulk solvents and reagents that drug labs use. The 易制爆 list (~74 substances) targets improvised-explosive precursors: ammonium nitrate (ANFO), perchlorates, chlorates, peroxides, hexamine (RDX), nitromethane, picric acid, sodium azide, plus dual-use military precursors like ammonium perchlorate (solid rocket propellant) and methylhydrazine (rocket fuel).

For chemical traders, the practical implication is the export-permit lead time. A 易制爆 export needs an MPS permit issued by the Public Security Bureau in the manufacturer's province; the permit application requires a buyer end-use certificate, the buyer's local business licence (or equivalent), and the manufacturer's safety-management certification. Lead time is 4 to 12 weeks depending on province and substance. Booking a vessel before the permit issues is a recipe for storage charges; the cargo cannot leave the warehouse without the permit on file at GACC.

易制毒 Category I has the same lead-time pattern but tighter scrutiny on the buyer. Category II and III are lighter (reporting rather than permit), but the same tracking applies: MPS records every shipper, every buyer, every country, every volume. Sudden order-pattern shifts (new buyer, new country, larger volume) trigger desk audits and sometimes site visits. The compliance answer is to document the trade trail: order, contract, end-use certificate, manufacturing batch, MPS report.

For the import side (cargo arriving in Australia / EU / US), the destination customs authority has its own precursor controls. Acetic anhydride into Australia is controlled under the Drug Precursor Control regime (DSEWPaC); ammonium nitrate is controlled under the Security Sensitive Ammonium Nitrate (SSAN) regime. The chemical-trade compliance file needs both ends in sync.

For the China dangerous-goods catalogue (危险化学品目录, separate regime focused on transport / storage rather than precursor control), see Sourzi /tools/china-trade/hazardous-chemical-catalog-lookup.