China's National Narcotics Control Commission Issues Important Notice: Beware of These 8 Chemicals Being Diverted for Drug Production

To prevent the loss or diversion of eight chemicals—including (2-Bromoethyl)benzene—for the manufacture of drugs, China's National Narcotics Control Commission issued a public notice on May 22: the "Warning Notice on Preventing Eight Chemicals from Being Diverted into Illicit Channels for Drug Production."

The notice specifies the CAS numbers and customs commodity codes of the eight chemicals. It reminds relevant enterprises and individuals in China to strictly comply with the requirements set forth in the commission's previous warning notices issued in August 2019, November 2023, and November 2025 when engaging in business activities involving these chemicals. All parties should enhance their legal awareness and ensure compliance with both domestic and international laws and regulations when conducting related operations and export trade.

Priority shall be given to preventing the following eight chemicals from entering illicit channels:

1. (2-Bromoethyl)benzene
CAS No.: 103-63-9
Customs commodity code: 2903999090

2. (2-Chloroethyl)benzene
CAS No.: 622-24-2
Customs commodity code: 2903999090

3. Propionyl chloride
CAS No.: 79-03-8
Customs commodity code: 2915900016

4. Benzaldehyde
CAS No.: 100-52-7
Customs commodity code: 2912210000

5. Benzyl chloride
CAS No.: 100-44-7
Customs commodity code: 2903999090

6. Methylamine
CAS No.: 74-89-5 (methylamine), 593-51-1 (methylamine hydrochloride)
Customs commodity codes: 2921110040 (methylamine), 2921110030 (methylamine salts)

7. Benzyl alcohol
CAS No.: 100-51-6
Customs commodity code: 2906210000

8. N-Methylformamide
English name: N-Methylformamide
CAS No.: 123-39-7
Customs commodity code: 2924199090