China has never exported fentanyl-related drugs to North America: drug regulator

A spokesperson for China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA) on Wednesday said China has never exported fentanyl-related drugs to North America.

In response to a media inquiry, the spokesperson provided a comprehensive overview of the production, operation, and export management of fentanyl-related substances in China.

The spokesperson noted that in 2024, China exported 12.3 kilograms of fentanyl-related drugs, with shipments mostly going to South Korea, Vietnam, and the Philippines. To date, the country has never exported fentanyl-related drugs to North America.

In 2024, China produced 100 kilograms of fentanyl-based active pharmaceutical ingredients, primarily for domestic medical use and export, according to the spokesperson.

The spokesperson said the fentanyl-related drugs are primarily used in clinical settings for pain relief, noting that non-medical use can lead to abuse and significant public health risks.

China has approved four fentanyl-related drugs for medical use, namely fentanyl, sufentanil, remifentanil, and alfentanil, and granted production rights to three companies for active pharmaceutical ingredients, as well as five others for finished formulations.

The spokesperson emphasized that all fentanyl-related drugs in China are classified as narcotics, and drug regulatory authorities enforce the strictest regulations on their production and distribution.

Production is carried out by designated companies based on demand, and sales occur through fixed channels. The export process is tightly regulated through an approval system, with export permits issued only after the importing country confirms the legitimacy of the trade. The NMPA conducts regular inspections, including surprise checks, to ensure that production complies with regulations.

The spokesperson further noted that the export of fentanyl-related medications is subject to an international verification system. An export permit is issued only after the legality of the trade is confirmed by the competent authorities of the importing country. The NMPA has also organized educational sessions for companies involved in the production, distribution, and export of fentanyl-related drugs to enhance legal compliance.

Looking forward, the NMPA plans to further tighten oversight of fentanyl-like drug production and exports, ensuring that medical demand is met while preventing misuse and illegal distribution, according to the spokesperson.

China has never exported fentanyl-related drugs to North America: drug regulator

China has never exported fentanyl-related drugs to North America: drug regulator

China has never exported fentanyl-related drugs to North America: drug regulator

The Langqi passenger terminal in Fuzhou of east China's Fujian Province officially commenced a new departure tax refund initiative for travelers heading on the "mini three links" route on Tuesday, with streamlined measures boosting the efficiency of tax refunds and speeding up customs clearance procedures.

The "mini three links" refers to direct trade, postal and transport services launched in 2001 between Fujian Province and the Taiwan-administered Kinmen and Matsu islands. It serves as a vital, convenient cross-strait passage for personnel exchanges and economic and trade interactions between the Chinese mainland and the Taiwan region.

At the heart of the upgraded service is an optimized procedure dubbed the "one document, one bag, one code" process, a simple and streamlined model designed to shorten clearance time for outbound passengers.

Under this framework, travelers who make purchases at designated pilot tax refund stores can have their qualified goods consolidated into a single sealed bag, with all corresponding tax refund information integrated into a unique QR code printed on the tax refund application form.

When departing via the Langqi passenger terminal, on-site customs officers only need to scan the QR code to retrieve and verify the details relating to the applicant's tax refund application. Travelers can then get quick customs clearance once the information is confirmed to be accurate, with no requirement to open their sealed shopping bags for repeated inspections.

Departure tax refund services launched at "mini three links" port in Fuzhou