Key practical points:
• Medicines must be registered and licensed for sale in China; unregistered drugs may be treated as illegal.
• Importing personal medicines in large or unlicensed quantities can face customs and legal trouble.
• Selling fake or expired medicines carries heavy penalties.
• Some psychotropic and medical narcotic drugs are strictly controlled and need a prescription and controls.
• Licensed pharmacies and hospitals are the official channels for obtaining medicines.
• If you bring your own medicine from abroad for personal use, carry a reasonable amount with the prescription and a medical report.
Drug Administration Law · Yalla China
中华人民共和国药品管理法 / Drug Administration Law
Enacted: 1984-09-20 ✅ Effective: 2019-12-01
📝 Overview
A law regulating manufacture, sale and import of medicines and their safety, restricting unregistered drugs.
This is general information only, not legal advice. For your specific case, consult a licensed lawyer.
📜 The law text / key provisions
💬 Practical reading
💬 This is a general reading/opinion for orientation — not the official legal text nor legal advice.
If you take a particular medicine, be aware: not every drug available in your country is registered in China, and bringing large amounts or controlled drugs can cause customs trouble. Travel with a reasonable amount for personal use plus the prescription and a medical report in English. Buy only from licensed pharmacies. General orientation, not legal advice.
📎 Official source
National Medical Products Administration / nmpa.gov.cn
🕒 Updated: 16 March 2026