Precursor/Explosive Chemicals Purchase

Precursor and Explosive-Precursor Chemicals

Precursor chemicals and explosive precursors are hazardous chemicals under strict state control in China. They can be diverted to the illegal manufacture of narcotics and explosives. Purchasing, transferring, storing or using them without authorisation is prohibited.

All purchasing entities and responsible personnel must comply with the Regulations on the Administration of Precursor Chemicals, the Regulations on the Safety Management of Hazardous Chemicals, the Measures for the Public Security Administration of Explosive Precursor Chemicals and other applicable laws, and must standardise every step of the procurement process.

Purchasing qualifications

Precursor chemicals:
Precursor chemicals are classified into Category I, II and III. A purchasing entity must first obtain a Precursor Chemical Purchase Filing Certificate; Category I additionally requires a purchase licence. The certificate is valid only for the entity to which it is issued and may not be lent, altered or reused. Individuals may not purchase Category I or Category II precursor chemicals.

Explosive precursors

The purchasing entity must complete real-name registration as a unit handling explosive precursors, and must buy from suppliers holding the corresponding operating licence, on the basis of its legal qualifications and a statement of intended use. Individuals are prohibited from purchasing explosive precursors.

Core requirement: verify the supplier's qualifications before ordering. Purchase only from licensed enterprises holding a hazardous chemicals business licence. Purchasing from unlicensed vendors or individuals, or through private transactions, is prohibited.

Preparation before purchase

• Confirm the chemical name, specification, quantity and intended use. The stated use must be genuine and lawful; fabricated research or production purposes are prohibited, and the quantity must not exceed the filed amount.
• Submit to the supplier: business licence, identity documents of the legal representative and the person in charge, filing or licensing documents, the safety management system, and a description of the storage site.
• Confirm receiving and storage conditions. The warehouse must meet hazardous chemicals storage requirements and be equipped with security, fire-fighting and spill-response equipment, dual locks, video surveillance and a certified safety officer. Orders must not be placed where these conditions are not met.

Transaction and transport requirements

• Real-name records throughout. Buyer and seller must keep a truthful purchase and sales ledger recording product name, quantity, both parties and transaction date, retained for at least one year.
• Transport must be entrusted to a carrier licensed for dangerous goods. Ordinary express or logistics services must not be used for precursor or explosive-precursor chemicals.
• On receipt, the handler must check name, quantity, packaging and labels (dangerous goods marks), accept the goods on site and record the entry into store, so that records and physical stock agree.

1. Use, storage and waste management

• Operate a dual receipt-and-issue and dual custody system. Record every movement, issue only against actual demand, return remaining chemicals to store, and do not retain them or remove them from the site without authorisation.
• Store separately, away from ignition sources, heat and oxidisers; mixing incompatible materials is prohibited. Warehouses must be ventilated and covered by anti-theft monitoring.
• Waste liquids and residues from laboratory or production use are hazardous waste. They must not be discarded at will, but handed to a licensed hazardous-waste operator, with disposal records kept.

Legal liability

Where precursor or explosive-precursor chemicals are purchased without authorisation or filing, in excess of the filed quantity, or for fabricated purposes, public security and emergency management authorities may order suspension of production or business, confiscate the goods and illegal gains, and impose substantial fines.

Where illegal trading in, or diversion of, precursor or explosive-precursor chemicals constitutes a criminal offence, criminal liability will be pursued in accordance with the law.

In the event of loss, theft or robbery, report immediately to the local public security organ. Concealment or delayed reporting is prohibited.

Note

Before purchasing, consult your local Public Security Bureau - the narcotics control division for precursor chemicals and the public security division for explosive precursors - and the local Emergency Management Bureau, to confirm the filing procedure. All purchase, sales and storage records must be complete and available for inspection by the competent authorities at any time.