Precursor chemical import and export authorisation wallchart (accessible)
Updated 30 September 2026
Applies to England and Wales
© Crown copyright 2026
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Licences issued pursuant to EU Regulation 111/2005 (as amended by The Law Enforcement and Security (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019 [GB only] and the Controlled Drugs (Drug Precursors) (Amendment and Revocation) Regulations 2026 (GB only).
Since from 1 January 2021 GB-Northern Ireland and GB-EU Member State trade (and vice versa in both cases) has been subject to the requirements in this table. All applications for GB-NI and NI-GB trade must be made to the Home Office. Both importer and exporter must separately apply for a licence, where needed, according to this table.
Table 1 UN (Vienna) 1988 Convention
Category 1 Drug Precursor Chemicals
- All substances
- Drug precursor chemicals: category and CN codes
Exporting
Individual consignment authorisation required for exports to all countries.
Pre-Export Notifications (PEN) required (allow at least 17 working days processing time) for export to all countries.
Importing
Individual consignment authorisation required for imports from all countries.
Category 2A-Drug Precursor Chemicals
- Acetic Anhydride
- Red Phosphorous
Exporting
Individual consignment authorisation required for exports to all countries.
Pre-Export Notifications (PEN) required (allow at least 17 working days processing time) for export to all countries.
Importing
Authorisation not required.
Category 2B Drug Precursor Chemicals
- Phenylacetic Acid
- Potassium Permanganate
Exporting
Individual consignment authorisation required for exports to all countries.
Pre-Export Notifications (PEN) required (allow at least 17 working days processing time) for export to all countries.
Importing
Authorisation not required.
Table 2 UN (Vienna) 1988 Convention
Category 2B Drug Precursor Chemicals
- Anthranilic Acid
- Piperidine
Exporting
Individual consignment authorisation required for exports to all countries.
Pre-Export Notifications (PEN) required (allow at least 17 working days processing time) for export to all countries, with the following exceptions:
- China (Anthranilic Acid only)
- Indonesia (Anthranilic Acid only)
- South Africa (Anthranilic Acid only)
- Thailand (Anthranilic Acid only)
- USA (Piperidine only)
Importing
Authorisation not required.
Category 3 Drug Precursor Chemicals
- Acetone
- Ethyl Ether
- Methyl Ethyl Ketone (MEK)
- Toluene
Exporting
Individual consignment authorisation required for exports to:
- Afghanistan
- Antigua & Barbuda
- Argentina
- Australia
- Benin
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Canada
- Cayman Islands
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- Egypt
- El Salvador
- Ethiopia
- Ghana
- Guatemala
- Haiti
- Honduras
- India
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Lebanon
- Madagascar
- Malaysia
- Maldives
- Mexico
- Nigeria
- Oman
- Pakistan
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Philippines
- Republic of Korea
- Republic of Moldova
- Russian Federation
- Saudi Arabia
- Tajikistan
- Turkey
- United Arab Emirates
- United Republic of Tanzania
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
Pre-Export Notifications (PEN) required (allow at least 17 working days processing time) for export to the countries listed above.
Importing
Authorisation not required.
Category 3 Drug Precursor Chemicals
- Hydrochloric Acid
- Sulphuric Acid
Exporting
Individual consignment authorisation required for exports to:
- Bolivia
- Chile
- Colombia
- Ecuador
- Peru
- Russian Federation
- Turkey
- Venezuela
Pre-Export Notifications (PEN) required (allow at least 17 working days processing time) for export to the countries listed above.
Importing
Authorisation not required
Category 4 Drug Precursor Chemical Preparations
- Ephedrine (Medicinal preparations)
- Pseudoephedrine (Medicinal preparations)
Exporting
Individual consignment authorisation required for exports to all countries.
Pre-Export Notifications (PEN) required (allow at least 17 working days processing time) for export to all countries.
Importing
Authorisation not required.
Published September 2026.
This chart is a general guide only and should not be taken as a replacement for the relevant regulations and guidelines. For enquiries please email dflu.ie@homeoffice.gov.uk.