Adderall in China: Amphetamine Ban, Legal Risk and ADHD Plan

Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) is banned in China with no medical exemption. Bring zero supply and plan an alternative before you travel.

Quick reference

Drug class: CNS stimulant
Controlled substance: Amphetamine is a Category I narcotic under China's Narcotics Control Law (2008) and Schedule I of the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. No medical import exemption exists for travellers.
Prescription required: Not applicable. Adderall is not registered for medical use in China and cannot be prescribed, dispensed, or legally imported.
Available locally: Not available. Adderall and Adderall XR are not registered by China's National Medical Products Administration (NMPA). No sibling brand of amphetamine/dextroamphetamine is sold in China.
Storage: Not applicable for China travel. Bring no supply.
Max supply to carry: Zero. Amphetamine-based medications may not be imported into China under any personal-use exemption.
Key document: Not applicable. No import permit pathway exists. Carrying Adderall into China risks criminal prosecution regardless of documentation.
Emergency alternative: Consult your prescriber before departure about switching to a non-amphetamine ADHD medication such as methylphenidate or atomoxetine, both of which have a legal prescribing pathway in China.

Where to find Adderall in China

No pharmacy chain in China
Adderall and Adderall XR are not registered by the NMPA and cannot be legally stocked, dispensed, or sold at any pharmacy in China.
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Adderall in China: what the ban means for your trip

Adderall (amphetamine/dextroamphetamine) is classified as a Category I narcotic under China's Narcotics Control Law. No medical exemption or import permit pathway exists for travellers. Adderall XR and Mydayis, the extended-release sibling brands sharing the same active ingredient, face the identical prohibition. Unlike methylphenidate, which has a limited prescribing pathway in China, no amphetamine-based ADHD medication is registered for medical use in the country.^[1]

This guide explains the legal position, what to prepare before departure, and how to plan your ADHD management for China without amphetamine-based medication.

Medical disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult your prescribing doctor before travelling with medication, particularly regarding supply quantities, storage requirements, and import documentation.

Before you travel

Documentation for travelling to China with Adderall

Because amphetamine is a Category I narcotic with no personal-import exemption in China, there is no documentation that permits you to bring Adderall or Adderall XR across the border. For broader ADHD medication rules and alternative medications that do have a legal pathway, see our ADHD medication guide for China.^[2]

Do not bring Adderall into China

Carrying amphetamine into China, including in original pharmaceutical packaging with a valid foreign prescription, constitutes a narcotics offence under Chinese law. Penalties include detention, deportation, and imprisonment. No doctor's letter or import certificate removes this risk.

Questions to ask your prescriber before you travel

Raise these questions at least 4 to 6 weeks before departure to allow time for any prescription changes.

Is methylphenidate (Concerta, Ritalin) a clinically appropriate alternative for my ADHD profile during my time in China, given that it has a legal prescribing pathway there?
If methylphenidate is appropriate, can you provide a prescription and a translated doctor's letter naming the brand, the active ingredient, the dose, and the duration of treatment?
What quantity of any alternative medication should I bring from home, given that supply outside major Chinese cities can be limited?
If I need to access a psychiatrist or neurologist in China for a medication review, what records and supporting documents should I carry?
How do I reach your practice from China in an emergency, and what is the process for any urgent clinical guidance on my treatment plan?

How much Adderall to bring

Bring none. Adderall and Adderall XR cannot be legally carried into China under any circumstances. If you are travelling for an extended period, speak with your prescriber about transitioning to an alternative medication before departure, allowing sufficient time to establish a stable dose.

At the airport and border

Customs and security with Adderall in China

Chinese customs officers screen for narcotics at all ports of entry, including Beijing Capital International, Shanghai Pudong, and Guangzhou Baiyun airports. Amphetamine is explicitly listed among prohibited narcotic substances in customs declarations. Declaring Adderall at the border does not create a legal pathway for entry; it flags the substance for confiscation and potential prosecution. Do not pack Adderall or Adderall XR in checked luggage, carry-on bags, or pill organisers.^[3]

Declaring Adderall does not protect you

Unlike some countries where declaration and documentation create a legal import pathway, China has no such mechanism for amphetamine. Voluntary disclosure at customs will result in confiscation and may trigger a narcotics investigation. Leave Adderall and Adderall XR at home.

While in country

Adderall availability in China

Adderall and sibling brands in China

Brand	Indication	Formulation	Availability in China
Adderall	ADHD	Mixed amphetamine salts, immediate-release	Not available. Banned as a Category I narcotic. Cannot be imported or prescribed.
Adderall XR	ADHD	Mixed amphetamine salts, extended-release	Not available. Same prohibition as Adderall IR.
Mydayis	ADHD (adults)	Mixed amphetamine salts, triple-bead extended-release	Not available. Not registered by NMPA; amphetamine ban applies.

No amphetamine-based medication, including Adderall, Adderall XR, and Mydayis, is registered with China's National Medical Products Administration. No pharmacy, hospital, or clinic in China can legally dispense amphetamine to any patient, domestic or foreign. This is a fundamental difference from methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta), which is NMPA-registered and can be prescribed by a psychiatrist in China.^[4]

Because Adderall cannot be sourced locally under any circumstances, cost comparisons with sibling brands are not applicable. Any medication sold online or in informal markets claiming to be Adderall in China should be treated as a counterfeit or illegal substance.

Pharmacy phrases for China

“我需要治疗注意缺陷多动障碍的药物。”

I need medication for ADHD.

“阿得拉（苯丙胺）在中国是违禁药物，我知道。请问哪里可以找到精神科医生？”

I know that Adderall (amphetamine) is prohibited in China. Can you direct me to a psychiatrist?

“请问这家医院有精神科门诊吗？我需要评估是否可以使用利他林或专注达。”

Does this hospital have a psychiatry outpatient clinic? I need an assessment to see if Ritalin or Concerta is appropriate for me.

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Switching to a different brand or medication in China

Switching from Adderall to a sibling brand is not possible in China because no amphetamine formulation, including Adderall XR and Mydayis, is available. The only legal ADHD stimulant pathway in China is methylphenidate, sold as Ritalin (methylphenidate IR) and Concerta (methylphenidate ER).

Methylphenidate and amphetamine are different active ingredients with different pharmacological profiles; switching is a clinical decision that must be made by a qualified psychiatrist, not a substitution you should attempt independently. See our Ritalin guide for China for the full prescribing pathway for this methylphenidate alternative.^[5]

Atomoxetine (Strattera) is a non-stimulant alternative that is also available by prescription in China and does not carry the same narcotic classification. Whether it is clinically suitable for you is a question for your prescriber before departure.

Emergencies

What to do if you run out of ADHD medication in China

If you are in China and have run out of a legal alternative medication such as methylphenidate, the correct step is to attend the psychiatry outpatient department of a public tertiary hospital. In Beijing, Peking University Sixth Hospital specialises in psychiatric care and is experienced with ADHD evaluations; in Shanghai, Shanghai Mental Health Center is the principal referral centre. For more healthcare options, see our China travel guide and corresponding city guides.

Call the ambulance number 120 for medical emergencies or 110 for police assistance. If the situation arose because Adderall was confiscated at the border or in-country, contact your nearest embassy or consulate immediately.^[6]

Carry a printed copy of your Nomedic IPS record, which lists your diagnosis, current medications, and prescriber contact details in a format any clinician can read. This record is particularly valuable in a country where language barriers can slow triage.

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Frequently asked questions

Is Adderall legal in China?

Adderall is illegal in China. Amphetamine, the active ingredient in Adderall and Adderall XR, is classified as a Category I narcotic under China's Narcotics Control Law with no medical-use exemption for any patient, domestic or foreign. Possession or importation carries criminal penalties including imprisonment.

Is Adderall available at any pharmacy in China?

No. Adderall, Adderall XR, and Mydayis are not registered by China's National Medical Products Administration and cannot be legally stocked or dispensed at any pharmacy or hospital. Any source claiming to sell Adderall in China is operating illegally, and counterfeit or misrepresented substances carry serious health and legal risks.

What is the difference between Adderall and Adderall XR in China?

Both Adderall (immediate-release) and Adderall XR (extended-release) share the same active ingredient, amphetamine/dextroamphetamine, and both are equally prohibited in China under the same narcotic classification. The formulation difference that matters in other countries is irrelevant here because neither can be legally imported or dispensed.

What ADHD medications are legal to bring into China?

Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) and atomoxetine (Strattera) are both NMPA-registered in China and can be imported as a personal supply with a valid prescription and doctor's letter, subject to quantity limits. Amphetamine-based medications, including all Adderall and Mydayis formulations, cannot be imported under any circumstances. Check our ADHD medication guide for China for the full documentation requirements for methylphenidate.

Can I switch from Adderall to methylphenidate in China if I need ADHD medication?

Methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta) has a legal prescribing pathway in China and is a different active ingredient from amphetamine. Whether switching is clinically appropriate for you depends on your individual ADHD profile and must be decided by a prescribing psychiatrist, not made independently. Discuss this with your prescriber before departure, not after you arrive.

Can I get an ADHD diagnosis and prescription in China as a foreign traveller?

A foreign traveller can attend a psychiatry clinic at a public tertiary hospital in China and be assessed for ADHD. If a psychiatrist determines that methylphenidate is appropriate, a prescription can be issued. The process requires a consultation in Mandarin or through an interpreter, and international health insurance with direct billing simplifies payment significantly. Carrying your existing diagnosis records and a letter from your home prescriber speeds the process.

Related practical guide

10 Things You Must Do Before Travelling Abroad with ADHD Medication

ADHD stimulants are banned outright in some countries and tightly controlled in many others. Here is the practical checklist every traveller needs before setting off.