Import and export of precursors

Precursors are chemicals that can be used in the illicit manufacture of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances. These substances also have a number of legitimate uses. Hence, these substances are regulated so as to prevent their diversion for illicit manufacture of drugs. The controls on imports and exports of precursors in India are as follows:

Precursors which are notified as ‘controlled substances’ under the NDPS Act:
These include acetic anhydride, N-acetyl anthranilic acid, anthranilic acid, ephedrine and pseudoephedrine. Anyone who imports or exports any of these five precursors have to maintain records and file quarterly returns with the Narcotics Control Bureau as per the NDPS (Regulation of Controlled Substances) Order, 1993.

Precursors whose import is restricted:
pseudoephedrine. An import licence is required from the Director General of Foreign Trade to import any of these precursors.

Precursors whose export requires a No Objection Certificate from the Narcotics Commissioner:
Acetic anhydride, ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, methyl ethyl ketone, 3,4-methylenedioxyphenyl-2- propanone, 1-phenyl-2- propanone and potassium permanganate. None of these seven precursors can be exported without taking obtaining an NOC from the Narcotics Commissioner, Gwalior.