"Accidentally Taken Cold Medicine... Caution When Entering China as Detective Booked"

Korean Embassy Urges Caution During the Week
Check for Prohibited Substances Like Ephedrine Before Importing

Recently, there have been repeated cases where Chinese authorities have conducted forced inspections on some cold medicines carried by Korean nationals entering China due to the inclusion of prohibited ingredients. In response, the Korean Embassy in China has urged Korean nationals entering the country to exercise caution.

According to the Korean Embassy in China on the 4th, there have been cases where cold medicines prescribed in Korea or over-the-counter cold medicines purchased without a prescription were found to contain narcotic substances upon entry into China, resulting in criminal charges. The reason for the charges is that certain ingredients used in cold medicines can be processed slightly to manufacture psychotropic drugs.

China designates cold medicines containing these ingredients as prohibited items. The prohibited ingredients include ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and methylephedrine. Pseudoephedrine is effective in relieving nasal congestion, and methylephedrine is used as an antitussive that dilates the bronchi to suppress coughing.

The Korean Embassy stated, "In China, even small amounts of ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, and methylephedrine can lead to criminal charges, and from the moment one is suspected of possessing prohibited items, they may be detained at a certain location for up to 24 hours and subjected to investigation by customs authorities, causing significant difficulties." They urged Korean nationals entering China to be cautious in advance.

They added, "When carrying medicines into China, verify whether they contain narcotic substances at the time of prescription or purchase, and if it is confirmed that prohibited items are included, do not carry them. If it is absolutely necessary to carry them after consulting with medical professionals, prior notification to Chinese customs and following the required procedures is essential."

In case of any related incidents or accidents, assistance can be obtained by contacting the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Consular Call Center.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.