Delivery time of controlled reference materials requires the careful navigation of governmental agencies of both the country of origin and country of import. Several processes are in place to document the transfer of goods and additional steps are needed if the compound is recognized as an internationally controlled substance.

Timeline for the Export/Import of Controlled Substances

Export Procedures for US-Controlled Substances

When an order is placed for a US-controlled substance, a foreign import certificate or ‘Permit to Import’ must be sent to Cayman’s International US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) Order Processing Center. If the product is not considered a controlled substance in the importing country, then a letter of no objection issued by the appropriate competent national authority must be sent to Cayman. Certification must be made that the substance consigned to the authorized importer will be applied exclusively to medical or scientific use within the country of destination, will not be re-exported from such country, and that there is an actual need for the controlled substance for medical or scientific use within such country. The Permit to Import should have at least 60 days remaining before expiry to allow time to process the paperwork through the next several steps of the process.

The International Narcotic Control Board (INCB) maintains the following lists for compounds under international control: List of Narcotic Drugs Under International Control (‘Yellow List’) and List of Psychotropic Substances Under International Control (‘Green List’). These lists determine the maximum quantity of drug that your country may acquire annually through import and/or export. Prior to applying for an import permit, it would be prudent to check the INCB status of assessments (Narcotic or Psychotropic). This will help you determine if the quantity of compound you plan to order is within your country’s allotment. If the compound is not listed, then an assessment can be made by filling out Form B (Narcotic) or Form B/P (Psychotropic). If your country has exceeded the annual allotment, the DEA will not permit Cayman to export the compound, and supplemental forms may need to be submitted to petition your country for additional quantities.

Once the import permit for an order is received, Cayman will file for an export permit from the DEA. This permit is typically issued within three to four weeks after the permit application is submitted. However, delays can occur if the DEA has not updated its list of scheduled compounds, if the compound is newly scheduled, or if the country of import has exceeded its yearly allotment of that compound. This pause adds an unknown period before the license is granted, and the import permit could expire during the wait if insufficient time is left to acquire the export permit.

Export Procedures for Items Not Controlled in the US

If the compound is not scheduled in the US, the requisite customs import documents must be sent to Cayman so they can accompany the shipment. An export permit is not required in such instances. This is also the case for materials with a US DEA exemption, which are granted to specific compounds in solution.

Shipping

The compound is shipped only when both the import and export permits are in place. Delivery can take place in as little as two to three days depending on the customs arrangements of the importing country.

Summary

While these processes are defined by the United Nations, the details of their implementation differ among countries. Additionally, the control status of drugs among countries is under constant revision. Careful attention is needed to keep up with new control measures or import bans.

If questions arise along this process, contact us at custserv@caymanchem.com

Cayman Chemical Company

Attn: Int’l DEA Order Processing

1180 E Ellsworth Road

Ann Arbor, MI 48108

USA

Phone: 1-734-975-3888