IA#66-23, -----2/9/93 Revised
TYPE OF ALERT: Automatic Detention
PRODUCT : Catha Edulis (Khat)
PRODUCT CODE : 66B--99
HARMONIZED
CODE : 1302
PROBLEM : Inadequate directions/warnings (DRDW)
PAC FOR
COLLECTION : 56008H
COUNTRY : All
MANUFACTURER/
SHIPPER : All
MANUFACTURER/
SHIPPER I.D.#: N/A
IMPORTER'S
I.D. # : N/A
CHARGE : "The article is subject to refusal of admission
pursuant to Section 801(a)(3) in that it appears
its labeling fails to bear adequate directions for
use [Misbranding, Section 502(f)(1)]."
RECOMMENDING
OFFICE : Division of Import Operations & Policy, HFC-170
REASON FOR
ALERT : Catha Edulis (khat) is a shrub cultivated for its
leaves that act as a "stimulant narcotic" when
chewed or used as a tea. (See Attachment for
scientific names and other terms used for khat.)
Its leaves and young shoots are used by chewing,
by brewing as a tea, or by smoking in water pipes
according to the Drug Enforcement Administration)
to get a stimulant effect, caused by the compound
cathinone, (which is similar to that of
amphetamine and its congeners).
In 1988, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
added cathine ((+)- norpseudoephedrine) to
schedule IV, as a stimulant having an effect on
the central nervous system. DEA received comments
regarding the proposed control of cathine and its
impact on the use of the plant, khat. Following a
review of the information available on the
chemical constituents found in khat, it was
determined that khat would be subject to the same
Schedule IV controls as cathine, one of the
psychoactive substances found in khat. Such a
position is consistent with the controls imposed
on many other plants containing controlled
psychoactive substances. (Federal Register, Vol.
53, May 17, 1988, pp 17459).
Review of detention data for FY 90-92, shows
detentions of Catha Edulis (khat) continue to be
made on a limited basis (1 per year). However,
due to the number of scientific and common names
under which importation of the substance may be
attempted, the import alert remains in effect.
INSTRUCTIONS : Detain all entries of khat.
Alert your local Customs Office and USDA of FDA's
continued interest in preventing entry of khat so
that we are informed of all such entries. Provide
Customs with a list of the various names under
which this item might be declared when entered and
request that movement under bond be denied because
of possible distribution. Inform both Customs and
USDA that khat may be falsely declared as
Molokheya (Corchorus olitorius), a permitted
Egyptian vegetable also known as tossa jute and
jew's mallow.
PRIORITIZATION
GUIDANCE : N/A
FOI : No purging is required.
KEYWORDS : Khat, Cathine, Catha Edulis, Molokheya, tossa
jute, Jew's mallow, Abyssimian tea
PREPARED BY : Linda A. Wisniowski, DIOP, 301-443-6553.
Attachment - Import Alert #66-23
Other Names and Terms For Khat
Scientific Names or Variances:
Catha edulis, Forskal, Catha Forskalii, Catha glauca comb. nov.,
Celestrus edulis, Methyscophyllum glaucum.
Common Names or Terms:
Abyssimian tea, African tea, Arabian tea, Bushman's tea, cat,
catha, chafta, chat, ciat, crafta, djimma, four of paradise,
ikwa, ischott, iubulu, kaad, kafta, kat, khat, la salade, liss,
liruti, mairongi, mandoma, maonj, marongi, mbugula mabwe,
mdimamadzi, meongi, mfeike, mhulu, mira, miraa, mirra, mirungi,
miungi, mlonge, m'mke, msabukinga, masbukinja, msuruti, msuvuti,
msekera, muholo, muhulu, muirungi, mulungi, muraa, musitate,
mutsawari, mutsawhari, mutsawhri, mwandama, mzengo, nangungwe,
ol meraa, ol nerra, qat, quat, salahin, seri, somali tea, tohai,
tohat, tsad, tschad, tschat, tshut, tumayot, waifo, warfi, warfo.
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