"Catha Edulis (Khat)"

Catha Edulis (khat) is a shrub cultivated for its leaves that act as a "stimulant narcotic" when chewed or used as a tea. (See below 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.

Dintricts may detain, without physical examination, 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.

Catha Edulis (Khat)
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

"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)]."

OASIS charge code - DIRECTIONS