A number of new psychoactive substances have been added to the list of controlled substances. In 2010 mephedrone was controlled as Class I of Psychotropic substances; BZP, a number of JWH- compounds, Khat, 2C-I, 2C-H, AM-694, AM-2201, MDPV and other NPS were also added to this list in 2013.

On September 29, 2015 the Chinese Drug and Food Administration announced "Administrative Measures on Narcotics and Psychotropic Substances without Medical Use" under which 116 psychoactive substances were placed under control. This decision came into effect on October 1st, 2015. NPS placed under control include six fentanyl analogues (Acetylfentanyl, Butyrfentanyl, β-Hydroxythiofentanyl, 4-Fluorobutyrfentanyl, Isobutyrfentanyl and Ocfentanil); several NBOMe compounds; synthetic cannabinoids such as ABICA, PINACA, APINACA, JWH-compounds; several tryptamines and others. Four other fentanyl analogues, Acrylfentanyl, Carfentanil, Furanylfentanyl and Valerylfentanyl, have been added to the list by an amendment effective as of 1 March 2017.

On April 7, 2016, the Supreme People's Court (SPC) issued a new judicial interpretation document on rules for drug-related convictions and sentencing. According to the document, stricter rules will be applied to people convicted for ketamine by adopting a new threshold hold amount for the drug by half. In addition, 12 new types of illegal drugs to be subject to criminal penalties and lowered the threshold for conviction of illegal use for 33 precursor chemicals. The new rules have been in effect since 11 April 2016.

On 29 August 2018, 32 additional NPS were placed under national control, among these substances were synthetic cathinones, synthetic cannabinoids and two fentanyl analogues (4-FIBF and THF-F) (effective 1 September 2018).