⚠ Regulatory + commercial scope noticeWe supply Pakistani wild-harvest ephedra (Ma Huang / 麻黄 / 마황) only to licensed importers in South Korea, Taiwan, and mainland China. Korea and Taiwan are our primary markets. We do not ship ephedra to any other country — including Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Russia, CIS, USA, EU, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or Japan — regardless of any third-party representation about local legality. We require documentation of buyer's TCM / Oriental Medicine licensing status (Korean MFDS, Taiwan TFDA, or Chinese NMPA equivalent) before contract confirmation.
What you'll learn
- Why our three permitted markets — Korea, Taiwan, China
- The three species of ephedra and how to identify Ephedra sinica
- HPLC alkaloid content specifications
- Three commercial grades: thick, thin, white
- Korea import procedure — MFDS + Korean Oriental Medicine compliance
- Taiwan import procedure — TFDA Department of Chinese Medicine
- Mainland China import procedure — GACC + NMPA + CIQ
- TCM formula context: Ma Huang Tang and related classical preparations
- Pakistani wild-harvest vs Chinese cultivated origin
- Species + origin authentication checklist
- Pricing, MOQ, FCL economics, and lead times
- Frequently asked questions
Why Korea, Taiwan, and China — and only these three
Pakistani wild-harvest ephedra has a global legal footprint larger than three countries — but our commercial footprint is intentionally focused on three. Here's why each one earns its place:
| Market | Role | Typical buyer profile | Why this market |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Korea | Primary | Korean Oriental Medicine pharmacies (한의약국), Korean TCM extract manufacturers, MFDS-licensed pharmaceutical entities | Korean Oriental Medicine (한의학) is one of the world's most institutionalised traditional medicine systems with university-trained doctors, insurance coverage, and pharmacopoeial Ma Huang demand |
| Taiwan | Primary | Taiwan TCM pharmaceutical entities, TFDA-licensed Chinese medicine manufacturers, TCM dispensary networks (中藥局) | Taiwan TCM industry is highly regulated, well-capitalised, with documented preference for premium hand-selected wild-harvest Ma Huang at scale |
| Mainland China | Secondary | Licensed TCM pharmaceutical entities with NMPA import permits | Largest absolute market by volume, but Chinese-domestic supply (Inner Mongolia + Xinjiang) is dominant; Pakistani origin serves diversification + premium-grade buyers |
About other "TCM-legal" markets: Ephedra is technically legal for licensed TCM import in Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Russia, parts of CIS, and a few other jurisdictions. We do not ship to those countries. This is a commercial focus decision based on our established relationships and supply commitments — not a comment on legality elsewhere. Buyers in those countries should source from suppliers active in those specific channels.
Three species, one primary supply
| Species | Chinese / Korean name | Origin range | Visual signature | Alkaloid profile |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ephedra sinica (our primary supply) | 草麻黄 / Cao Ma Huang / 초마황 | Pakistani Balochistan, Pakistani KPK highlands; also Inner Mongolia, NW China, Mongolian steppes | Light green-grey jointed stems, 1.5-3mm diameter | Highest alkaloid (0.8-2.5%), ephedrine 50-90% |
| Ephedra equisetina | 木贼麻黄 / Mu Zei Ma Huang / 목적마황 | Mountainous NW China, Pakistan KPK highlands | Darker green woody stems, 2-4mm diameter | Higher ephedrine ratio, lower total alkaloid (0.5-1.5%) |
| Ephedra intermedia | 中麻黄 / Zhong Ma Huang / 중마황 | Central Asia, occasional in Pakistani highlands | Intermediate appearance | Balanced ephedrine/pseudoephedrine ratio |
Pakistani wild-harvest from Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa is primarily Ephedra sinica, the species cited as the standard reference in:
- Korean Pharmacopoeia (KP 12th edition) — for 마황 (Ma Huang)
- Taiwan Pharmacopoeia (3rd edition) — for 麻黃
- Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2025 edition) — for 麻黄
Our wild-harvest sources are above 1,500m elevation in the Balochistan + KPK highlands where alkaloid concentration is naturally highest. Ephedra equisetina and intermedia are available on request for buyers with formulas specifying those species.
HPLC alkaloid content specifications
For Korean Oriental Medicine pharmacies, Taiwan TCM manufacturers, and Chinese TCM houses, alkaloid content is the single most important spec. Pharmacopoeial requirements across the three markets:
| Pharmacopoeia | Total alkaloid minimum | Method |
|---|---|---|
| Korean Pharmacopoeia 12th ed. | ≥ 0.7% (ephedrine + pseudoephedrine) | HPLC |
| Taiwan Pharmacopoeia 3rd ed. | ≥ 0.7% (ephedrine + pseudoephedrine) | HPLC |
| Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 | ≥ 0.8% (ephedrine + pseudoephedrine combined) | HPLC |
Our per-shipment HPLC lab COA quantifies each alkaloid fraction:
| Alkaloid fraction | % of total alkaloids in Pakistani sinica |
|---|---|
| l-Ephedrine | 40-90% |
| d-Pseudoephedrine | 5-40% |
| l-Methylephedrine | 1-10% |
| Norephedrine | 1-5% |
| Norpseudoephedrine | 1-3% |
Premium thick-stem Pakistani wild-harvest typically tests at total alkaloids 1.5-2.5% — well above all three pharmacopoeial minimums and at the upper end of the global commercial range.
Three commercial grades
| Grade | Stem diameter | Total alkaloids | Typical end-use (Korea / Taiwan / China) | FOB Karachi (USD/kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thick (premium hand-selected) | 5-12 mm | 1.5-2.5% | Korean한방 pharmacy classical formulas (Ma Huang Tang 마황탕, Da Qing Long Tang 대청룡탕); Taiwan TCM premium decoctions; China premium pharmaceutical extract | 6-12 |
| Thin (commodity TCM) | 2-5 mm | 0.8-1.5% | Bulk TCM trade for smaller dispensaries in all three markets | 3-6 |
| White (peeled/processed) | 3-6 mm (after processing) | 0.5-1.0% | Specific decoction applications where bark removal is required | 4-8 |
For first-time TCM-house buyers in Korea, Taiwan, or China, the recommended starter mix is 70% thick + 30% thin at MOQ 500 kg total, allowing the buyer to validate alkaloid content against their formula requirements before scaling to FCL volumes.
Korea import procedure — MFDS + Korean Oriental Medicine compliance
For licensed Korean Oriental Medicine pharmacies (한의약국) and Korean TCM extract manufacturers:
- Importer eligibility: Must be a licensed Korean Oriental Medicine entity registered with MFDS (Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, formerly KFDA), or a licensed pharmaceutical manufacturer with herbal-product authorisation.
- Pre-shipment documents (issued in Pakistan):
- Certificate of Origin (TDAP) specifying Pakistani wild-harvest district (Balochistan or KPK)
- Plant Quarantine Certificate from Pakistan Department of Plant Protection
- HPLC Alkaloid Content COA — must meet Korean Pharmacopoeia 12th ed. ≥ 0.7% requirement
- Species Verification Certificate confirming Ephedra sinica
- Fumigation certificate
- Shipping: Sea Karachi → Busan 18-23 days. Some buyers route via Singapore for combined-cargo cost efficiency.
- Korea-side filings (importer responsibility):
- MFDS import permit verification at port
- Korean Pharmacopoeia compliance verification at importer's licensed facility
- Customs declaration with herbal-medicine tariff classification (HS 1211.90)
- Lead time from PO to delivered Busan: 35-45 days typical.
Korean diaspora note: Korean Oriental Medicine has a strong cultural identity distinct from Chinese TCM. Korean buyers typically prefer their Ma Huang specifications and quality benchmarks documented in Korean (한국어), and our commercial team provides bilingual documentation on request.
Taiwan import procedure — TFDA Department of Chinese Medicine
For licensed Taiwan TCM pharmaceutical entities and Chinese medicine manufacturers (中藥廠):
- Importer eligibility: Must be a TFDA (Taiwan Food and Drug Administration) Department of Chinese Medicine-licensed entity, or a registered TCM dispensary network with import authorisation.
- Pre-shipment documents:
- Certificate of Origin (TDAP) specifying Pakistani wild-harvest district
- Plant Quarantine Certificate
- HPLC Alkaloid Content COA — Taiwan Pharmacopoeia 3rd ed. ≥ 0.7% compliance
- Species Verification Certificate (Ephedra sinica)
- Fumigation certificate
- Shipping: Sea Karachi → Kaohsiung 16-20 days; Karachi → Keelung 17-21 days.
- Taiwan-side filings (importer responsibility):
- TFDA Department of Chinese Medicine import permit verification
- Taiwan Pharmacopoeia compliance verification
- BAPHIQ plant quarantine inspection at port
- Lead time from PO to delivered Taiwan port: 32-42 days typical.
Mainland China import procedure — GACC + NMPA + CIQ
For licensed Chinese TCM pharmaceutical entities (中药制药企业):
- Importer eligibility: Must be a licensed TCM pharmaceutical entity with NMPA (National Medical Products Administration) import permit and local customs registration.
- Exporter registration: Pakistani exporter must be GACC-registered (we are registered).
- Pre-shipment documents:
- Certificate of Origin (TDAP) — specifying wild-harvest origin (Balochistan or KPK)
- Plant Quarantine Certificate
- HPLC Alkaloid Content COA — must meet Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 ≥ 0.8% requirement
- Species Verification Certificate (Ephedra sinica)
- Fumigation certificate
- Shipping: Sea Karachi → Shanghai 14-18 days, Guangzhou 15-19 days, Qingdao 16-20 days, Tianjin 17-21 days.
- China-side filings (importer responsibility):
- CIQ (China Inspection & Quarantine) inspection at port of entry
- NMPA import permit verification
- Customs declaration with TCM-herb tariff classification
- Lead time from PO to delivered China port: 30-45 days typical.
TCM formula context
Ma Huang (麻黄 / 마황) has been documented in Chinese Materia Medica for over 5,000 years and remains a foundational herb in classical TCM formulas — taught at Korean Oriental Medicine universities (Kyung Hee, Dongguk, Wonkwang), Taiwan TCM colleges (China Medical University, Chang Gung), and Chinese TCM universities. Key formulas where Ma Huang is the principal or supporting herb:
- Ma Huang Tang (麻黄汤 / 마황탕) — Han Dynasty foundational formula for exterior cold-pattern disorders. Ma Huang is the chief herb. Used across all three target markets.
- Da Qing Long Tang (大青龙汤 / 대청룡탕) — Ma Huang Tang + Gypsum, for exterior cold + interior heat.
- Xiao Qing Long Tang (小青龙汤 / 소청룡탕) — for exterior cold + interior water-rheum.
- Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang (麻杏石甘汤 / 마행석감탕) — Ma Huang + Apricot Kernel + Gypsum + Licorice.
- San Ao Tang (三拗汤 / 삼요탕) — simplified Ma Huang Tang.
The pharmacopoeial requirement of ≥ 0.7-0.8% total alkaloids exists specifically because these classical formulas have dose-response expectations based on alkaloid concentration. Sourcing below this threshold compromises TCM efficacy across all three markets.
Pakistani wild-harvest vs Chinese cultivated origin
| Origin | Production type | Typical alkaloid % | Annual volume to Korea/Taiwan/China import |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pakistani Balochistan + KPK | Wild-harvest, PMDC-supervised | 0.8-2.5% | ~400 MT/year across all 3 markets |
| Chinese Inner Mongolia + Xinjiang | Increasingly cultivated; some regulated wild-harvest | 1.0-2.5% | ~3,000 MT consumed in China (domestic); ~600 MT exported to Korea/Taiwan |
| Mongolian steppes | Wild-harvest (sustainability concerns) | 0.5-1.8% | ~200 MT to Korea/Taiwan/China combined |
For Korean and Taiwan buyers especially, Pakistani wild-harvest is the premium niche source with several distinct advantages over Chinese cultivated supply:
- Wild-harvest authenticity: Korean한방 schools and Taiwan TCM colleges teach that wild-harvested Ma Huang has superior 효능 (efficacy) and 약성 (medicinal property) compared to cultivated. Pakistani is genuinely wild-harvested above 1,500m.
- Supply diversification: Reduces single-country dependency on Chinese supply (relevant given Korea-China and Taiwan-China geopolitical context for Korean and Taiwanese buyers).
- Premium alkaloid concentration: Higher elevation = higher alkaloid; Pakistani 1,500m+ matches premium Chinese Inner Mongolia.
- Price: 20-40% discount to equivalent Chinese premium grade.
- Geographic resilience: Pakistani supply doesn't share Chinese weather risk patterns.
Species + origin authentication checklist
For Korean MFDS-licensed pharmacies, Taiwan TFDA-licensed entities, and Chinese NMPA-licensed importers with strict pharmacopoeial sourcing requirements:
- Species Verification Certificate: Issued by accredited Pakistani botanical lab confirming Ephedra sinica by morphological + chromatographic analysis. Critical because Korean, Taiwan, and Chinese pharmacopoeias specifically require sinica — substituting equisetina or intermedia where sinica is specified affects formula efficacy.
- HPLC Alkaloid Chromatogram: Not just the total-alkaloid number but the actual HPLC chromatogram showing peaks for ephedrine, pseudoephedrine, methylephedrine. Authentic Ma Huang has a characteristic peak pattern.
- Origin documentation: Certificate of Origin specifying district (Balochistan: Quetta, Kalat, Khuzdar; KPK: Chitral, Hazara). Wild-harvest declaration + PMDC supervision documentation.
- Microscopic verification: Available on request for high-stakes pharmaceutical buyers. Authentic ephedra stems show characteristic ridges and joint segments at specific intervals.
Pricing, MOQ, FCL economics, lead times
| Order size | Typical buyer profile (Korea / Taiwan / China) | Lead time |
|---|---|---|
| 100-500 kg (LCL) | Korean한약방 small dispensaries, Taiwan TCM pharmacies, China smaller importers — sample evaluation | 10-14 days production + sea |
| 1-5 MT (LCL or part of FCL) | Mid-size Korean/Taiwan TCM extract manufacturers, monthly reorder | 14-21 days |
| 5-15 MT (20ft FCL) | Large Korean Oriental Medicine extract houses, Taiwan TCM pharmaceutical entities, China NMPA-licensed importers — quarterly | 18-25 days production + sea |
| 20+ MT (40ft HC) | Major Korean/Taiwan/China TCM manufacturers, annual contracts | 30-45 days; forward-contract recommended |
MOQ: 100 kg for first-time licensed buyers (LCL sample order). Standard commercial MOQ 500 kg.
Packaging: 25 kg PP woven bags is standard; 10 kg paper-foil-laminate option for Korean and Taiwan TCM houses requiring tighter moisture barrier; 50 kg jute bags occasionally requested for Chinese commodity TCM trade.
For licensed Korean, Taiwan, and Chinese TCM importers
Kohenoor International (since 1957) supplies authentic Pakistani Ephedra sinica only to licensed TCM pharmaceutical entities in South Korea (MFDS-licensed Oriental Medicine pharmacies), Taiwan (TFDA Department of Chinese Medicine), and mainland China (NMPA-licensed). Per-shipment HPLC alkaloid COA + species verification certificate.
Request a Quote (Licensed Buyers Only) Ephedra Product PageFrequently asked questions
Which countries do you supply ephedra to?
We supply Pakistani wild-harvest ephedra only to licensed Korean Oriental Medicine pharmacies, Taiwan TCM pharmaceutical entities, and mainland China TCM houses. Korea and Taiwan are our primary markets. We do not ship ephedra to any other country including Hong Kong, Macau, Vietnam, Russia, CIS, USA, EU, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or Japan — regardless of any third-party claim about local legality.
Why don't you ship to Hong Kong, Vietnam, or Russia even though ephedra is legal there?
Commercial focus decision based on our established channel relationships in Korea, Taiwan, and mainland China. We've built the Korean한방 and Taiwan TCM relationships over years and don't take on adjacent markets where we can't deliver the same documentation, language, and turnaround quality.
What species do you supply?
Primarily Ephedra sinica (草麻黄 / 초마황) from Pakistani Balochistan + KPK wild-harvest above 1,500m. This is the species cited in Korean Pharmacopoeia 12th ed., Taiwan Pharmacopoeia 3rd ed., and Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2025 ed.
What alkaloid content does Pakistani ephedra have?
Total alkaloids 0.8-2.5%. Ephedrine 40-90% of total, pseudoephedrine 5-40%, methylephedrine 1-10%. HPLC lab COA per shipment. Meets Korean/Taiwan/Chinese pharmacopoeial minimums.
What documentation is required for Korea (MFDS)?
MFDS import permit, Korean Pharmacopoeia compliance certificate, HPLC alkaloid COA ≥ 0.7%, Certificate of Origin from TDAP, species verification certificate (Ephedra sinica). Importer must be licensed Korean Oriental Medicine entity. Sea transit Karachi → Busan 18-23 days.
What documentation is required for Taiwan?
TFDA Department of Chinese Medicine import permit, Taiwan Pharmacopoeia compliance certificate, HPLC alkaloid COA ≥ 0.7%, Certificate of Origin, species verification. Sea transit Karachi → Kaohsiung 16-20 days.
What documentation is required for mainland China?
GACC registered exporter (we are registered), CIQ inspection, NMPA import permit verification, plant quarantine certificate, HPLC alkaloid COA ≥ 0.8%, species verification. Sea transit Karachi → Shanghai 14-18 days.
What are the three commercial grades?
Thick (premium hand-selected, 5-12mm, 1.5-2.5% alkaloid) for classical formula manufacturing. Thin (commodity, 2-5mm, 0.8-1.5%) for bulk TCM trade. White (peeled, 0.5-1.0%) for specific decoction applications.
Can I order a sample first?
Yes, for verified licensed Korean / Taiwan / Chinese buyers only. 100g sample with HPLC alkaloid COA; buyer pays courier (DHL/FedEx). Pre-shipment 1-5 kg samples at USD 80/kg + courier, credited against first PO of 500 kg or more.
What payment terms do you accept?
First-time licensed TCM buyers: 30% TT advance + 70% against scanned BL copy. Repeat buyers: LC at sight, or LC 30 days from BL. We support buyer-side third-party pre-shipment inspection (SGS, Bureau Veritas) at buyer cost.
Further reading
- Pakistani Ephedra (Ma Huang / 麻黃 / 마황) — product page
- Ephedra Thick — premium hand-selected grade
- Ephedra Thin — commodity TCM grade
- South Korea ephedra importer guide
- Taiwan ephedra importer guide
- Mainland China ephedra importer guide
- China market overview
- Pakistani Fenugreek Buyer's Guide 2026
- Khewra Pink Salt International Wholesale Guide