What Is Amitraz? A Technical Overview for Agrochemical and Veterinary

When your registration or purchasing team evaluates a new active ingredient, the first questions are always the same: What is amitraz? What does it do? How is it classified?
This page gives you a clear, business-oriented explanation of amitraz as an active ingredient, covering its identity, high-level mode of action, typical use sectors and the key points you should review when choosing an amitraz supplier.

What Is Amitraz? (Direct Answer)

In technical terms, amitraz is a formamidine acaricide and insecticide used to control mites and ticks, and in some markets certain insects, in agriculture and animal health. It is identified by the CAS number 33089-61-1 and is valued for its strong activity against resistant mite and tick populations when used according to label directions and local regulations.

Amitraz at a Glance

• Chemical class: Formamidine acaricide

• Main function: Control of mites and ticks, and certain insects where registered

• Key sectors: Crop protection and veterinary tick control (subject to local approvals)

• Regulatory identifier: Amitraz CAS number 33089-61-1

• Typical formulations: EC, SC, WP and other liquid or solid formulations, depending on registration

Why Amitraz Matters in Agriculture and Animal Health

For many distributors and brand owners, amitraz fills a specific gap in their portfolio:

• It offers a different mode of action compared with many organophosphates, pyrethroids or carbamates.

• It is used in markets where mite and tick resistance has become a serious problem.

• It supports integrated pest and parasite management programs under professional supervision and according to local rules.

Because of these factors, amitraz is often considered a strategic active ingredient rather than a commodity product.

Amitraz Identity: CAS Number, Chemical Name and Classification

Before you discuss pricing or formulation, you need to be sure you are talking about the same substance. That starts with the amitraz CAS number and the official chemical names.

Amitraz CAS Number

The unique CAS identifier for amitraz is:

• Amitraz CAS number: 33089-61-1

This number is used in:

• Registration dossiers

• COA, MSDS and TDS

• Customs and shipping documents

• Internal ERP systems and technical databases

Any serious offer of amitraz technical or formulated amitraz products should clearly mention CAS 33089-61-1.

Amitraz Chemical Name

In addition to the common name amitraz, you may see one or more of the following names in dossiers and certificates:

• Common name: Amitraz

• Chemical / IUPAC-style name (one widely used form):
  N′,N′-[(methylimino)dimethylidene]di-2,4-xylidine

Different naming conventions may appear in different regions, but they refer to the same formamidine active ingredient defined by CAS 33089-61-1.

Amitraz Identity Table

This basic identity information is what your technical team will verify first when comparing different amitraz suppliers.

How Amitraz Works (High-Level Mode of Action)

Understanding what amitraz is also includes understanding how it acts on target organisms.

Mode of Action Summary

At a high level, amitraz acts primarily on the nervous system of mites and ticks. It interacts with octopamine receptors and other neurochemical pathways that are important in invertebrates. This interference disrupts normal nerve function, leading to:

• Reduced feeding

• Loss of coordination

• Paralysis and death of the target organisms

In many classification systems, amitraz is placed among formamidine acaricides, with its own mode-of-action grouping distinct from pyrethroids or organophosphates. That makes it useful as part of rotation strategies to delay resistance, when such use is permitted by the label and local regulations.

What This Means for Buyers

For procurement and portfolio managers, this mode-of-action profile means that amitraz:

• Can complement existing insecticide and acaricide lines with a different target site.

• May be considered in mixture products where local regulations allow, to broaden the spectrum or manage resistance.

• Needs careful stewardship and responsible use, guided strictly by label instructions and regulatory frameworks.

This is a technical asset for your brand, but it must be managed responsibly.

Important: Always follow the approved product label and local regulations. This overview is for technical understanding only and is not a use recommendation.

Typical Sectors Where Amitraz Is Used (Non-Instructional Overview)

The exact uses of amitraz depend on each country’s regulatory decisions. However, in many markets it is known in the following sectors.

Agricultural Sector

In crop protection, amitraz has been used in products registered for control of:

• Mites in crops such as cotton, fruits and some vegetables

• Certain insect pests in specific crops, depending on local labels

The concrete crop spectrum, application timing and dose are strictly defined by each country’s registration authority.

Veterinary and Animal Health Sector

In veterinary products, amitraz is widely associated with tick and mite control on livestock and companion animals, where such products are approved. These uses are typically highly regulated and subject to strict label instructions, withholding periods and safety measures.

Storage and Other Specialized Uses

In some regions and under specific registrations, amitraz-based products are used against mites and other small arthropods in storage or specialized environments. These are niche segments, but they add to the strategic importance of amitraz for certain distributors.

Key Physical and Chemical Properties Relevant to Procurement

When you evaluate an amitraz offer, you need more than the statement “technical amitraz available.” Technical specifications and physical properties drive both quality and formulation performance.

Technical-Grade Characteristics

Typical features of amitraz technical (TC) include:

• Appearance: Off-white to yellowish crystalline solid

• Purity: Often specified in the range of ≥ 95% or ≥ 97%, depending on your registration and market positioning

• Odor: Characteristic

• Melting behavior: A defined melting range used as a QC parameter

Suppliers should be able to provide detailed specifications and batch COAs consistent with your registration files.

Solubility and Stability Considerations

From a formulation and storage perspective, amitraz shows:

• Very low solubility in water

• Higher solubility in various organic solvents

• Defined stability behavior under normal storage conditions when protected from excessive heat, moisture and light

These properties explain why amitraz is commonly formulated as:

• EC (Emulsifiable Concentrate)

• SC (Suspension Concentrate)

• WP (Wettable Powder) or other solid forms

Your formulation team will require data on accelerated storage, cold/heat stability and formulation compatibility to ensure that amitraz products remain stable throughout their shelf life.

Safety and Regulatory Considerations

Any transparent answer to “what is amitraz” must also recognize its safety and regulatory profile.

Toxicological Profile (High-Level)

Publicly available assessments indicate that amitraz:

• Has a defined acute and chronic toxicological profile that must be respected

• Can affect the central nervous system at high exposures

• Carries hazard classifications that often include warnings related to humans and animals if misused

Because of this, amitraz-containing products are typically classified with specific hazard statements, personal protective equipment requirements and handling instructions on the label.

Environmental and Operator Care

Regulators also assess potential effects of amitraz and its metabolites on:

• Aquatic organisms

• Non-target organisms

• Environmental compartments such as soil and water

For importers and brand owners, it is essential to:

• Ensure that all labels, MSDS and instructions match local regulations

• Train downstream partners (where applicable) to respect handling and disposal rules

• Implement a stewardship approach consistent with national guidelines

Reminder: Use of amitraz products must strictly follow the approved label and local legislation. This article does not replace professional risk assessment or official documentation.

How Professional Buyers Evaluate Amitraz Suppliers

As a B2B buyer, you are not just asking “what is amitraz” in theory. You are assessing whether a potential supplier can support your business in a reliable, compliant and long-term way.

Specification and Quality Control

Key questions your team should ask include:

• What is the declared purity of amitraz technical and which impurities profile is controlled?

• Are there clear analytical methods and validated QC procedures?

• Does the supplier provide batch-specific COA that matches your registration specification?

This determines how confidently you can pass audits and respond to regulator queries.

Documentation Package

For each shipment and for registration support, a serious supplier should provide:

• COA for every batch shipped

• MSDS in the required languages

• TDS / specification sheet

• Supporting documents for registration, where commercially agreed (toxicology summaries, methods, etc.)

For many markets, this documentation is as important as the physical product itself.

Packaging and Logistics

From a commercial standpoint, you will also review:

• Packaging options: drums, IBCs, cans, or customized retail packs for formulated products

• Label and carton design: multi-language, compliant with local law

• Logistics options: choice of incoterms, experience with hazardous goods transport, and stability during shipping

An experienced amitraz supplier will understand the documentation and packaging needs of different regions and help you avoid delays at customs or during inspections.

Why Work with POMAIS for Amitraz Supply

Choosing the right active-ingredient partner can reduce your operational risk and accelerate your go-to-market strategy.

Integrated Product and Formulation Capability

POMAIS focuses on a broad portfolio of insecticides, acaricides, fungicides and herbicides, with:

• Access to amitraz technical from audited factories

• Experience with common formulations such as Amitraz 12.5% EC and other strengths, subject to registration

• The ability to coordinate custom formulation projects where regulations allow

This gives you flexibility to align amitraz-based products with your existing brand architecture.

Documentation and Compliance Support

For distributors, importers and brand owners, POMAIS can typically support:

• COA, MSDS and TDS tailored to your registration files

• Sample documentation for registration submission, on a project basis

• Label development with required safety phrases and hazard pictograms based on your local framework

That means you can move from enquiry → sample → registration → first shipment with fewer back-and-forths.

Packaging, Branding and Global Logistics

To help you build a strong presence in your market, POMAIS can provide:

• Flexible pack sizes (bulk and retail) to match local distribution channels

• Private-label and OEM options with multi-language artwork

• Logistics solutions suitable for Middle East, Africa, South America, Russia and Central Asia, including stable freight partners and experience with hazardous goods transport

The result is a more predictable supply chain for your amitraz portfolio.

FAQ: Common Questions About Amitraz

1. What is amitraz?

Amitraz is a formamidine acaricide and insecticide used to control mites, ticks and certain insects in agriculture and animal health, identified by the CAS number 33089-61-1. It acts on the nervous system of target organisms and must be used strictly according to approved labels and regulations.

2. Is amitraz an insecticide or an acaricide?

Amitraz is commonly described as both an acaricide (for mites and ticks) and, in some registrations, an insecticide. The exact wording on labels depends on the local approvals and target pests listed by regulators.

3. What is the CAS number of amitraz?

The amitraz CAS number is 33089-61-1. This is the globally recognized identifier used in regulatory documents, analytical reports and international trade.

4. In which sectors is amitraz used?

Amitraz is used in crop protection and veterinary products where legally approved, primarily for controlling mites and ticks. Any specific crop or animal use must follow the registered labels in each country.

5. What documents should an amitraz supplier provide?

A professional amitraz supplier should at minimum provide:

• COA (linked to your agreed specification)

• MSDS in the required languages

• Technical data sheet (TDS)

• Supporting documents for registration, where commercially agreed

Discuss Your Amitraz Projects

If your company is planning new amitraz registrations, private-label launches or supplier consolidation, you need more than a basic definition of “what is amitraz”. You need a partner who understands:

• The chemistry and regulatory context of amitraz

• The documentation and packaging standards in your key markets

• The logistics and service level required for long-term cooperation

Share your target formulations, pack sizes and annual volume, and we can explore a tailored amitraz supply solution that fits your portfolio and market strategy.