Abstract: Fentanyl-like substances, as a synthetic narcotic opioid analgesic, have became a new type of drug with serious illegal manufacturing, smuggling, and abuse in the global drug market. The control and crackdown on fentanyl-like substances in various countries are constantly increasing, and the efficient and sensitive rapid detection methods are great significance for the technical support of relevant law enforcement work of administrative supervision departments such as import and export ports. Therefor, the structural characteristics, pharmacological and toxicological effects, in-vivo metabolism, abuse, and control of fentanyl like substances were briefly summarized. The research progress of detection techniques such as spectroscopy, immunoassay, in-situ ionization mass spectrometry, and electrochemical methods were reviewed, and the application prospects of these technologies and methods were also presented (54 ref. cited).