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Travelling with medicines

Some everyday medicines are controlled or banned abroad. Check your countries, pack the paperwork, and print a letter for your doctor to sign.

General information, not medical or legal advice. Medicine rules change often and depend on the exact ingredient and amount: confirm with the country's embassy or health authority, and talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you travel.

Country rules

Known strict countries

  • Japan

    Stimulant and pseudoephedrine medicines banned; import certificate for large quantities.check

    • Pseudoephedrine decongestants (Sudafed-type) and some inhalers are banned as stimulant ingredients. Amphetamine-based ADHD medicines (such as Adderall) are banned outright; other ADHD stimulants need advance permission.
    • Codeine and other narcotic ingredients: low-dose over-the-counter products may be allowed in small amounts; prescription opioids and methylphenidate need advance permission from a Regional Bureau of Health and Welfare.
    • More than a month's supply of prescription medicine (or two months of over-the-counter medicine) needs a Yunyu Kakunin-sho import confirmation, applied for online before you fly.
    • Carry the prescription or a doctor's letter in English with generic names; keep everything in original packs.

    Confirm with: Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare (MHLW) — import of medicines for personal use.

    From the Japan guide

    • Pseudoephedrine decongestants and some codeine remedies are banned; more than a month's supply of prescription drugs needs a Yunyu Kakunin-sho import certificate.
    • Pseudoephedrine (Sudafed-type) and some inhalers are banned; codeine and ADHD medicines are restricted.
    • Yunyu Kakunin-sho for more than a month's supply or restricted drugs; carry prescriptions in English.

  • United Arab Emirates

    Controlled and semi-controlled medicines need approval before you travel.check

    • Many common prescription drugs are controlled: codeine, tramadol, diazepam and other benzodiazepines, pregabalin, some ADHD, sleep and anxiety medicines.
    • Controlled medicines need an approval applied for online before you fly, with the prescription and a doctor's letter; quantities are limited (often up to 3 months, less for some) — check.
    • Traces of banned substances in your blood (including cannabis and CBD) can lead to prosecution.

    Confirm with: Emirates Drug Establishment / Ministry of Health and Prevention list of controlled medicines.

    From the United Arab Emirates guide

    • Bring a prescription and doctor's letter; some drugs need prior approval — check the Emirates Drug Establishment list.
    • Many prescription drugs (codeine, tramadol, diazepam, some ADHD, sleeping and anxiety medicines) are controlled; bring a prescription and doctor's letter, and apply for approval where the list requires it — check.
    • Original prescription for every medicine; approval for controlled ones — check the Emirates Drug Establishment rules.

  • Singapore

    Controlled drugs and psychotropics need HSA approval before arrival.check

    • Most non-controlled medicines: up to 3 months' supply for personal use, with the prescription or a doctor's letter.
    • Controlled drugs and psychotropic substances (strong painkillers, benzodiazepines and sleeping pills, some ADHD medicines, some cough syrups) need Health Sciences Authority approval — apply at least 10 days ahead.
    • Drug laws are among the strictest in the world; don't carry anything for someone else.

    Confirm with: Health Sciences Authority (HSA) — bringing personal medication into Singapore.

    From the Singapore guide

    • Needed for listed psychotropics, strong opioids and some ADHD and sleep medicines; bring the prescription and original packaging.

  • Indonesia

    Narcotic and psychotropic medicines strictly limited; very severe drug penalties.check

    • Codeine, strong painkillers, benzodiazepines and ADHD stimulants are narcotic or psychotropic classes: carry only your personal quantity with the prescription and a doctor's letter in English.
    • Medical cannabis and CBD products are illegal whatever your home prescription says.
    • Declare medicines at customs if asked; trafficking carries the death penalty.

    Confirm with: Indonesian Food and Drug Authority (BPOM) and customs.

  • Thailand

    Up to 30 days of psychotropic medicines with a doctor's certificate; narcotics need a permit.check

    • Psychotropic medicines (for example diazepam, alprazolam, zolpidem, some ADHD medicines): up to a 30-day supply with a doctor's certificate.
    • Narcotic medicines (morphine, oxycodone, higher-strength codeine): a permit from the Thai FDA before you travel.
    • Cannabis rules keep changing; don't bring any in.

    Confirm with: Thai Food and Drug Administration — bringing medicines into Thailand.

  • China

    Personal quantities only; controlled psychotropics and narcotics must be declared.check

    • Bring a doctor's letter and prescription in English (a Chinese translation helps) for anything controlled: strong painkillers, sleeping pills, some ADHD medicines.
    • Carry only a 'reasonable amount' for your stay and declare narcotic or psychotropic medicines at customs.
    • Some Western medicines are hard to find: bring enough for the whole trip.

    Confirm with: General Administration of Customs and your nearest Chinese embassy.

    From the China guide

    • Bring prescriptions in English with a doctor's letter; some ADHD, strong painkiller and sleep medicines are controlled — carry only personal quantities and check with the embassy.

  • Hong Kong

    Codeine and stimulant products are controlled; bring prescriptions.check

    • Medicines with 'dangerous drug' ingredients (codeine, some sleeping pills and ADHD medicines) must be in original packs, for personal use, with a prescription or doctor's letter.
    • Keep quantities to what the trip needs.

    Confirm with: Department of Health, Drug Office.

    From the Hong Kong guide

    • Bring personal medicines in original packaging with a prescription; some codeine and stimulant products are controlled.

  • Greece

    Codeine medicines are controlled: carry the prescription.check

    • Codeine-containing painkillers bought over the counter elsewhere are controlled in Greece; bring the prescription or a doctor's letter and only what you need.
    • Strong painkillers, benzodiazepines and ADHD medicines: prescription and doctor's letter; if you live in Schengen, a Schengen certificate.

    Confirm with: Greek embassy or the National Organization for Medicines (EOF).

  • United States

    Up to 90 days' supply in original containers; medical cannabis not allowed across the border.check

    • Bring prescription medicines in their original containers with the prescription or a doctor's letter; generally no more than a 90-day supply.
    • Cannabis, including medical cannabis and many CBD products, is illegal under federal law at borders and airports even where states allow it.

    Confirm with: U.S. Customs and Border Protection and the FDA — personal importation.

  • United Kingdom

    More than 3 months of a controlled drug needs a personal licence.check

    • Controlled drugs (strong opioids, benzodiazepines, ADHD medicines, some sleeping pills): up to 3 months' supply with a doctor's letter; more needs a Home Office personal licence.
    • Medical cannabis prescribed abroad is not valid in the UK.

    Confirm with: Home Office — travelling with controlled drugs.

The general rules

Original packaging
Keep every medicine in its original pack with the pharmacy label in your name. Loose pills in a pill box are what border officers question.
Prescription and doctor's letter
Carry a copy of each prescription and a signed letter listing generic (active-ingredient) names, doses and why you take them. Brand names differ between countries.
Quantity for the trip
Bring enough for the trip plus a few days' spare for delays — not a year's stock. Many countries cap personal imports at 1–3 months.
Split between bags
Keep at least a few days' supply in your carry-on (checked bags get lost); split the rest between bags or with a travel companion.
Check every country, including transits
Rules apply where you land, even for a connection that leaves the airport. The strictest country on your route sets the bar.
Schengen certificate
If you live in a Schengen country and carry narcotic or psychotropic medicines (strong painkillers, some ADHD, sleep or anxiety medicines), ask your health authority for the Schengen certificate (Article 75). It covers up to 30 days. From outside Schengen, carry the doctor's letter and check each country.
Liquids and devices
Liquid medicines over 100 ml, insulin pens, needles and EpiPens are allowed through security with a letter; tell the officer before screening. Insulin goes in the cabin, never the hold.
Buying abroad
The same brand can have a different ingredient abroad. Show the pharmacist the active ingredient, not the brand, and never buy prescription-only drugs over the counter.

My checklist

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Doctor's letter template

Fill in what you know, then print or send it to your doctor to copy onto letterhead, check, sign and stamp. The passport number is left blank on purpose: write it by hand.

Medicines
To whom it may concern,

This is to confirm that [patient's full name], born [date of birth], passport number [passport number], is under my care.

The patient will travel to [countries, including transits] from [date] to [date] and needs to carry the following medicines for personal use only, in quantities for the length of the trip:

1. [active ingredient] ([brand]) — [strength and dose] — quantity carried: [number]

These medicines have been prescribed by me and are necessary for the patient's health. Please contact me with any questions.

[Doctor's name, qualifications and registration number]
[Practice address, phone and email]

Signature: ____________________    Date: ____________    Stamp:

What you type here stays on this device.

Country notes are curated and checked 2026-09; lines marked check change often. Abroad, show the pharmacist the active ingredient with the pharmacy & medicine card, and keep your health card with you.