Traveling with Medication - April 4, 2015 - Summary, Case Studies, Pre-Departure Guidance

Sep 29, 2026

Traveling with Medication outlines key considerations for transporting medicines across international borders, emphasizing that over-the-counter drugs may differ from prescription, habit-forming, and narcotics. It describes how common U.S. prescriptions can be unlicensed or controlled elsewhere, with risks such as confiscation, severe criminal penalties, and even imprisonment or death sentences. Through case studies and drug-control rules, it recommends verifying requirements in advance, obtaining medical documentation, and consulting physicians before departure.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages3

Reading Time8 min

AccessFree to download

Summary

Case Studies

Controlled narcotics and severe penalties

Contraceptives and epi-Pen issues

Pre-Departure Guidance

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Traveling with Medication | | --- | | Product of the Research & Information Support Center (RISC)
The following is based on open-source reporting.
April 4, 2015
Summary
In packing for a trip overseas of any duration, some travelers must consider how to handle health conditions that require medication. While most over-the-counter medication can be taken across national boundaries, some cannot. Most prescription drugs , particularly habit-forming and narcotics, require additional consideration.
Commonly prescribed medications in the United States could be unlicensed or controlled substances in other countries. Failing to follow specific guidance may result in confiscation , which could impact medical treatment , or stiff penalties, including imprisonment on charges for drug trafficking , with no available recourse from the U.S. government. Countries have different rules and regulations about the types of medicine allowed to be brought into the country and the maximum amount the traveler can bring. Please [be sure to check Travel.state.gov](be sure to check Travel.state.gov) before you start your trip.
Case Studies
On February 20, 2015, a U.S. citizen was arrested and incarcerated in Nagoya, Japan, for shipping a three-month supply of prescription Adderall from South Korea to Japan. Adderall, an amphetamine, is illegal in Japan, as is Ritalin; both are stimulants used widely in [the U.S. to](the U.S. to) counteract ADHD . The citizen also ran afoul for repackaging her prescription from the original container, in an alleged attempt to maintain privacy and avoid stigmatization from her disorder. She was released after 18 days and heavy U.S. legislative-and diplomatic-level lobbying. For information on bringing medication into Japan, please visit the Japanese Consulate in Seattle or the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. Many countries require a license prior to arrival.
The UAE has strict narcotics laws that have landed many travelers in prison: “Up to three months’ supply of a prescription item can be brought into the country by a visitor and 12 months’ supply by a resident if they can produce a doctor’s letter or a copy of the original prescription. Narcotic items can only be brought into the UAE in exceptional cases with prior permission from the director of medicine and pharmacy control Visitors should contact the Ministry of Health drug control department to check whether their medication is on the controlled list, and needs prior permission for importation.”
Having as little as three grams of morphine in Singapore is sufficient for a death sentence. Similarly, drug offense convictions result in the death penalty in Turkey, Egypt , Malaysia , Indonesia , and Thailand. Malaysia, Singapore, Iran, and Saudi Arabia can impose judicially-sanctioned caning, flogging, lashing , or whipping for drug offenses.
Notably, often Catholic-majority countries have conservative laws regarding oral contraceptives and devices, making them either illegal or very difficult to procure. Some countries will allow a three-month supply of oral contraception; others allow six months. In less-developed countries, access to such medications may be more difficult.
Also, traveling with an epi-Pen, which gives a dose of epinephrine (an adrenaline hormone) , to counteract a severe allergic reaction may also be problematic. An OSAC staff member had difficulty in Paris finding a pharmacy that would fill an epi-Pen prescription and had to special order one to arrive at her next
The contents of this (U) presentation in no way represent the policies, views, or attitudes of the United States Department of State, or the United States Government, except as otherwise noted (e.g., travel advisories, public statements). The presentation was compiled from various open sources and (U) embassy reporting. Please note that all OSAC products are for internal U.S. private sector security purposes only. Publishing or otherwise distributing OSAC-d

FAQs

Why can traveling with prescription medication be risky internationally?

Different countries classify drugs differently, and some prescriptions that are legal in the U.S. may be controlled or unlicensed elsewhere. Incorrect handling or missing required guidance can lead to confiscation and serious legal penalties.

What happened in the case study involving Adderall?

A U.S. citizen was arrested in Nagoya, Japan, after shipping a three-month supply of prescription Adderall. It was illegal in Japan, and the person also repackaged the prescription from the original container, leading to incarceration and later release.

What pre-departure steps should travelers take for medications?

Travelers should consult the treating physician well before departure, confirm that comparable generic names and dosages are available if refills are needed, and clarify insurance coverage. They should also travel with requisite medical documentation, including translated and certified letters and medication regimen details.

Sep 29, 2026

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