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Getting your prescription drugs and medical devices on a plane or cruise ship and through customs requires some research. You need to ensure you’ve checked the legal requirements for your destination country(s) and gotten the necessary paperwork.
IMPORTANT NOTE: If you are planning to take any medication with you while traveling, please contact the relevant country's embassy which can best advise you on whether the medication is considered illegal or not, plus any further information or documents you may need in order to travel with your medications. An online search for embassy/country will give you the contact information you need.
Some prescription medicines, which may be legal to use and carry at home, can be illegal in other countries.
Before you travel, ensure you:
Some countries including Singapore, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam, Japan, China, USA, New Zealand, Fiji, and some countries in Europe have their own restrictions and rules around traveling with medicine. In some cases, there is a limit of 30 days on psychotropic or narcotic drugs, regardless of the length of stay.
India, Turkey, Pakistan, and United Arab Emirates have particularly strict lists of medications, permits and registrations.
You may take your prescription medications to India and Pakistan with a supporting letter from your doctor (see above). Ensure you only have enough for your stay (maximum of 90 days) and the letter clearly states they are for personal use only.
There are some stricter regulations on narcotics and psychotropic medications. The International Narcotics Control Board provide general information on travelling with narcotics. However, to date, there is no specific country information provided by either the Indian or Pakistani government. It is advisable to contact your local embassy for specific guidance.
You will be allowed entry with a reasonable amount of prescription medications (depending on length of stay) provided they have documentation from their doctor stating the medications are required during the trip and are for personal use only. Please note that the letter from your doctor needs to be translated into Turkish along with the English version. Some local embassies offer translation services.
Narcotic drugs (such as methodone) or psychotropic substances have their own restrictions.
The United Arab Emirates requires ALL passengers, including those in transit, to register online if they are carrying medications. There is a long list of medications that require registration, and a restriction on the quantity you can carry.
To see a list of medication requiring registration and to register them, go to the Ministry of Health and Prevention's webpage.
Always carry your medication, doctor's letter, and other documents in your carry-on luggage in case your checked-in bag goes missing, is delayed or stolen. You may also need to take your medications in-transit, so you'll need them close by.
Declare any syringes you may have with you for medical reasons to customs.
Try to keep your medication cool and dry. If you need to keep things cool, use a thermos or small cooler bag.
Many pain medications, drugs for addiction and supporting mental health are classified as ‘controlled drugs’, meaning there are special rules for producing, distributing, and using them. These include but are not limited to:
As mentioned above, please consult the local embassy for your destination to get the best advice and necessary paperwork.
All vitamins and supplements need to be carried in their original packaging so their contents can be identified. It may also be worth getting them added to your doctor's letter.
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