Some countries restrict bringing particular drugs across their borders, and your medicine might have specific requirements for packing and storing it.
This guide covers everything you need to know about travelling with medicine.
Different countries have different laws and regulations about medicines.
If you take a medicine that contains a ‘controlled drug’ – one that the Home Office features on its controlled drugs list – you need to be able to prove the drug has been prescribed to you to be able to travel with it.
There are five schedules (tiers) of controlled drugs on the list. It’s a list of the scientific names of drugs that medicines may contain, not a list of medications. You’ll need to cross-check the list of ingredients on your medicine packaging with the list.
Drugs listed as Schedule 1 on the controlled drugs list are usually illegal to travel with. If your medication contains drugs in this category, talk to the Drugs and Firearms Licensing Unit before making travel plans.
If you’re travelling for less than three months with drugs listed as Schedule 2, 3 or 4 on the controlled drugs list, your proof of prescription should be a letter from the qualified doctor who prescribed your medicine.
Make sure this letter includes:
If you’re travelling for three or more months with medicine containing controlled drugs, you will need to apply for a license.
You can do this by filling in a personal import/export license application form, which is free to download on the government website.
If you need a license, apply for it as early as possible – it can take at least ten days to be granted.
You'll also need a license if you’re travelling for less than three months but bringing a supply of controlled drugs that would last you three months or more.
Certain countries have particularly strict drug and medicine regulations.
Some popular examples are:
The best way to make sure you carry restricted substances legally when crossing borders is to contact the embassy of the country you’re travelling to.
Contact details are on the UK government’s online list of foreign embassies.
When travelling with medicine, you should bring:
This information is important if you’re stopped at customs, but it could also help doctors provide the right treatment if you have medical issues on your trip.
Consider having the information translated into the local language.
There are a few things to think about before flying with medication:
Some medicines need special storage conditions. Your pharmacist or doctor can give you specific advice on how to store your medicine – in some cases, it’ll need to be refrigerated.
A solution can be:
Always speak to a professional to make sure you’re using the proper storage method.
If you need more advice, read our guide on travelling with medical conditions.