Bring my prescription medication?
Your prescription is enough in most of the world. The trouble starts with controlled medicines, and with the handful of countries that ban medicines you can buy at home without a second thought.
Quick answer
Personal amounts of prescription medicine are accepted almost everywhere, as long as they are in the original packaging with your prescription. The exceptions are controlled medicines: strong painkillers, ADHD medication, some sleeping pills and some anxiety medication. Japan, the UAE, Singapore, Thailand and several others require a permit or approval for those before you arrive, and Japan and South Korea ban amphetamine-based ADHD medication such as Adderall outright. Check your exact ingredient, not the brand name, before you fly.
Last reviewed: September 2026. This is general information, not medical or legal advice. Rules depend on the exact active ingredient and change regularly, so confirm with the destination's embassy or the INCB country regulations for travellers before your trip.
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Why the rules differ so much
Everyday medicines rarely cause problems. What countries regulate are controlled substances: medicines that contain narcotic or psychotropic ingredients, such as codeine, tramadol, oxycodone, diazepam, zolpidem, methylphenidate or amphetamine. Each country decides for itself which of these it lets in, in what quantity and with what paperwork, so the same pill can be routine in one country and a serious offence in the next.
Prescription is enough
Personal amounts are fine in original packaging with your prescription. You may be asked to declare them, and a doctor's letter still helps for controlled medicines.
Permit for some meds
Regular medicines are fine, but controlled medicines need a permit, approval or certificate arranged before you travel, often with a quantity limit.
Some meds banned
Certain medicines that are ordinary at home are not allowed in at all, even with a prescription. Everything else follows permit rules.
How to pack it
Five habits that make customs a non-event, wherever you go.
- Keep it in the original packagingWith the pharmacy label showing your name. Unlabelled pills in a weekly organiser are the most common reason for questions at customs.
- Carry the prescription and a doctor's letterThe letter should list each medicine by its generic name, the dose and the total quantity. Brand names differ between countries, generic names don't.
- Pack it in your hand luggageChecked bags get delayed. Liquid medicines over 100 ml are allowed through airport security in most countries when you show them with proof they're needed.
- Bring only what the trip needsThe length of your stay plus a few spare days. Large quantities are what turn a personal supply into a question about intent to sell.
- Check the exact ingredient before you bookLook up the active ingredient on the destination's official rules, and apply early where a permit is needed: approvals can take a week or more.
Official starting points: the INCB country regulations for travellers, and for the UK, travelling with controlled drugs on GOV.UK.
Frequently asked
In almost every country, yes, as long as it is for your own use, in a reasonable amount and in its original packaging with your prescription. The exceptions are controlled medicines, such as strong painkillers, ADHD medication, some sleeping pills and some anxiety medication. Several countries, including Japan, the UAE, Singapore and Thailand, require a permit or approval for those before you arrive, and a few ban certain common medicines outright.
Plan on the amount you need for the trip plus a few spare days. Common limits are around 30 days' supply (Japan, and Thailand for controlled medicines) up to about 3 months (Singapore, the UAE, Australia and the UK for controlled medicines with a doctor's letter). Bringing more than the limit usually needs a permit or import certificate arranged in advance.
It is always a good idea and for controlled medicines it is often required. A short letter from your doctor on letterhead, listing your name, the diagnosis in general terms, each medicine by its generic name, the dose and the total quantity, answers nearly every question at customs. Keep it with your medication in your hand luggage.
It depends heavily on the country. Many treat ADHD medication as a controlled substance. Japan and South Korea do not allow amphetamine-based medication such as Adderall at all. Singapore, the UAE and Thailand require approval before you travel. Inside the Schengen Area you need a Schengen certificate from your home country if you travel between Schengen states. Check the destination's rules for your exact ingredient well before departure.
Treat it as a no. Many countries, including Singapore, the UAE and Indonesia, treat any cannabis product, CBD included, as an illegal drug with severe penalties, and cannabis cannot legally cross the US or Canadian border even where it is legal locally. Japan only allows CBD products with no THC at all. A prescription from home does not change this.