In this article, we’ll discuss what to do and what not to do when travelling abroad with medication.
When travelling with medicine it’s understandable that you may have some concerns. It’s possible for the medication to be confiscated or even destroyed if you are not aware of the rules regarding drugs at your destination.
In mild cases, you may have your medication taken away from you. In much more severe instances where countries have strict unforgiving rules, people may wind up seeking advice from drug trafficking lawyers.
Although this sounds scary, travelling with small quantities of medication for personal use is very unlikely to lead to these types of consequences. However, it’s incredibly important that you prepare before you travel with drugs and take every step to ensure you are following the rules.
Here are the dos and don’ts of travelling with drugs…
Have a Copy of Your Prescription
When travelling with drugs one thing that you should always do is have a copy of your prescription on hand. This can be used as proof that the medication you are carrying is for personal use and not for redistribution.
It’s important to note that sometimes your prescription may have to be translated into another language in order to be accepted.
In some countries, you may be required to have additional paperwork in order to travel with medication. For example, a letter from a GP. Before you travel make sure you have researched exactly what information you may need.
Keep Medication in its Original Packaging
Additionally, keeping any medication you are travelling with is a great way to easily show what it is. This should be carried in your carry-on bag.
By transporting any necessary drugs in your carry-on within their original packaging you protect yourself from situations in which your luggage, and there for your medication, is lost.
If you have to divide your medication, try to split it between bags so that you always have the medication you need if anything goes wrong.
Check the Rules Regarding Drugs
No matter where you are travelling it’s important to always find out what rules they enforce regarding medication. Even if you have been to this location before there may have been changes to regulations that you are not aware of.
Across the world there are a number of different types of drugs that are commonly restricted, for example:
• Morphine
• Codeine
• Antidepressants
• Sleeping pills
• Types of ADHD medication
It can be easy to wrongly assume that you can take things like your sleeping pills or medication you take daily with you when you go on holiday or visit family. However, no matter what type of drug you require, it’s important to check the rules.
In particular places like Mexico, Japan, Pakistan and Greece all have strict regulations regarding the type of drugs that can be brought into the country.
Consider Transit Countries You May Travel Through
In many cases, you may not be able to travel directly to your destination and could have to transit through a number of other areas before you arrive at your destination. If this happens it’s important that you have also considered the rules regarding the transportation of drugs in the countries that you’re passing through.
For example, you may not need a letter from your GP to travel safely into your destination country with your prescribed medication, but it could be necessary to have the letter anyway for another point within your journey.
What Quantity of Drugs Will You be Traveling With?
Finally, it’s always important to consider the amount of medication that you will be travelling with. For times when you are going to be away from home for a long period of time, you may need more medication than you may be allowed to travel with.
In these instances, you may need a personal license or to provide further documentation when travelling. If you are not allowed to travel with the correct quantity of medication that you will need, it may be necessary for you to consider speaking to your GP regarding your options.
Dos and Don’ts of Travelling with Drugs
Travelling with drugs does not have to be stressful or result in delays or the seizure of your medication.
The best way to prepare for travelling with drugs is to do your research and ensure that you are following the rule of every country or area you will be visiting whilst you are away. Make sure that you do this with plenty of time before your travels so that you have the time to get letters from your GP, print your prescription, and get other forms of documentation you may need.
Please be advised that this article is for general informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for advice from a drug trafficking lawyer. Be sure to consult a lawyer and your GP if you need advice for travelling with drugs. We are not liable for risks or issues associated with using or acting upon the information on this site.
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